LIVE music has started to reemerge across the Limestone Coast with a Mount Gambier band gracing the stage near Penola over the weekend in one of the first public performances since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.
The inaugural Winter Wargames gel blaster skirmish competition at Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park provided the opportunity for the rock ensemble to return to the stage, entertaining dozens of people who had gathered for the event.
After enduring major changes to venues and public gatherings due to the coronavirus, frontman Roger Watson said the four-piece band was eager to perform.
“It was fantastic to get back up on the stage and have the opportunity to do it as well,” Mr Watson said.
“Being the times they are it is pretty difficult to get up on stage but we here in South Australia are very lucky in some ways.”
Mr Watson said the band had not been able to gather or practice during the pandemic and kept in touch using telephones.
“We only had our first practice as a band two weeks ago,” he said.
“We were not able to get together for a few months there and it had been a long time between songs.”
Mr Watson said once the band was reunited it was as if they had never stopped playing.
“We hope it will be the first of many and I hope there will be more down the track because it is a great venue out there as well,” Mr Watson said.
A silver lining for Wize during the pandemic was the chance to add a new member, giving ample time for individual preparation before coming together.
“We had jobs coming up at in July but with everything that is in place now, the restrictions are not lifted enough to have live music in a venue yet,” Mr Watson said.
Wize has also had performances in Victoria cancelled due to border restrictions.
“We will still be able to play around the Limestone Coast which is fantastic,” he said.
“For musicians at the moment it is all about patience.
“Everyone enjoys music and although it has been a strange time to live through as far as the rest of the world goes, we are lucky to be where we are and there would not be too many bands over the last few months who would be able to do gigs.”
