Not many people can say they were flown to Australia’s largest music industry gathering in their third week on the job. But at Support Act, a round-trip to Meanjin/Brisbane for BIGSOUND is just one of the many perks of joining this incredible organisation.

As Support Act’s new Communications & Marketing Coordinator, I had the privilege of witnessing some of the nation’s best and budding new artists, while also seeing our own team deliver a number of meaningful panels and workshops.

These sessions tackled some of the most pressing issues in music today – from the complexities and joys of juggling parenthood as a First Nations artist to finding your anchor as a creative in the face of burnout and imposter syndrome.

Day 1 
BIGSOUND kicked off with Yarning Strong: Pass the Mic, Not the Trauma: Navigating Parenthood in the Industry, hosted by music innovator Fred Leone and featuring artists Flewnt, Kelly Hellmrich (Bad Apples Music) and BARKAA.

The panel delved into the realities of raising children while building music careers, with discussions centred on balance, healing and resilience. Speakers reflected on how cultural connection, community and storytelling create healthier pathways for the next generation.

“Support Act spotted what was happening in our industries and put their hand up. We’re really grateful for Support Act for stepping up and looking after the health and wellbeing of all these artists – and of all of us.” – Fred Leone

Day Two
This was a full one for Support Act, starting with Conversation Corner, hosted by our Crisis Relief Team in the warm surrounds of Brewdog. Here, artists sat down for candid conversations about the realities of working in music, with chats ranging from financial pressures to navigating mental health.

In the afternoon, I had the chance to watch Support Act psychologist, Dr Ash King, join the panel Leave Britney Alone: Navigating Notoriety. In an age of constant surveillance and exposure, this conversation explored the pressures of visibility in a changing world, where social and humanitarian issues often fall to artists to comment on.

“Given the emergence of social media and how we can all exist in online spaces, the lines between ‘who am I?’ and ‘what my brand is?’ has become really blurred. Not just for artists or people putting themselves out there publicly but anyone who has some sort of digital presence online.” – Dr Ash King

Day Three
To close the conference, Dr Ash King invited artists to reflect on how emotional regulation, self-awareness and psychological safety shape their capacity to take creative risks and produce authentic work.

Through a mix of guided practices and open dialogue, participants explored how tending to their inner world can unlock deeper connection, clarity and creative momentum.

One moment that stayed with me was this reminder:

“Every artist has a reason they keep coming back, even through rejection, burnout or chaos. That ‘why’ is both your anchor and your compass.”

Across three days at BIGSOUND, it was clear just how vital these conversations are for the health and sustainability of our music community. From parenthood and cultural connection, to navigating burnout, notoriety and creative resilience, the sessions led and supported by Support Act underscored that wellbeing is inseparable from artistry.

For me personally, it was inspiring to witness the generosity with which artists shared their stories, and to see the Support Act team create spaces where those stories could be heard, validated and celebrated.

_{Words and photography by Isabella Oliveria}