Americana, alt-country, roots, folk, honky tonk, western swing ... call it what you will, but there is the unmistakable whiff of country in the air at Gold Roses.

Next year sees the unveiling of Bendigo's first alt-country music festival, so pull on your best cowboy boots and sashay on down to Handle Bar on Saturday, February 1, from 3pm.

This inaugural edition features a stellar line-up of some of the finest Victorian artists working in these genres.

You've seen them at the best country music festivals around the nation and beyond, playing everywhere from Tamworth to Nashville - from big stages to grungy dive bars and everything in between. You've heard them on Double J, RRR, PBS, ABC Country, and 94.7 The Pulse.

Now see them right here in your own backyard - and for free.

Full line-up announced:

James Ellis & The Jealous Guys Four Lions Katie Bates (Duo) Kate & Hana Nathan Seeckts

Central Victorian roots rockers Four Lions are kicking off 2020 with a handful of Victorian shows, before heading back into the studio to record album No.5.

Hot on the heels of a successful 12 months where the band released its fourth album, the acclaimed Hard Days, Four Lions will return to Pistol Pete's Food n Blues on Saturday, February 8.

The band plies its trade in a potent blend of roots, rock, and alt-country that channels the spirit of their musical heroes, including Wilco, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen.

Punters can expect to get a sneak preview of new songs from the forthcoming album on the night. “I’m excited about recording and can’t wait to get back into the studio,” declares frontman Shann Lions.

The year 2019 proved to be a big one for Four Lions, who spent most of it touring behind the Hard Days album, including embarking on their first interstate dates. It was the Herald Sun’s Album of the Week, a first for an independent, regionally-based band, with its songs garnering national airplay.

And it provided the ideal opportunity for the five-piece - consisting of lead singer/guitarist Lions, lead guitarist Keith MacQueen, keyboardist Stephen Briggs, drummer Gavan Moncrieff, and bassist Bradley Bradford – to further cement their reputation as one of their hometown’s most prolific and hardest-working bands.