When Jack Pallett stares up at the Tamworth Town Hall, he hears the sound of metal.
For decades, a little-known fee has stopped bands like his from playing the spiritual home of Tamworth's local music scene.
But soon the fee will be gone.
Tamworth Regional Council's draft fees and charges for 2023-2024 no longer include a 50 per cent security deposit charged to rock bands that play the town hall in what many recognise as Australia's country music capital.
With the doors to the town hall soon to swing open, the long-maligned metal community is planning its next move.
Pallett's band, TRACES, has always felt a pull towards the town hall.
As Tamworth locals, Pallett says it is hard to avoid its orbit.
"It feels like something could change," he says.
"It hopefully opens up some more doors for us local artists as well. Maybe we might be able to get some larger event happening.
"Instead of us having to save heaps of money just to be able to have a chance of playing a show."
Fee 'from another time'
The council's planned fees and charges for the next year are open for public feedback until June 7, with the council to formally decide on June 29.
Tamworth Regional Council's entertainment venues manager Peter Ross says removing the fee was a long time in the making.
"It's a fee that probably could be removed," he says.
"It's from another time, back in the 80s."
Sign of acceptance
Three weeks ago, Luke Fielding could only imagine a metal show at the spiritual home of his town's local music scene.
But now, the owner of The Press, the town's dedicated venue for alternative music, sees a bright future.
"It's very progressive for council to remove the fee. I can't wait to see the town hall do something different, other than country," he says.
For someone who grew up in the shadow of the Golden Guitar and the yearly festival, the town hall is more than just a venue, it's a sign of acceptance.
"There's just something special about it. The history, the people who've played there.
"It's the ultimate venue you can play in Tamworth."
