Sounds Like Community Radio Returns for 2026, celebrating the Stations Championing Australia's Best New Music!

+ AMRAP BIGSOUND Listening Sessions

**Image: Public Figures, credit Bridgette Winten**

Sounds Like Community Radio featuring Milly Strange, Djarraway, Public Figures, Say True God?, Superhotel and Joey Leigh Wagtail

Community radio takes centre stage in Meanjin, Brisbane, with the return of Sounds Like Community Radio, a free afternoon of live music, national broadcasting and community connection at Brisbane's iconic 4ZZZ, followed by the much-loved amrap.org.au BIGSOUND Listening Sessions for artists and industry professionals as part of the 2026 BIGSOUND program.

Presented by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia’s Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (amrap.org.au), Sounds Like Community Radio celebrates the people, stations and volunteers who help Australian music thrive every day. The relationship between community radio’s dedicated music programmers, presenters and its passionate listeners makes community radio one of the country's most important cultural networks.

Happening from 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm on Wednesday 2 September at 4ZZZ, 264 Barry Parade, Fortitude Valley, Sounds Like Community Radio invites music fans and curious newcomers to experience community radio in action. Broadcast live and featuring live performances from the 4ZZZ studio and the iconic Zed Carpark, Sounds Like Community Radio brings together some of Australia's most exciting emerging artists for an afternoon celebrating the music, stories and spirit of community broadcasting. Audiences will be treated to free live performances from Milly Strange, Djarraway, Public Figures, Say True God?, Superhotel and Joey Leigh Wagtail, alongside guest presenters from community radio stations across the country.

Representatives from participating stations will join 4ZZZ's hosts throughout the broadcast, sharing stories, introducing music and crossing live to performances, offering a vibrant snapshot of the personalities and passion that define Australia's community radio sector. This year's participating stations include 4ZZZFM, Triple R, PBS 106.7FM, Three D Radio, Edge Radio, SYN 90.7FM and fbi.radio, with the event also broadcast nationally via the Community Radio Network (CRN), connecting audiences across Australia.

The lineup brings together some of the country's most buzzed-about Australian artists. Djarraway brings a powerful fusion of roots, reggae and First Nations storytelling, weaving traditional language and culture into uplifting performances. Naarm, Melbourne songwriter Milly Strange pairs intimate folk-inspired songwriting with alt-rock grit and raw emotion, while Dunghutti artist Joey Leigh Wagtail delivers heartfelt songs that draw on folk, blues and country traditions to explore identity and belonging. Meanjin, Brisbane favourites Superhotel offer warm, witty alternative country rock with melodic indie sensibilities, and punk outfit Public Figures inject the afternoon with their uncompromising, high-energy sound and fearless social commentary. Rounding out the bill is Mandandanji and Waanyi hip-hop artist Say True God?, whose award-winning lyricism and soulful production have established him as one of Australia's most exciting voices in contemporary hip-hop.

Each week, Australia's community radio sector reaches more than 5.4 million listeners through a network of more than 450 licensed stations, providing an essential platform for local artists, diverse voices and music discovery that can't be found anywhere else. The recent research led by Monash University and Griffith University reveals the sector contributes more than $153 million annually to Australia's music economy, underscoring its significant cultural and economic impact. Community radio also drives meaningful audience engagement, with approximately 1.3 million Australians purchasing tickets, merchandise or music after discovering artists on community radio. Across the sector, more than 390,960 hours of Australian music are broadcast each year, reinforcing community radio's vital role in championing homegrown music and connecting audiences with Australian artists.

Sounds Like Community Radio

Wednesday 2 September 2026
1.00 pm – 6.00 pm
4ZZZ, 264 Barry Parade, Fortitude Valley
Free Entry
Milly Strange, Djarraway, Public Figures, Say True God?, Superhotel and Joey Leigh Wagtail

Back by Popular Demand: AMRAP BIGSOUND Listening Sessions

Returning after strong demand from previous years, the AMRAP BIGSOUND Listening Sessions provide a rare chance for artists to receive honest, constructive feedback directly from the broadcasters who discover and champion emerging Australian music.

On Thursday 3 September, artists will once again have the opportunity to sit down with the music programmers and presenters behind some of Australia's most influential community radio stations from 10.00 am – 2.00 pm at The Warrar Room, The Precinct on Level 2.

Whether preparing a new single, planning a release campaign or looking to build momentum around new music, attendees will gain practical insights into what makes tracks stand out for community radio airplay.

Representatives from 4ZZZFM, Triple R, PBS 106.7FM, Three D Radio, Edge Radio, SYN 90.7 FM and fbi.radio will be available to meet with artists throughout the sessions.

Participants will meet music programmers from leading community radio stations, receive valuable feedback on their music, learn how to improve their chances of community radio airplay, and discover how AMRAP helps connect Australian music with community broadcasters nationwide.

The sessions are open to all BIGSOUND delegates, artists and music industry professionals.

Spaces are limited, and bookings are essential: Book now HERE

Community radio has always been about connection, connecting artists with audiences, communities with culture, and passionate music lovers with the sounds they won't hear anywhere else. Across two days, Sounds Like Community Radio and the AMRAP Listening Sessions celebrate the people and stations that continue to discover, champion and amplify Australian music.

AMRAP BIGSOUND Listening Sessions

Thursday 3 September 2026
10.00 am – 2.00 pm
The Warrar Room, The Precinct
Level 2, 315 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Bookings essential for Listening Sessions.