Sounds Like Community Radio Returns to Brisbane for BIGSOUND 2026

Milly Strange, Djarraway, Public Figures, Say True God?, Superhotel and Joey Leigh Wagtail will perform at 4ZZZ on September 2, with the AMRAP BIGSOUND Listening Sessions following on September 3.

Community radio is getting another big moment during BIGSOUND, with Sounds Like Community Radio returning to Meanjin, Brisbane, for a free afternoon of live music, broadcasting and connection at 4ZZZ.

Taking place from 1pm to 6pm on Wednesday 2 September, the event will bring together artists, presenters and stations from around the country at 4ZZZ, 264 Barry Parade, Fortitude Valley.

Presented by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia’s Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP), the event celebrates the people, stations and volunteers who continue to support Australian music every week.

Sounds Like Community Radio will be broadcast live, with performances coming from both the 4ZZZ studio and the station’s iconic Zed Carpark. Guest presenters from community stations around Australia will also join the broadcast, introducing artists, sharing stories and crossing live to performances.

Participating stations include 4ZZZFM, Triple R, PBS 106.7FM, Three D Radio, Edge Radio, SYN 90.7FM and fbi.radio, with the event also being broadcast nationally through the Community Radio Network.

The lineup brings together artists working across very different corners of the Australian music landscape.

Djarraway combines roots, reggae and First Nations storytelling, incorporating traditional language and culture into his performances.

Naarm/Melbourne songwriter Milly Strange brings intimate, folk-inspired songwriting together with alt-rock grit and raw emotion.

Joey Leigh Wagtail, a Dunghutti artist, draws on folk, blues and country traditions while exploring identity and belonging through his music.

Brisbane favourites Superhotel bring alternative country rock with melodic indie influences, while punk outfit Public Figures add an uncompromising, high-energy sound and social commentary.

Rounding out the lineup is Mandandanji and Waanyi hip-hop artist Say True God?, whose lyricism and soulful production have established him as one of the exciting voices emerging from Australia’s contemporary hip-hop scene.

There is also some serious weight behind the community radio network itself.

The sector reaches more than 5.4 million listeners every week through a network of more than 450 licensed stations, providing an important platform for local artists, diverse voices and music that might otherwise struggle to find an audience.

Research led by Monash University and Griffith University found that community radio contributes more than $153 million each year to Australia’s music economy.

Its influence can also be seen in what listeners do after discovering an artist. Approximately 1.3 million Australians purchase tickets, merchandise or music after discovering artists through community radio, while more than 390,960 hours of Australian music are broadcast across the sector annually.

For emerging artists, that makes community radio more than just another promotional outlet. It remains one of the places where programmers actively seek out new Australian music and where listeners can discover artists before they reach a much wider audience.

The following day is for the artists

The community radio focus continues on Thursday 3 September with the return of the AMRAP BIGSOUND Listening Sessions.

Running from 10am to 2pm at The Warrar Room, The Precinct, Level 2, 315 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, the sessions give artists the opportunity to sit down with the music programmers and presenters behind some of Australia’s leading community stations.

The idea is pretty straightforward: get new music in front of the people responsible for deciding what makes it onto community radio playlists.

Artists preparing a new single, planning a release campaign or looking to build momentum around their music can receive direct feedback and practical advice about what can help a track stand out for community radio airplay.

Representatives from 4ZZZFM, Triple R, PBS 106.7FM, Three D Radio, Edge Radio, SYN 90.7FM and fbi.radio will be available throughout the sessions.

Artists will have the chance to discuss their music, learn more about how community radio programming works and find out how AMRAP connects Australian musicians with broadcasters across the country.

The sessions are open to BIGSOUND delegates, artists and music industry professionals, with spaces limited and bookings essential.

Across the two days, the program offers a look at both sides of the community radio relationship — the artists making the music and the people working behind the microphones to get it heard.

For a sector built around local voices, independent music and people who genuinely care about what they’re playing, that’s still a pretty important connection.