When you talk in the Tank, the Tank talks back.

The World War II oil storage tank turned art space is a gorgeously eerie addition to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, boasting an astonishing 25-second reverb. With atmosphere and acoustics like no other, it feels primed for sound and music.

The Tank, part of the Art Gallery of NSW. Photo supplied.

Right now, there’s a performance happening there every night with a huge, new sound system, specially built to draw the most out of the space.

Volume is a new music festival that throws genre and medium to the wind. It gathers some of the leading Australian and international artists from art, experimental and contemporary music, as well as dancers and filmmakers, for a 17-day program that sheds a totally new light on the AGNSW’s art and architecture. There are both free and ticketed programs. The flagship performers include Sampa The Great, Solange and the first Australian full-band appearance of Mount Eerie, a project of American indie artist Phil Elverum. The latter two will be seen in the Tank.

“I’m just not that interested in traditional venues,” explains Volume curator Jonathan Wilson.

“I’m more...