Journal Entry: The Indie Stage That Whispers Back
Dear Virtuosi…
This one’s not about lights. It’s about listening.
Tucked beneath the rainforest canopy of Far North Queensland, where the air hangs heavy and the moss-covered tanks breathe in the silence—you’ll find a venue that’s all heart.
The Tanks Arts Centre isn’t loud in the way a stadium is. It doesn’t shimmer like the Opera House. But trust us—when the first note lands in that room, it reverberates with something different.
This is the kind of space where music isn’t just performed—it’s felt. Where barefoot songwriters, dusty instruments, and low golden lights create something magic.
Artists like KT Tunstall and Paul Kelly have graced this stage with their stories, and it’s easy to see why—they know this is a place where real connection matters more than big production. Even PS' own Beth played here on tour with Queensland Youth Orchestras - and she still talks about the unforgettable experience. The vibe demands you strip back and mean every note, no matter the scale.
So if this venue’s on your bucket list—or you’ve got a gig coming up in an indie room like it—here are the essentials:
Self-Sufficient Setup – Smooth Bump-In Energy Only
"You’re not just the artist. You’re the roadie, the soundcheck queen, the calm in the storm."
There’s no backstage village or luxury load-in here.
It’s you, your gear, a few techs (maybe), and a whole lot of DIY.
Expect to carry your own gear in, know your rig inside out, and adapt to whatever the stage throws at you (yes, even dodgy foldback).
This isn’t a place for divas.
It’s a place for grounded, prepared, and flexible performers who can set the vibe without needing five pages of tech specs and a green room full of kombucha.
Stripped-Back Storytelling – Soul Over Sparkle
"Indie crowds don’t want perfect. They want present."
The Tanks Arts Centre is one of those rooms where every breath, pause, and lyric lands directly in someone’s heart.
You don’t need big riffs here.
This crowd is craving honesty—not perfection.
They want to hear you in the music, not just the melody.
(We dare you to play a ballad with just a guitar and see what happens.)
Originality With Indie Appeal – No Copy-Paste Allowed
"This is not a Top 40 crowd. This is a feel-it-in-the-bones kind of audience."
Whether you’re doing originals, covers, or something in-between, make it yours. Cookie-cutter arrangements and pitch-perfect karaoke won’t land here. What will?
A fresh take
An unexpected twist
A sound that makes someone look up mid-sip and say, “Who is this?”
This room has heard a lot. But it hasn’t heard you—not like this.
So lean into your artistic quirks.
Bring your voice, your vibe, your version.
That’s what they came for.
So, Virtuosi… Will You Sing Among the Trees?
Some gigs are about sparkle.
This one’s about stillness.
It’ll challenge you to hold a room without needing to fill it.
It’ll teach you to be vulnerable in the best way.
And it’ll remind you what music feels like when you strip it all the way back.
So rehearse with intention.
Warm up with care.
Speak your truth—softly, clearly, and without apology.
