Entertainment
11 March, 2024
Looking for great talent
THE spotlight will be on local musicians this April as the biggest young and emerging music event Local & Vocal is looking for the next great FNQ talent to put on the stage in front of hundreds of local music lovers.
Applications for the Tanks Arts Centre annual event Local & Vocal, aimed at showcasing the best young musicians ages 12-25, close on March 15, with successful applicants earning the opportunity to receive a full professional development day with one-on-one time with stage technicians, industry workshops and stage rehearsals plus the chance to perform for a live audience at the event’s Saturday night gig.
The young musicians will have to present a minimum 10-minute set with at least one original song as part of their application.
Running for three years with the support of Cairns Regional Council’s Flame Arts, Vocal & Local has been creating pathways into the music industry for local talent, from bands, to soloists, singer-songwriters, rappers, guitarists, drummers and even turntablists.
Local & Vocal alumna, 16-year-old singer songwriter Tenni (Tayen Henderson) said the program had been life-changing for her music career.
“I started playing when I was 10 and I’m a singer songwriter. I would describe my style as indie rock and I write my music, I only play my original songs and must have around 20 of them now,” she said.
“I joined Local & Vocal last year and it was an amazing experience. The day before the performance we got to know the Tanks and rehearse to get a feel of the venue and on the night of the gig, I played three songs for a crowd of about 100 people and the atmosphere was so awesome with the lighting. I’ve got to meet a lot of people and make contacts and we received really good feedback.”
From Vocal & Local ,Tenni has gone on to perform at important local stages like Cairns Festival, the Court House Gallery ‘Music in Sessions’ and the Eco Fiesta at Munro Martin Parklands, and she released her second single – Bad Things – last August.
“I would absolutely recommend it to other young artists. You will meet a lot of people and it will help you to learn and navigate everything that goes into playing live,” she said.
“It’s so good for something like Local & Vocal to exist to create opportunities for artists like me.”
Successful applicants will attend the professional development and rehearsal day on April 14 and the final performance of Local & Vocal will take place in Tank 5 on Saturday, April 20.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/3P6dCsM
