Showcase Opportunity: Indigenous North at BIGSOUND

May 15, 2025

Manitoba Music is looking for expressions of interest from Manitoba-based Indigenous artists who are looking to develop business relationships in Australia.

This project will involve partnering with BIGSOUND to present two Manitoba-based Indigenous artists at showcase and networking activities at the Australian music festival in Brisbane. This showcase will be a spotlight performance as part of the festival’s First Nations Goolwal Goolwal program, with potential for a second BIGSOUND showcase to be added.

Participants will be responsible for booking and paying for their own travel to Brisbane, Australia. Participants will be eligible for support through the Market Access Fund, but the funding does not cover full costs. BIGSOUND will provide showcasing artists with accommodations (one room) and ground transportation to/from the airport and key events.

To be selected for this opportunity, you should:

• Be a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis artist or group. For the purposes of this project, we define:
  • Indigenous solo artists as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis recording artists who release original music under their legal name or a singular stage name.
  • Duos/groups as having at least half of the people who appear in the latest promotional photos be First Nation, Inuit, or Métis.
• Be a Manitoba Music member and a current resident of Manitoba
• Be an export-ready artist (able to capitalize on international activities and opportunities))
• Have recent professional career activity (e.g. recent or upcoming release: demo/EP/LP/single; tour; festival sets; industry showcases; media coverage)
• Be 18 years of age or older (applies to all band members)
• Be able to perform a 20-30 minute showcase of original (or originally arranged) music
• Be available to participate in festival, conference, networking, and cultural exchange activities in Brisbane, AU From September 1 – 5, 2025
• Have the financial capacity to undertake travel to Australia
• Have a passport or ability to travel to Australia
• Be available for an introductory meeting 2 – 8 weeks prior to the event via Zoom

Submissions will be evaluated by a selection committee of industry professionals based on:

• Quality of music, songwriting, composition
• Track record
• Export readiness
• Social media presence
• Rationale for the showcase
• Relevance to the Australian market
• Momentum, demonstrated in your bio and recent accomplishments in existing or other projects

Event Details:

• Delegate passes and delegate portal access will be provided
• Performing artists will receive artist accreditation
• This mission includes a Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony and an international cultural exchange in addition to the spotlight performance
• BIGSOUND will provide basic backline and production
• Possible opportunity for a second showcase performance at BIGSOUND

Important Dates (2025):

Application deadline: Thursday, June 5 at 11:59 PM

Notification date: Thursday, June 12

Showcase date: TBC, September 2-5

Tentative suggested travel dates (to be confirmed): Friday, August 29, 2025 (Arrive in Brisbane early in the day on Monday, September 1); depart Brisbane Saturday, September 6

For more info or if you are having issues with the form or need accommodations throughout the application process, please reach out:

Cassidy Mann
Indigenous Music Development Coordinator
Manitoba Music
Treaty 1 Territory
cassidy@manitobamusic.com

NT5