Set to be held in September, premier music showcase and conference event BIGSOUND has announced Goolwal Goolwal, its First Nations curated and led program.

Translated from the traditional Yuggera language, Goolwal Goolwal is set to take place in Magandjin's Fortitude Valley from 3-6 September.

With BIGSOUND proudly celebrating and platforming Indigenous voices, the Indigenous-led initiative has been curated by a range of key voices that make up the Goolwal Goolwal team.

The Elders-in-Residence Uncle Kevin Starkey (Nurrunga/Adnyamathanha and Saibai Torres Strait Islander) and Toni Janke (Wuthathi, Yadighana and Meriam); First Nations Music Officer Sue Ray (Gamilaroi/Gomeroi), Producer Kearna Kemister (Wiradjuri), First Nations Support Officer Natalie Lingwoodock (Birri/Kungarri/Byelee/Kabi Kabi/South Sea); and the First Nations Consultancy Group.

Artists performing at a previous year's Goolwal Goolwal event. (Image: bigsound.org.au)

2024 Goolwal Goolwal Elders-in-Residence, Uncle Kev Starkey and Toni Janke said seeing the growth and interaction between First Nations creatives and artists with the broader music industry is exciting for the First Nations community.

"Being the inaugural Elder in Residence for QMusic and BIGSOUND back in 2022, it has been firstly an honour to be able to stand in representation of all First Peoples of this country, Uncle Kev said.

"It has been equally a privilege, as well as exciting, to watch the growth and interaction between First Nations Creatives and Artists and the broader Music Industry."

Fellow Elder-in-Residence Toni Janke said it's exciting to be part of Goolwal Goolwal and QMusic's BIGSOUND 2024 program.

"The strong presence of First Nations artists and arts workers from not only Queensland, but right across the country, is testimony to the fact that First Nations culture is loud and proud," Janke said.

"Music is part of our DNA and we want to showcase First Nations music to the broader community and to the world at large as the oldest surviving culture on the planet.

"Ours is a culture that is alive, vibrant and dynamic – ever-evolving and renewing itself through language, song, creativity and cultural expression in all its forms."

With a program dedicated to empowering and amplifying Indigenous voices, the BIGSOUND team have also announced the Goolwal Garden, this year's First Nations House, located at The Sound Garden.

The Garden will act as the heart of the Goolwal Goolwal program, hosting three days of thought-provoking panels, electrifying showcases, performances, exclusive events, art exhibitions and most importantly - a community.

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Goolwal Goolwal initiative offers powerful opportunities to grow and showcase First Nations music programming and management and deliver significant market development outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

"The Queensland Government supports QMusic's extensive Goolwal Goolwal program within BIGSOUND, investing $1.2 million over four years into the initiative, to position Queensland as a global centre for First Nations contemporary music in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," she said.

"Goolwal Goolwal delivers on key priorities of this government's Creative Together 2020– 2030 strategy including elevating First Nations arts, sharing our stories and celebrating our storytellers."

QMusic First Nations Music Officer Sue Ray expressed her excitement in the program's return as well as QMusic's ongoing involvement.

"As First Nations Music Officer at QMusic, I have been increasingly impressed and inspired by the depth and breadth of the First Nations talent we have in this Country," Ms Ray said.

"To be involved in producing and delivering the Goolwal Goolwal program has been intensely rewarding. I'm proud of the work our First Nations team at QMusic has achieved this year in the production of the Goolwal Goolwal program, and so excited to have the world experience the very best our Country has to offer.

"There will be workshops, yarning sessions, showcases and more, and to witness so many artists, industry professionals and community come together to connect, elevate, and celebrate all things First Nations, will be so inspiring and rewarding."

With a schedule of engaging events and activities, this year's Goolwal Goolwal program has several notable highlights guests can look forward to.

Goolwal Goolwal commences with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony hosted by Shannon Ruska from Tribal Experiences on BIGSOUND opening day.

This will be followed by Biki Karumba Chari Chari (Welcome Big Feast), where conference delegates are invited to a culinary experience showcasing the rich flavours of Indigenous Australian cuisine, led by Chef Tanika Orr, at the Fortitude Music Hall.

Deadly Goolwal Goolwal events throughout the week will include a keynote session, Songman: Fred Leone In Conversation, where the traditional Butchulla songman will share wisdom about the importance of honouring his role as songman and custodian of the traditional songs of his tribe and how it intersects with his contemporary music career - from hip-hop on Country to Eurovision.

The remainder of the program will see a series of events including In Conversation with Zaachariaha Fielding and a night of Aboriginal techno and cultural celebration featuring First Nations DJs and producers Tongberang'i Ngarrga Inc at Leengkeel Karweeyn (Big Dance).

BIGSOUND has also announced a series of free Goolwal Goolwal events, accessible to all, held at Goolwal Garden and the open-air JBL Live at BIGSOUND Stage, located in Fortitude Valley's Brunswick Street Mall.

At the JBL Live at BIGSOUND Stage there will be more free shows, including Blak Label Presents: 'Proppa Deadly' performance that embodies vibrant and diverse emerging Indigenous musicians of the contemporary scene in so-called Australia; the Tin Camp Studios Celebration for healing through sharing; and INCUBATED presented by AUM, where in First Nations artists and creatives will be celebrated through a curated performance.

Tickets to BIGSOUND's conference and festival are available now via the event's website.

For more fashion, beauty and lifestyle news subscribe for free to the Style Up newsletter.