One of Bendigo's most recognisable bands will return to the stage next week for the first time in 10 months.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Four Lions last played in February and are set to perform a number of shows through December.
Frontman Shann Lions had accepted the live music industry might not show signs of life until 2021 but said he was pleased that wasn't the case.
"We were resigned to the fact of that's how it would be. We thought there was honestly no way we would play again this year," he said.
"But there is a real thirst for live music because people have been cooped up so long. It's almost a resurgence.
More news
"Places that were doing ticketed gigs, I went to one and it was good. It sold out because you could only host 40 people but sometimes I wondered whether 40 people would be willing to pay and sit and watch a band.
"This will only be our second Bendigo gig for the year. Our last was in Geelong in early February. So actually being able to get out and play live as band with COVID restrictions being lifted and a decent crowd (is exciting)."
The easing of coronavirus restrictions in Victoria will also allow Four Lions to return to the studio.
Before Victoria shutdown due to the pandemic, the band was scheduled to record a new album.
"We had been trying to record our fifth album but it was postponed four time," Lions said.
"A week before Dan Andrews lifted the lid on us being able to get back into Melbourne, we were booked to record.
"It was frustrating but it is what it is. There are bigger things in the world than that a Bendigo band recording an album. We're going back in January and February."
This year has allowed the band to fine tune songs it plans to record with some being unveiled at the upcoming Four Lions gigs at Handle Bar (December 5) and the Red Hill Hotel in Chewton (December 20).
"We're playing five of those songs at Handle Bar show," he said. "It will be the same at Chewton but we will have a musical guest who played at the AFL grand final this year coming along for a song too."
Lions said the band wasn't in the habit of previewing songs to audiences but COVID-19 meant they could.
"The way we have always done it is to write songs, present them to the band and when they're at a point they can be record, do that and that's when we present it to crowds," he said.
"We're not a band that has a new song and doesn't record it. All the refining is done in house before we want to take it to the masses."
Four Lions are performing at Handle bar on December 5, the Palais at Hepburn on December 10 and The Red Hill Hotel at Chewton on December 20.