More keynote speakers and first headline acts have been announced for this year’s Big Sound, with the music industry conference and showcase taking place in Brisbane again this September.

Now in its ninth year, the event will welcome a host of music industry gurus, led by renowned music journalist Michael Azzerad and the Hoodoo Gurus’ Dave Faulkner. Other newly announced speakers include Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes, The Break), Tim Levinson (Urthboy, The Herd) and Michael Gudinski, founder of Mushroom Music – the home of Gyroscope and Cloud Control.

Children Collide and the John Steel Singers will head the event’s live music element, taking place at six venues across Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. Other acts announced so far include Boy & Bear, The Vasco Era and Last Dinosaurs. In the last few years, playing at the Big Sound showcase has brought significant success to bands like the Middle East and The Temper Trap.