KRIS STEWART
Artistic & Executive Director
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - QMUSIC
As Chief Executive Officer of QMusic, the peak body for Queensland's music sector, Kris leads the state-wide representative voice for Queensland’s musicians, music workers, live music venues and fans.
They work with artists from the beginning of their careers facilitating professional developments programs and mentorships, and as the artists progress, QMusic platforms their talent through festivals and major events (such as BIGSOUND and Valley Fiesta) before finally honouring and celebrating excellence in music through the Queensland Music Awards, which QMusic has presented since 2006.
Their programs include development events such as Industry Connect and advocacy and engagement activity, such as The Parliamentary Friends of the Music Industry and the $7m Music Venues COVID rescue package.
ADVOCACY & LEADERSHIP
Central to Kris' role leading QMusic is acting as a direct advocate and changemaker for the issues facing the music industry.
The future of Australia's live music industry questioned at federal government inquiry. ABC News Coverage of Kris testimony to Federal Parliament
State Budgets Look At Long Term Investment For Music Industry. The Music coverage of new music industry investment by the Qld government
Advice for Qld’s Incoming Nighttime Economy Commissioner. The Music Network coverage of the new Qld nighttime economy initiatives.
BIGSOUND
The key event annually produced by Kris at QMusic is BIGSOUND, the largest music industry event in the Southern Hemisphere.
BIGSOUND is a daytime conference and networking event with global thought leaders and brands that flows into an evening showcase festival featuring more than 180 bands across 23 stages and venues.
For the first time in 2022, Kris lead the creation of a First Nations Advisory Board to ensure that all First Nations programs and initiatives were Indigenous-led, and the event saw more than 1000 artists and 3000 Conference and Showcase attendees from more than two dozen countries.
MEDIA COVERAGE
A record event was produced for the first time in three years, following COVID cancellations: THE ABC
BIGSOUND 2022: The Best of Series: MUSIC FEEDS
Bigsound 2022: Keeping a Beat of the Australian Music Economy: THE MUSIC NETWORK
BAUER MUSIC PODCASTS
Australia’s largest entertainment conference, BIGSOUND, has helped showcase and grow thousands of bands and event producers for 22 years.
BEM President Brian Bauer and BIGSOUND CEO Kris Stewart talked about international events, festivals, boosting sales among young patrons, and MORE in this Q&A recap.
GOOLWAL GOOLWAL
A central part of the largest event in the Australian music industry, Goolwal Goolwal is an Indigenous-led program produced by QMusic to elevate First Nations musicians. The largest activation of its type in Australia, it featured both Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander musicians and their cultural peers from New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan and Pacifika countries.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Goolwal Goolwal at BIGSOUND: 12 highlights set to wow audiences in 2024: BEAT MAGAZINE
BIGSOUND's Goolwal Goolwal program revealed: INDIGENOUS TIMES
QUEENSLAND MUSIC AWARDS
From household names Keith Urban, Amy Shark and Sheppard to emerging artists like Jaguar Jonze, Jesswar and Hope D, the Queensland Music Awards is an annual celebration of the state's best music produced by QMusic, that culminates in an Award ceremony at the Fortitude Music Hall.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Close to 70 finalists for 2022 Queensland Music Awards: THE MUSIC NETWORK
The Nominations For The 2023 Queensland Music Awards Are Now Open: THE MUSIC
The 2023 Queensland Music Awards website: HERE
STATEWIDE PROGRAMMING
Valley Fiesta
Australia's greatest music precinct is celebrated annually with a massive festival of contemporary music
Concert Care
Launched in 2021, Concert Care is QMusic's key program for industry safety and behavior change
Big Summer Block Party
A re-launch of Brisbane's music scene post-COVID, BSBP was a RISE-funded multivenue major event
interview - ABC RADIO NATIONAL
As CEO of QMusic, Kris is asked about what's in his feed this week - what are people talking about in the music industry?
Contact Kris
This is direct to Kris' personal email, so shoot him a note!
Copyright 2018. Thanks for coming by!