Jaguar Jonze leads voices at powerhouse 2022 Bigsound

After years of advocating for the music industry’s reform following her own experience with abuse, Jaguar Jonze will share her story at Bigsound as one of the many speakers in Brisbane’s 2022 event.

Bigsound is back in Brisbane with its loudest voices yet.

After Covid-19 interruptions have hampered the event since 2020, Bigsound, now in its 21st year, will have 150 artists perform in venues across Fortitude Valley’s live music precinct from Tuesday to Friday, presenting a platform for Australia’s most promising new talent, such as soulful Brisbane singer Dean Brady and local pop duo WIIGZ.

It is also Australia’s largest music conference uniting key industry figures, with this year’s keynote speakers including Brisbane singer and activist Jaguar Jonze, rapper Example, Mushroom Group chief executive Matt Gudinksi, and Grammy-winning producer Che Pope.

Zoe Hilditch and Hannah Brydon from WIIGZ, and Jaguar Jonze and Dean Brady at The Zoo ahead of Bigsound this week. Picture: Richard Walker

“I’ve been attending Bigsound for many years trying to build a sustainable career as an artist,” Jonze said.

“To now come back as a keynote speaker and be performing a secret show feels like a really great landmark of growth in my career and my value in the industry.”

A survivor of sexual assault, Jonze has been a fierce advocate for change and accountability in Australia’s music industry, becoming a key figure in its reform in recent years, which has also inspired her music.

It comes after last week’s release of the Raising Their Voices report, an independent investigation into the industry Jonze was closely involved with.

“I’m looking forward to sharing my story because for so long I’ve been advocating and putting that advocacy before my artistry,” she said.

Brisbane singer-songwriter Jaguar Jonze released her debut album Bunny Mode this year. Picture: She Is Aphrodite

“I am a lot more than my abuse... I am also a human being with many stories and hopefully it gives insight into the resilience and attitude behind my project for Jaguar Jonze.”

Jonze will present her multimedia speech at Cloudland on Thursday.

“I hope people understand when they are in the room and when they walk into other rooms that they have responsibility and power and to use that for good, really,” she said.

“I hope we rebuild the humanity in this industry and show the world that, despite our creativity, we are also a passionate group of people that cares for each other as well.”

Other performers throughout the week include Queensland emerging stars Greta Stanley, Hope D and Jem Cassar-Daley.