Entertainment
18 July, 2026
Artist’s 30-year dream at Tanks
GRINSPOON frontman and solo artist Phil Jamieson says he has wanted to play Tanks Arts Centre for 30 years, with the Cairns venue to host his ‘PJ Air’ tour on Thursday 10 September.
The tour comes ahead of the release of his sophomore solo album ‘10Charlie’, with Mr Jamieson promising an intimate show built around songs he says were written during a turbulent period of his life.
“I’ve never played the Tanks. The Tanks Arts Centre has been on my list to play for 30 years,” Mr Jamieson told Cairns Local News.
“I’m excited to finally tick it off the list of venues that I get to play ... for me, on my lonesome, can’t wait.”
While Mr Jamieson has spent decades fronting Grinspoon, he said his latest solo record allowed him complete creative freedom.
“There are songs on 10Charlie that would have just never been recorded with Grinspoon, no matter how hard I tried,” he said.
“So creatively, I’m just doing whatever I want.”
The singer said the album was born from a difficult period and was initially never intended for release.
“I purely was writing for myself,” he said.
“I thought I was writing stuff for myself, sort of like a balm for my soul ... something that would help, that I wanted to hear.”
Mr Jamieson said he hoped listeners would ultimately find their own meaning in the songs.
“I’m hoping these songs can shape-shift in some ways and become other people’s balm for their souls.”
“I grew up in regional Australia. I love touring the regions,” he said.
The PJ Air tour arrives at Tanks Arts Centre at 7.15 pm on Thursday 10 September, ahead of the release of 10Charlie. Tickets available through Ticketlink: www.cnslocal.s.gy/UOmqF7
