AFTER HOURS: WHAT WENT DOWN AT OUR BIGSOUND 2023 PARTY

On a warm Spring afternoon in early September, Matthew Craig flew north to Brisbane’s infamous Fortitude Valley for the annual BIGSOUND conference. A whirlwind trip lasting less than 24 hours, the destination was Stranded Bar for the latest instalment of our involvement in the conference – this year an exclusive party co-presented with Amazon Music for their After Hours series.

Buzz around town was this this was to be THE hip-hop showcase off the conference. With a line-up featuring viral sensations CULT SHOTTA, rising wunderkind SAHXL, formidable emcee POOKIE, the notorious ECB, and Hotter Out West head honcho SOLLYY, it was not hard to see why. Add local tastemakers DHEM and BXWDY to the bill, holding down the vibes throughout the evening, and we were guaranteed a wild night. And with the venue packing out merely ten minutes after doors opened, it was to say mission accomplished.

Check out all the highlights as well as our backstage interviews with the line-up over on our Youtube.

Wester Sydney producer/emcee SOLLY kicked off the night, setting the room alight with his high-energy combo of rap and electronica.

ECB and their associates mobbed out the stage with their brash energy and hard-hitting lyricism.

POOKIE captured everyone’s attention with a bold display and ensured her name was on everyone’s lips as they left Brisbane.

SAHXL brought his polished brand of late-night R&B / hip-hop to the stage, entrancing all in attendance.

Despite a leg injury to Charlie X, CULT SHOTTA closed out the event with a typical iconic performance.