Heavy metal fee ‘from another time’ to be scrapped in country music capital

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.