The spotlight will again fall on the music of Singapore at Bigsound.

The National Arts Council Singapore (NAC) is behind a showcase during the annual industry pow-pow, which the organisation hopes will build bridges between both countries, TIO can exclusively reveal.

A selection panel featuring Australian music biz and media professionals will have a hand in selecting the performers, alongside their industry counterparts from Singapore and reps from NAC. The Aussie panel includes Nik Tripp (3RRR), Larry Heath (AU Review/Music Sales), Mel Dine (The Push Inc. / Fizzy Management) and Mia Besorio (Archetype Media / Crush Club Records).

Also, Australian digital marketing businesses Jaden Social and PR agency Rare Finds are tasked with helping the selected Singaporean artists with greater support for market development.

NAC’s Deputy Director of Sector Development (Performing Arts and Music) Mr Kok Tse Wei says Singapore’s “most promising” acts will get their chance to shine this September. “We also look forward to further strengthen the close ties and shared experiences between Singapore and Australia through the exchange of artistic content and networks,” he adds.

The inaugural showcase at Bigsound 2016 was “a revelation,” enthuses Q Music CEO and Bigsound Executive Producer, Joel Edmondson, introducing the likes of folk singer-songwriter iNCH, instrumental progressive-rockers In Each Hand a Cutlass, rapper THELIONCITYBOY and electronic improvisation act KIV, comprised of Kiat, Intriguant and Vandetta, a performer at last year’s summit in Brisbane.

Adds Edmondson, “One of Bigsound’s key ambitions over the next five years is to create closer ties between Australia and the Asian music markets, so this partnership with NAC Singapore is really important to us, as well as everyone at Bigsound looking to extend their networks north.”

Bigsound 2018 will be held in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley from September 4-7. The roll call of keynote speakers for the daytime program includes Virginia Grohl (Dave’s mom) and The Annex founder Mardi Caught.

:: #OverheardAtBIGSOUND 2017

In other Bigsound news, finalists and winners at Monday night’s Queensland Music Awards will have their very own, dedicated showcase at Bigsound for the first time. Edmondson announced the development on stage at the QMAs at the Royal International Convention Centre, where Amy Shark triumphed with five wins. Also on the night, industry veteran Stuart Watters was made a lifetime Q Music member for his services to the Queensland music business and his role in driving Bigsound.

The article was originally published on The Industry Observer