Bears and Lions

When a group of adults repeatedly takes to the stage wearing furry (and not very realistic) animal costumes, there had better be a backstory.

From Gainesville, the group Bears and Lions sing original songs and fun covers in their own style. While they appeal to everyone, their focus is to provide fun songs for kids, often with a message of freedom and acceptance. Founded in the early 2010s, Bears and Lions have played several festivals, including the 2019 Austin City Limits Music Festival. This, of course, happened after the animals had "escaped."

The story goes that Bear and Lion were caged in a circus and fed pancakes by a sympathetic bearded lady. At some point, she hid the key to the cage in a stack of pancakes, and they escaped to sing songs and bring joy. Ultimately, they were joined by a virtual menagerie. In addition to lead singers Bear and Lion (who also play guitar), the band has included Zebra on keyboards, Giraffe on drums, Moose on the horn, Gorilla on bass, and Bison on steel guitar. 

In 2022, the group released Wild and Free, a children's EP produced by 8 Pound Gorilla Records, and featuring the songs "Go to Bed!," "The Wagon," and "Friendship Song." 

This independent and self-managed band still performs frequently in Florida, including St. Augustine's Sing Out Loud Festival.