Isol-Aid hits Ballarat

NOW nation-wide, the Isol-Aid online music festivals began in March as a way to continue events and connect people with the scene while in isolation.

Since its inception, the event has steadily creeped around the country with a special Ballarat version set to go live on Sunday, 4 October.

“Isol-Aid started at the start of lockdown and it’s just been going every single week,” festival curator Sarah Barclay said.

“There’s been some really awesome ones, the first one had major artists and that’s what gave it a lot of hype and promotion.

“Now, they’re going to all the regional areas and getting the smaller artists which is providing opportunities for emerging artists to get paid as well as a bit of exposure, not just one or the other.”

In addition to Ms Barclay, another young Ballarat music enthusiast Abbey Ashmore was selected by the program to curate the line-up for the Isol-Aid: Ballarat Fully Lit! festival.

After applying for the position and both being accepted, Ms Barclay said their top priority for the line-up was diversity.

“Abby and I were asked to curate it and the main idea we had in mind for the line-up was making sure it was gender inclusive, culturally inclusive, age inclusive,” Ms Barclay said.

“That way people can relate with the music their hearing and with the people they’re getting to watch online.

“It’s important that people can relate to music they’re experiencing, especially during 2020 where people seem to need it the most.”

The diverse local line-up includes; Skyscraper Stan & Mon Coeur, Connor Toomey, Inka Temam, Macy Rose, The Thing From Spring and Milla & Geoffrey Williams.

Featuring hip-hop, psychedelic blues, R&B, acoustic ballads and even rock n roll sounds, Ms Barclay said she’s looking forward to putting out some fun content both for the artists and residents.

“When it’s such a hard time to live in right now, it’s really important to put some positive media out there,” she said.

“It’s been awesome to see there has been opportunities for people to perform, even if it’s not as many.

“It’s great that the artists can get paid and have some exposure and the workers can get paid to put on events, it’s really cool.”

Each artist will be prepared to play a 20-minute set, streamed live via their Instagram account and to the Isol-Aid website.

Ms Barclay said this makes it easier for people to watch, get involved and discover new artists.

“This will give some more exposure to the artists hopefully, they might get more followers and it’s a great way to discover some new artists,” she said.

“it’s important that there is a local music scene and there is accessible music for people in regional areas to go and watch and experience.

“Getting to see someone in your area succeeding, it makes you feel like anything’s possible and like you can do it too.”