After the year that was, the scene is off to a strong start with the seaside regional city appearing on the tour bills of established artists including Didirri, C.W Stoneking, Ali Barter, Confidence Man, The Rubens and Alice Ivy this year already.

Didirri Peters left the south-west for Melbourne to pursue a career in music when he was just 17 after growing up in Warrnambool.

He's returned to his hometown to play two shows in the last few weeks and plans to add the city to his regular tour schedule.

READ MORE: Music fans enjoy first live gig in months

"I've been really taken aback by the scene that's been developing in Warrnambool," he said.

"It's incredible to see painters and sculptors and musicians in my hometown.

"It definitely seems to be flourishing and that's no small thanks to places like the Dart and Marlin. There's lot of special corners of Warrnambool.

"I think a lot of people have embraced regional and rural Victoria in a big way after lockdown, I know I will be this year.

"I'll be doing a lot more regional tours this year and will add Warrnambool to most of the tours even if they are capital city runs.

"It's nice to go home."

Didirri played two sold-out solo shows at The Dart and Marlin in December, and a sold-out band show at The Whalers Hotel on Thursday.

He also played Sounds Better Together festival's Surf Coast show alongside Tones and I, Missy Higgins and Gordi the week before.

After a stagnant year the singer-songwriter is looking forward to be back playing shows, albeit with a more focused approach to mental health and slow living.

"2020 taught me to take breaks which is something I didn't realise touring for three years flat," he said.

"I spoke to my manager and said I will be taking days off between shows to spend time in the communities we're in rather than just seeing airports.

"It was so nice to jump off the Breakwater after soundcheck at our last Warrnambool show.

"It feels like we're on the right foot now and really taking in the places I'm going to is something I'm looking forward to."

READ MORE: The Standard's new podcast explores Warrnambool's Didirri's music to date

Peters has hit 2021 running, with a huge number of songs written and hints of an album to come.

"I've written 30 or 40 songs ready for another record, it's a 'when it rains it pours' kind of thing," he said with a laugh.

"I hit the studio on January 2 and recorded the first of what's coming next with my producer.

"It felt like coming back from a year off yet everyone was talking a Christmas break.

"I wanted to skip the slow winding into 2021.

"It's amazing to start the year off on a fundamentally creative level rather than a career level.

"Often the first month of the year you spend chatting about plans and schedules. It's so nice to be letting the spice flow and be back in an actual studio."

Musicians have been calling for a dedicated live music space ever since the closure of The Loft in 2019.

READ MORE: Young artists want more opportunities in south-west Victoria

A venue like The Dart and Marlin with its new outdoor performance area, is shaping up to be the answer to those calls.

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