Small Halls, Big Impact and why our Regions deserve World-Class Music with Izzy Bartlett

"It's not their dream to be a touring musician because they're working hard on their farm, but there's so much soul and heart in their music and those stories are incredible."

In this episode, Harley sits down with Izzy Bartlett, the producer of Festival of Small Halls, Woodfordia's regional touring project bringing world-class artists to some of Australia's most remote communities.

Izzy's first Woodford was in her mum's belly, so she's a genuine Woodford baby, one of many who grew up in the Chai Tent, made lifelong friendships, and eventually found her way into making Woodford's magic happen behind the scenes.

From her family's connection to the Toowoomba orchestra to having a hand in the producing of 47 touring shows across 13 years of regional Australia, Izzy's work is about far more than just bringing acts on the road. It's about access, community resilience, and the radical idea that people in towns of 500 or 5,000 deserve world-class art just as much as city dwellers.

The conversation gets real about funding, regional touring costs, and why government support for arts isn't a luxury—it's essential infrastructure. They discuss the power of small venues, intimate performances with under 10 people, and how a show in a flooded community becomes about collective healing.

Plus, Harley and Izzy get unexpectedly philosophical about craft. Who would have thought?

This episode is for:

• Anyone curious about how regional touring actually works and what it costs to bring culture to remote Australia
• People from the cities learning about community from the regions
• Those who believe small moments and small communities matter just as much as big festivals

Dive in to hear about why:

• A woman who hasn't left her small town in years getting to see live music two doors from her house is worth the budget
• Izzy's loves UNO with strangers who become best friends
• "Nothing too small cannot be done beautifully" is the motto that keeps the Festival of Small Halls running on humility and handwritten thank-you notes

Keen to bring your kids to Woodford to maybe meet their new best friends who might become friends forever - https://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com

Keep up to date with Festival of Small Halls here: https://festivalofsmallhalls.com/

FOR MORE:

Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.au/

CREDITS:

Host: Harley Breen

Guest: Izzy Bartlett

Producer: Benny Wallington

Executive Producers: Cameron Scurrah & Bree Hickson-Jamieson

Video Editing: Nicholas Haddow

Audio mastering: Kieron Atkinson

Music by: The East Pointers

Recorded on Jinabara Country

#RadioWoodfordia #WoodfordFolkFestival #FestivalOfSmallHalls #RegionalTourning #IzzyBartlett #CommunityArts #AustralianCulture #RegionalAccess #WoodfordBaby #ArtsAccessibility #RegionalAustralia #CommunityResilience #CraftMatters #HarleyBreen #WoodfordProgram

Join the Woodfordian Citizens:

Perks -

- Bi-Monthly emails sharing the ins and outs of the world of Woodfordia and the people who keep the heart beating.

- Special invites to special events on site at Woodfordia. Super special.

- Bonus podcast content

- Early early bird access to Woodford Folk Festival tickets

- Early access to workshop bookings at Woodford Folk Festival

Visit: woodfordia.org/woodfordia/become-a-citizen

More information at www.woodfordia.org

For the festival: www.woodfordfolkfestival.com

For Harley: https://www.harleybreen.com.au/

Credits:

Host: Harley Breen

Producer: Benny Wallington

Executive Producers: Cameron Scurrah & Bree Hickson-Jameison

Audio mastering: Kieron Atkinson

Music by: The East Pointers

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