News October 27, 2015

Festival of Small Halls eyes QLD and NSW towns

PRESS RELEASE:

There’s some good times ahead for the locations on this November/December’s Festival of Small Hallsin Queensland and New South Wales, with the announcement of Canada-based Irish singer songwriter Irish Mythen and local lads Starboard Cannons as the touring artists on the run.

Though it’s not Irish’s first trip to Australia, it’s been a while between visits and she’s made some serious headway in her career since then. A month ago she opened for rock legend Rod Stewart at the Cavendish Music Festival in Prince Edward Island, and after Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot, Irish Mythen is the most requested artist at Canada’s longest running folk festival, the Mariposa Folk Festival.

Starboard Cannons have already had a taste of what’s in store, having guested on last year’s Summer tour for three dates only.

“For a touring band, the Festival of Small Halls is pretty much the ultimate gig – truly one of the most positive developments in the Australian live music scene in recent times,’ says Starboard frontman Ashley Bell.

“Last year we got a glimpse into the magic of the Halls, we can’t wait to hit he road in November and make some memories! Gorgeous, historic and unique country halls serving the exact purpose for which they were built: the coming together of people. Gracious audiences, terrific atmosphere and the sharing of music.”

This is the fourth Queensland tour (5th overall) for Festival of Small Halls – a grass-roots tour that pairs a visiting international artist and a notable Australian folk group for shows in small towns and community halls. Producers Woodford Folk Festival consider this Summer tour ‘the original’, even though there are 4 new towns on this run.

‘If I had to describe the artists on this Summer’s tours in one word, I’d say Larrikins. This tour is going to be a lot of fun for the audiences,’ says tour producer Chloe Goodyear.

Modeled on this traditional Australian hall experience, the Festival of Small Halls Summer Tour concentrates on visiting towns where communities are strong, but may not have access to high quality musical acts due to their remote locations, or lack of a ‘traditional’ venue. Artists playing the Festival of Small Halls are chosen not only for the high calibre of their music, but for their enthusiasm and willingness to become part of the community for the brief time that they pass through – a perfect fit for the country halls that populate our country.

Tickets are on sale 15 September at www.festivalofsmallhalls.com and at select community outlets.

The Festival of Small Halls Queensland New South Wales is presented by the Woodford Folk Festival in partnership with the Mullum Music Festival.

For more info and to purchase tickets head to the official website.

TOUR DATES

Fri Nov-13 Nymboida NSW Nymboida Community Hall

Sat Nov-14 Texas QLD Texas Memorial Hall

Sun Nov-15 Brookfield QLD Brookfield Hall

Sat Nov-21 Mullumbimby NSW Mullum Music Festival

Sun Nov-22 Mullumbimby NSW Mullum Music Festival

Fri Nov-27 Felton QLD Felton Hall

Sat Nov-28 St George QLD St George Amphitheatre

Sun Nov-29 Tambo QLD Tambo Shire Hall