Home - Festival of Small Halls

Festival of Small Halls is a series of tours that takes the best folk and contemporary acoustic artists performing at two of our country’s largest festivals, and sends them on the road to tiny halls in communities all over Australia.

It is produced by Woodfordia Inc in partnership with many other wonderful Australian festivals, regional partners and great lovers and supporters of folk and contemporary acoustic music.

It’s an opportunity for music-lovers from welcoming communities to invite artists from Home and Abroad into their towns…
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Where we're heading...

Resilience Tour 2021

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Current Tours

Resilience Tour 2021

Paddy McHugh (AUS)

Raised in Tamworth, imbued from a young age with country music, before moving off to Sydney and immersing himself in the city’s gritty punk scene…

Sue Ray (AUS)

Winner of the 2018 QMusic award for Best Folk/World song with ‘Junior was his Name’, Americana-style artist Sue Ray continues to captivate audiences with her haunting and…

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Community, connection... and cake - Festival of Sm

Community, connection... and cake - Festival of Small Halls is on the road again in September for a one-off special edition tour in aid of bushfire resilience in Queensland's Southern Downs Region!

The marvellous singer/songwriters Paddy McHugh and Sue Ray are perusing their packing lists to plan for their to visit ten tiny towns and their cherished Halls. Tickets are on sale NOW. What can you tell us about the places we're travelling through?
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#teaandscones #QldResilience #smallhalls #fosh #folkmusic #southerndowns #bunting #countryroads #qldcommunity #southerndownstourism #musicinhalls #wholesomecommunity #singsongs #opshop #countryhotels #buyfromthebush #memorialhalls #springtour #keephallsalive #bundjalung #ngarabal #barrungam #githabul #kambuwalcountry

Team dinner with one rule only. You must wear an o

Team dinner with one rule only. You must wear an outfit entirely made from op shop purchases. Easy done for all of us except for @harrisonmortkicksass who doesn't have time for op shopping as he is too busy setting up the PA.
Today we drive home. What a month it has been.
Thanks to each and every person we met along the way. For sharing your stories. For dancing and singing along. For cheering for more. For your cakes and scones, pulled pork and sausages. For the local tips.
Thanks to all the wonderful communities and hosts. Thanks for your kindness and generosity. We had a blast. Until next time......
#hallsautumn @bobby_alu @thiswaynorth #strikeapose #vogue #strut

The man himself. Harry Mortimer. What a guy! This

The man himself. Harry Mortimer. What a guy!
This video was taken back at the Morundah show.... But too good to not share.
Last show tonight. Coramba!!!!!!
Can't believe this great tour is coming to an end.
Thanks to all the amazing communities who have hosted us. You have made this trip so special for us.
Thank you!!!!
#hallsautumn @harrisonmortkicksass
@thiswaynorth @bobby_alu

This is how we roll! See you tonight Mullaley! Se

This is how we roll!
See you tonight Mullaley! Second last show of the tour. Wowee!!!
#hallsautumn @bobby_alu @thiswaynorth

So good to see so much water and bird life in this

So good to see so much water and bird life in this beautiful part of the world.
See you tonight Burren Junction !

#hallsautumn @thiswaynorth @bobby_alu

It's all about the small details. Thanks Marthaguy

It's all about the small details. Thanks Marthaguy! You really have something special going on in your beaut community.
And Dust Music...wowee! Blew us away with their magical set.
#marthaguy #hallsautumn @thiswaynorth @bobby_alu

We can't believe it - we're up to the third last s

We can't believe it - we're up to the third last show of the Autumn Tour with @bobby_alu and @thiswaynorth! We're kicking off our final weekend in style at the Burren Junction School of Arts Hall.

Tonight's show will open with local acoustic duo Nate Scholes.

Made up of good friends William Scholes & Wink Fleming, Nate Scholes originated in 2017 at Robb College, UNE, Armidale. Since then Nate Scholes have released an EP titled “feels like ages” in 2019 and were selected in the top ten Tamworth Country Music Festival Busking competition, going on to win the “People’s Choice Award” in 2020. Can't wait to have this talented twosome on board tonight!

Tickets available online until 2.30pm. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Food and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

Burren Junction School of Arts Hall stands on land traditionally owned by the Kamilaroi people.

