QMusic Expands Concert Care at BIGSOUND 2026 with Auslan Concierge, Live Captioning and Strobe-Free Venues

QMusic has broadened its Concert Care initiative for BIGSOUND 2026, the Brisbane‑based festival that runs from 1–4 September, by adding an Auslan Concierge service, live captioning for every conference session, and the first strobe‑free showcase venues in the event’s history.

The move is part of a larger push to tighten safety, accessibility and inclusion across the festival. In its fifth year, Concert Care will operate as a whole‑of‑event program during BIGSOUND, anchored by a dedicated hub at 400 Rabbits that will open from 9 am until midnight on Thursday, September 3. The hub will be staffed by accessibility support workers and Mental Health First Aiders, offering a sensory‑friendly space where attendees can seek help, ask accessibility questions or simply take a break.

Since its launch in 2021, Concert Care has built a framework that includes dedicated support spaces, roaming crews, education and event safety systems. For BIGSOUND 2026, the program will deploy a roaming crew that will circulate across all venues. Team members will be easy to spot in bright blue vests and will act as active bystanders throughout the precinct.

All conference sessions at The Fortitude Music Hall, The Outpost and The Precinct will now feature live captioning. Selected sessions that cover sensitive topics will also have a trained therapeutic support person available during and immediately after the event, thanks to a partnership with Hey Mate.

A pilot Auslan Concierge Service will let delegates request an Auslan interpreter to accompany them to chosen events across the BIGSOUND program. The service is designed to support attendees who use Australian Sign Language, ensuring that the festival’s content is accessible to the deaf community.

The expanded initiative aligns with the Queensland Night‑Life Economy Commissioner’s 2026 report and the Queensland Night‑Life Economy Action Plan 2026‑2032. Commissioner John “JC” Collins AM said the Concert Care model demonstrates how safety, wellbeing and active support can be built into an event from the start. He added that BIGSOUND, which brings together artists, audiences, venues and industry across a walkable precinct, shows that “safety is not just about responding when something goes wrong, but about building the culture, systems and support that help people feel confident, included and safe in the first place.”

QMusic CEO Kristy Ellis echoed this sentiment, stating that the program reflects the organisation’s commitment to creating a music industry where people can participate safely and confidently. Ellis added that Concert Care is “about more than responding when something goes wrong. It’s about creating the culture, systems and support that help people feel safe in the first place.”

Looking ahead, QMusic plans to use BIGSOUND 2026 as a showcase for the Concert Care model before expanding the program in 2027. The organisation is exploring opportunities to share the framework, resources and services with other venues, festivals and music communities across Queensland.

The Concert Care expansion at BIGSOUND 2026 represents a concrete step toward making live music events more inclusive and safer for all attendees. By adding Auslan interpretation, live captioning, strobe‑free venues and dedicated support spaces, QMusic is setting a new standard for accessibility in the Australian music festival landscape.

At present, Concert Care will operate across BIGSOUND 2026 with the new services in place, and QMusic will continue to refine and expand the program in the following years.