It’s a cool spring night as music industry bigwigs, fans and volunteers mingle and check out some of the local and interstate talent at various venues around the Valley for the first showcase night of Big Sound.

There are a number of people eager to catch the first band at Artisan Gallery. DZ are the duo tearing it up onstage, and as soon as they begin everyone moves under the marquee for a closer look. Their brand of thrash indie punk is well known around Brisbane, and tonight they are energetic and get a few people dancing around. They have a raw sound, and the distorted riffs and beats within each song are simple but effective. The crowd are impressed.

Hungry Kids Of Hungary are up next and this is the band that everyone is here to see, as the small carpark area behind the Gallery is now packed with industry folk and Hungry Kids Of Hungary fans. Their indie-pop tunes are catchy and sweet. Scattered Diamonds is the standout of the set, and the light melodies from the local foursome are well received.

Sydney three piece and 2008 Unearthed winners Philadelphia Grand Jury (or The Philly Jays as they are fondly referred to) are the third band to grace the stage. Providing more indie-pop goodness, the crowd hangs around for their entertaining show. A new drummer doesn’t seem to be a problem as Going To The Casino (Tomorrow Night) and I Don’t Want To Party get the people dancing and the enthusiasm onstage spreads. MC Bad Genius climbs the stage set, leaps off the stage and thrusts his guitar at a random guy before dramatically storming out of the venue altogether. Their fun set raises the bar for the remaining two bands.

The fourth act tonight, another local treat, are the Rocketsmiths. They hit the stage with force, and continue their at breakneck speed. At times the vocals and riffs are a bit distorted and the whole thing seems too scattered but that is the chaos that they are known for. They pull it off though, and the folk-punk songs are played well for the considerably smaller crowd that remains.

The final band in tonight’s showcase, and the only international act on the bill, are Auckland’s Sola Rosa. The funk and hip hop styles mix so well with the jazz, dub and lounge beats and everyone that remains is moving to the music. The diversity of this band and the way the members are so intimately in tune with their instruments is brilliant. They have some fantastic tunes and it is a shame that so many people missed out on a great end to the evening.