Tonight’s show in Burren Junction has gratefully received support from the NSW Restart Fund, delivered by @outbackarts

Please note, this event is operating in accordance with the New South Wales Government COVID Safe rules. Please remember to check-in, physically distance and make use of the available hand sanitiser.

#HallsAutumn #music #ontour #livemusic #community #NSW #NewSouthWales #AustraliaCouncil #artsfunding #roadtrip #ontheroad #aussiemusic #australia #ruralhall #friends #family #folk #indie #polynesian #samoan #folkmusic #contemporary #livemusic #smallhalls #inspiration #tour #happiness #love

Thank Nymagee! We had no idea what to expect but w

Thank Nymagee! We had no idea what to expect but we all had the greatest night! Great community. Great Hall. Great food.
Had fun blending in with our surroundings with our op shop attire.
Thanks to everyone and also to our mate who helped us pack up the van at the end.
Bunch of superstars! See you tonight Marthaguy #hallsautumn @thiswaynorth @bobby_alu

Tonight we're heading to the village of Marthaguy!

Tonight we're heading to the village of Marthaguy! We've been hatching plans to play with these gorgeous folk since 2019, foiled by dust storms and then Covid. We're so pumped to finally be making it!

Opening the show tonight is local act Dust Music. Dust Music is Marthaguy's very own Greg, Bonnie & Pip Storer! Music runs in the Storer family - working farmer Greg is Sara Storer’s older brother and is described by Country Update Magazine as having a “rich, soulful voice sitting somewhere between Chris Rea and Guy Clark”, and that “…he’s obviously no novice when it comes to expressing himself musically and lyrically.... he manages to cover a variety of roots / country styles without really sounding like anyone else. Storer regales us with the hard earned wit and wisdom that comes from a life on the land.”. Greg released a highly acclaimed solo album called Backwater in 2010 and has co-written a number of award-winning songs. Although he is an unlikely singer, songwriter and musician in many ways, his raw talent and authentic stories and songs have set him apart from many of his peers. Greg is joined by his family Pip and Bonnie for this very special, all-in family show.

BYO esky with drinks, pre-orders for cheese platters and dinner have closed - feel free to bring your own if you missed out!

Tickets available online until 2.30pm, only ten remaining! If you miss online sales you can message us between 2.30pm and 5pm to check if they sold out.

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Marthaguy Hall stands on land traditionally owned by the Wailwan people.

Tonight’s performance is the grateful recipient of support from the NSW Restart fund delivered by @outbackarts

Please note, this event is operating in accordance with the New South Wales Government COVID Safe rules. Please remember to check-in, physically distance and make use of the available hand sanitiser.

We are heading your way Nymagee! #hallsautumn @bob

We are heading your way Nymagee! #hallsautumn @bobby_alu @thiswaynorth

Festival of Small Halls has arrived in beautiful,

Festival of Small Halls has arrived in beautiful, bountiful Orange with Bobby Alu and This Way North. We're looking forward to returning to Bloomfield Hall for the sixth time tonight!

Tonight, the show will open with newcomers to the Orange live music scene, T.A.X. Tim, Anders and Xanthie have impressed audiences with their tight, three part harmonies, tasty guitar licks and cleaver song arrangements. We can't wait to have them join us and take the stage tonight.

Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

The good folks in Orange will be serving up a delicious BBQ for dinner for purchase on the night.

Bloomfield Hall stands on land traditionally owned by the Wiradjuri people.

Please note, this event is operating in accordance with the New South Wales Government COVID Safe rules. Please remember to check-in, physically distance and make use of the available hand sanitiser.

We have said it before and we will say it again...

We have said it before and we will say it again..... HOW GOOD IS IT THAT WE CAN DANCE????!!!!! (And how weird was it that we couldn't??????)
We are at Pyree tonight. Orange tomorrow.
Then we are on the home stretch.... Nymagee, Marthaguy, Burren Junction, Mullaley, Coramba. Tell your friends to come along, except for Coramba.... Which is sold out.
See you all out there! @bobby_alu @this_is_byron_ #hallsautumn

Ganmain, you certainly lived up to your name! We h

Ganmain, you certainly lived up to your name! We had a great time!
Great hospitality, great soup and quite possibly the best MC of the tour, the one and only Nick.
Thanks for having us. We had a blast. See you tonight Pyree.
@thiswaynorth @bobby_alu #hallsautumn

Festival of Small Halls is headed back east today,

Festival of Small Halls is headed back east today, heading to the village of Pyree with @bobby_alu and @thiswaynorth. Tickets are completely SOLD OUT - no door sales available.

