Our BIGSOUND Country Must Sees and Q&A!
- Charlotte Poynton
- Aug 15
- 5 min read
The shiny city life can sometimes trap us in a bubble, away from the boot-scootin' goodness that our Queensland based country artists have to offer! This BIGSOUND, there's an absolutely impeccable curation of country acts ready to blow your mind, and we sat down with some of our top picks and asked some questions to get to know them!
A true genre-defying powerhouse, Josh Setterfield is here and bringing a rockier edge to your traditional idea of country music. Touring across the world, hitting ARIA chart peaks, and gaining a legion of fans along the way, Josh Setterfield will inspire you to pair your boots with your studded collars after his high energy, pop-punk-infused country performance.
Showcase times:
Wednesday the 3rd - 11:30pm at Birdees
Thursday the 4th - 9.30pm at Honky Tonks
Q: What can audiences expect from your BIGSOUND showcase performance?
A: "We aim to do one thing, entertain the crowd! I'm not about just standing there and playing the songs. My band and I bring an energetic stage presence and it's what we pride ourselves on the most! Our current show is inspired by stadium style shows... So we are gonna do our best to scale that down to a small stage while keeping the big energy at BIGSOUND!"
Q: If you had to summarise yourself and your music in five words or less, what would you say?
A: "Unapologetically me. Only need 2 haha."
Q: What is one thing people should know about you as an artist?
A: "I'm not your stereotype country artist. I like to do things differently than what's usually expected from an artist in my genre. Pushing boundaries is what myself and my team are best at."
Q: What are your BIGSOUND 2025 staples?
A: "Checking out all the artists and seeing what Australia has to offer! Food can wait!"
Q: Who are your favourite Aussie acts at the moment?
A: "Might sound cliche, but really liking a lot of the artists in the country scene alongside me! Country is booming right now worldwide, and what many Aussies don't realise, is heaps of the new upcoming country pop & rock acts on our own doorstep would fit on the international stage! Take a look at the smaller acts, you may just find your new favourite artist!"
Country darling Tyla Rodrigues is about to make the streets of the valley feel like the heart of Nashville with her charming lyrics and bubbly stage presence. With a recently released EP and a stack of mind-blowing festival performances under her belt (and an upcoming performance at Howlin' Country in 2026!), Tyla Rodrigues is ready to steal your heart at the showcase!
Showcase times:
Tuesday the 2nd - 10:30pm at Birdees
Thursday the 4th - 8:30pm at Honky Tonks
Q: What can audiences expect from your BIGSOUND showcase performance?
A: "You can expect high energy, emotion and plenty of good ole country music!! My set is all about storytelling—whether it’s a toe-tapper or a tear-jerker, I want people to feel something real. Expect raw vocals, harmonies, and a band that knows how to bring the energy."
Q: If you had to summarise yourself and your music in five words or less, what would you say?
A: "Heartfelt, soulful, authentic, modern storyteller"
Q: What is one thing people should know about you as an artist?
A: "I write from lived experience. If I’ve felt it, it’s probably found its way into a song—and that’s what keeps my music real and my love for it strong."
Q: What are your BIGSOUND 2025 staples?
A: "I’m always hitting up Joe’s Deli, for the best sandwiches you will ever eat in your life!! But I always fall victim to a stop into the EzyMart for my favourite snacks…"
Q: Who are your favourite Aussie acts at the moment?
A: "There’s so much Australian talent around, it’s an exciting time to be in Aussie country. Some of my favourite acts currently include Mack Geiger, Briana Dinsdale, I also love The Wet Whistles"
Bringing the fiery heat then the sweetness to cool the crowd down is your new favourite country star, Josie! With a dash of her North Queensland roots in every tune, Josie's lyrical songwriting shines as she shares her stories and invites you along to experience the real life of a country gal.
Showcase times:
Tuesday the 2nd - 7:15pm at Honky Tonks
Wednesday the 3rd - 4:30pm at Brunswick Street Mall Stage
Wednesday the 3rd - 10:30pm at Ric's Backyard
Q: What can audiences expect from your BIGSOUND showcase performance?
A: "It's gonna take audiences on quite a ride - from songs about backyard shindigs, to growing up in a road train, to mental health struggles working on the land - I tell these stories with the grit and passion that they deserve, making sure audiences feel like they're right in the middle of them."
Q: If you had to summarise yourself and your music in five words or less, what would you say?
A: "Rockin' with heart, grit & drive."
Q: What is one thing people should know about you as an artist?
A: "Everything that I sing comes from a real place, usually covered in a bitta red dirt ;)"
Q: What are your BIGSOUND 2025 staples?
A: "This is my very first BIGSOUND, so honestly, I'll be on the lookout for other artists' staples to get me through! Coffee recs anyone?"
Q: Who are your favourite Aussie acts at the moment?
A: "Genuinely, in love with the Aussie country artist spread BIGSOUND has curated this year - everyone is doing the thing and making moves in the industry, so I'm honoured to be part of such a brilliant group."
Bringing his meticulously crafted sound and acoustic guitar along to the BIGSOUND showcase this year is Jet Walker, a name you're about to be adding to all of your playlists. With three songs out that'll easily get stuck in your head, Jet Walker is one to watch and keep on your radar as he'll be known across the country in no time.
Showcase times:
Tuesday the 2nd - 7.15pm at The Wickham
Thursday the 4th - 11.30pm at Honky Tonks
Q: What can audiences expect from your BIGSOUND showcase performance?
A: "The audience can expect some great music, average singing and shit yarns."
Q: If you had to summarise yourself and your music in five words or less, what would you say?
A: "Mediocre muso, XXXX gold demon."
Q: What is one thing people should know about you as an artist?
A: "I love long, romantic walks on the beach... with a stubby in my hand."
Q: What are your BIGSOUND 2025 staples?
A: "My staples for BIGSOUND 2025 would have to be - a few instruments, a thick preshow parmi from the local, one durry, and i can't seem to remember the last one... oh yes... beers."
Q: Who are your favourite Aussie acts at the moment?
A: "Big fan of Adam Reynolds and Dozer, just to name a couple. Quite underground but seriously unbelievable!"
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