2026 Festival of Small Halls

Next date: Friday, 29 May 2026 | 06:30 PM to 09:30 PM

Festival of Small Halls Autumn Tour 2026 - Thangool Recreation Reserve Hall

Festival of Small Halls has announced that Old Man Luedecke and the Barleyshakes Duo will feature on their upcoming Autumn Tour 2026: New South Wales and Queensland.

Presented by veteran festival producers Woodfordia Inc, the 50th edition of the much-loved not-for-profit music tour is visiting eleven regional towns, meandering from Wardell in NSW out as far as Augathella in remote Queensland, before heading back down to finish up in Tenterfield, NSW.

Famous for their larger-than-life folk festivals over the last two decades, Woodfordia presents a more intimate lineup with Old Man Luedecke and the Barleyshakes Duo.

Alan and Kristin Kelly are two founding members of the well-known Irish powerhouse band the Barleyshakes. As a duo, they transport audiences with the upbeat sounds of Ireland and Australia on sweet, sensuous fiddle, and spirited guitar. Queensland Music Award winners (World Music), and seriously seasoned musicians, having performed at concert halls, clubs, and festivals in over 20 countries, the 'Shakes take you on a journey from Ireland's happier pre-famine days, and follow with songs of emigration, desperation, resilience, and struggle. Fun Fact! Alan recorded as a bodhran soloist on the Lord of the Rings soundtrack.

Known for his high energy banjo stompers and touching guitar ballads on subjects from nature to spirit and family to food, Old Man Luedecke charms his audiences by elevating the mundane to the wonderful. A multi-award-winning musician, Luedecke is also dryly funny in his presentations. Canada's The Globe and Mail said: "Think of him as a banjo playing life coach".

"This will be my second tour with Small Halls," says Luedecke. "The production makes a great show for wonderful audiences in hard-to-reach places! I can't wait to see the country and meet the Small Halls people again, it's truly heartwarming. Lock up your lamingtons!"

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The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Banana Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.