Opening the show tonight will be 17-year-old singer-songwriter from the NSW south coast, Joe Visser.

He plays guitar, piano and drums, and describes his music as ‘alternative folk’. Joe has been performing professionally since the age of 13. He has appeared at numerous festivals, including MCA Genext (18/19), Burradise Festival (17/18/19), SeeChange (18) Shoalhaven River Festival (17), and KV Folk Festival (youth 17). He has played support sets for Daniel Champagne, Elizabeth Rae, The Bean Project and Scott Cook, as well as lending his talents to many local charity events.

Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Food is available from 5:30pm. Choose between a roast beef and gravy roll with coleslaw and a slice of roast Pyree pumpkin or falafels and hommus in a wrap, also with coleslaw and roast pumpkin. Tea, coffee and classic biscuits (Iced Vovos and honey jumbles!!!) available in the interval.

Pyree School of Arts Hall stands on land traditionally owned by the Yuin People.

Please note, this event is operating in accordance with the New South Wales Government COVID Safe rules. Please remember to check-in, physically distance and make use of the available hand sanitiser.

Tonight we're back in our beloved Ganmain!! We've

Tonight we're back in our beloved Ganmain!! We've missed you guys <3 We've brought @bobby_alu and @thiswaynorth to town for an unforgettable Friday night in the beautiful Riverina.

At this stage tickets are 80% sold, available online until 2.30pm. Should be some available on the door but feel free to message us before you leave home if you're worried. Best way to be sure is to pre-purchase!

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Hot soup with bread will be served in the break to warm us from the inside out, bar also available.

Ganmain Hall stands on land traditionally owned by the Wiradjuri people.

Please note, this event is operating in accordance with the New South Wales Government COVID Safe rules. Please remember to check-in, physically distance and make use of the available hand sanitiser.

#HallsAutumn #music #ontour #livemusic #community #NSW #NewSouthWales #AustraliaCouncil #artsfunding #roadtrip #ontheroad #aussiemusic #australia #ruralhall #friends #family #folk #indie #polynesian #samoan #folkmusic #contemporary #livemusic #smallhalls #inspiration #tour #happiness #love

@bobby_alu and @thiswaynorth are currently workin

@bobby_alu and @thiswaynorth are currently working on their kids album. Please post suggestions for their band name below. #hallsautumn

We had a grand ole time at Savernake last night to

We had a grand ole time at Savernake last night to a sold out crowd. And wowee we have never seen so many different types of cakes and slices in the one place!!!! Thanks to the incredible Sienna Cox for opening the show for us.
#smallhallsaus @thiswaynorth @bobby_alu

Tonight, we're in a pretty incredible place - Moru

Tonight, we're in a pretty incredible place - Morundah!

Since the first (of many) visit from a touring arts production 14 years ago - Opera Australia - attracted a crowd of more than 1000 to the then-town of about 15, the Paradise Palladium Theatre has been known as the opera house in the bush. What you might not know is that since then, this gutsy community has got together to convert what was then a re-purposed pig shed into a premiere 350 seat theatre. While they had help from various funders, the majority of the $1,000,000+ bill was raised locally - especially at the local chook raffle!

The building tells so many stories of a beautiful marriage of community and quality, a pairing we ourselves hold so dear - for example, the state of the art lighting and sound operates inside purpose build internal cladding for the acoustics - made from more than 800 old doors the community collected. It's a true feat of community spirit driving world class quality, of local heart and good old fashioned volunteering driving the finest standard of entertainment off - right off - the beaten track and we are HERE FOR IT!!!

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. The pub is right next door and it's parmy night from 5.30pm - 7pm so come on down and have a bite before the show!

#HallsAutumn #music #ontour #livemusic #community #NSW #NewSouthWales #AustraliaCouncil #artsfunding #roadtrip #ontheroad #aussiemusic #australia #ruralhall #friends #family #folk #indie #polynesian #samoan #folkmusic #contemporary #livemusic #smallhalls #inspiration #tour #happiness #love

Stories From The Road