Taylor Project and Greg Steps play the songs of Blink 182
2025-04-01 20:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
“What’s my age again?”
Taylor Project and Greg Steps pay tribute to Blink 182 in Country & Folk style! Experience this iconic band in a whole different genre!
What’s my age again? And what the hell is Call ID?
Join Taylor Project and Greg Steps for a Tribute Tuesday presenting Blink 182 songs in country and folk style.
Revel in the “I don’t know whether to kill myself or go bowling” country humour hidden in Blink 182 lyrics, and have the excuse to enjoy these wonderful 1990s and 2000s songs again, from a band that dominated punk-pop and absorbed the Jackass aesthetic of the era, but also valued effective songwriting and could have stepped sideways into other genres. At least, that’s our theory.
The Taylor Project have written and recorded music since 2008, and have performed at many bars, pubs, festivals and community events, with an idiosyncratic and entertaining folk music style featuring mandolin, violin, harmonies and much thought-through lyrics. The band is built around twin sisters Liz Taylor and Sarah Taylor, both of whom also enjoy chatting through song backgrounds on stage.
Greg Steps is an indie-folk singer songwriter with a distinctive, homespun voice, an inherently watchful eye and a vivid imagination. He is a friend of Taylor Project, an excellent performer, but not, as yet, a fan of Blink 182. Join us as we win him over. Or just join us for watching, waiting, and commiserating!

Oh Gibson with Duncan Stephen play the songs of Doc Watson
2025-04-08 20:00 - 23:30

The Acrobats play the songs of The Cure
2025-04-15 20:00 - 23:30
Inspired by The Cure’s stunning new album, Chris Keogh and Tom Caley from The Acrobats bring ‘Two Re-imaginary Boys’ to The Drunken Poet. This show will delve into The Cure’s extensive and eclectic songbook in full acoustic mode. From the early post punk, through their dark and haunting moments, to the pristine pop and everything in between, expect to hear classics and deep cuts that cover the duration of The Cure’s full treasure chest.

Ingrid Saker plays the songs of Hendrix
2025-04-22 20:00 - 23:30

Yolanda Ingley plays the songs of John Lennon
2025-04-29 20:00 - 23:30

Reuben Ishrahm plays the songs of Chris Stapleton
2025-05-20 20:00 - 23:30
Reuben Ishrahm dives deep into the soulful sounds of Chris Stapleton, delivering a heartfelt set of songs by one of country music’s modern greats. Grit, gravel, and golden tones – this one’s for fans of raw emotion and powerhouse vocals.

Girl Friday plays the songs of Barbara Dane
2025-05-27 20:00 - 23:30
Girl Friday plays the songs of Barbara Dane!
Join us for a soul-stirring evening as Girl Friday brings the powerful protest songs and bluesy ballads of Barbara Dane to life. With heartfelt vocals and vintage charm, this tribute celebrates the voice of a true folk legend. Don’t miss this moving homage to a musical trailblazer!

Duncan Phillips plays the songs of Steve Earl
2025-06-03 20:00 - 23:30
Duncan Phillips plays the songs of Steve Earl
Duncan picked up his first guitar at the tender age of eight. By fourteen he was a mainstay of the local gig and festival circuit. With a sound and sensibility that leans heavily into the likes of Tom Petty, Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen, Duncan’s take on Americana rock genre has won hearts and minds on Melbourne’s live music scene and at national radio stations like PBS and 3RRR.
Multi-talented Steve Earle was born on a military base in Hampton, Virginia in 1955. He dropped out of school in the 9th grade to pursue a career in music, then moved to Nashville in 1975 and worked as a staff writer for RCA Records. His own debut album, Guitar Town, was not released until 1986, earning Grammy nominations for Best Country Male Vocalist and Best Country Song for the title track. Earle followed that up with two Grammy nominations for the album Exit 0 in 1988.

Earle documented his long struggle with drug addiction in his biography, Hardcore Troubadour: The Life and Near Death of Steve Earle. He began using heroin when he was 13 and spent the 1990s, as he has famously referred to it, “vacationing in the ghetto.” He was regularly seen drunk or high on cocaine around Nashville. His money spent on drugs or alcohol and no longer fit to perform, Earle borrowed money from friends or pawned his guitars to feed his habit. Finally, in 1994, he was sentenced to prison and a stay in rehab after failing to appear for a court date. By January 1995, Earle was sober and released his comeback album, Train A Comin’, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 1996.

His first Grammy came in 2005 for Best Contemporary Folk Album for The Revolution Starts…Now. Earle is well known for his liberal political views and this album stirred up some controversy for its anti-Iraq War leanings. The title track was used as the theme song to Earle’s radio show on Air America, which was on the air from August 2004 through June 2007. He said in 2007 that part of the reason he moved to Greenwich Village in New York was he was “tired of being behind enemy lines” in Nashville, where he had lived for over 30 years.

Bill Barber plays the songs of Chess Records
2025-06-10 20:00 - 23:30
Tonight, we pay tribute to the gritty, ground-breaking sounds of Chess Records. Join us as bluesman Bill Barber takes the stage to honour the legends—Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James and more.

Pete Cornelius plays the songs of Tom Waits
2025-06-17 20:00 - 23:30
Pete Cornelius plays the songs of Tom Waits!

Garry Allen plays the songs of Robert Johnson
2025-06-24 20:00 - 23:30
Garry Allen is a singer/songwriter/guitarist based in Melbourne. He has a love for the old blues – raw and pure. Robert Johnson is a towering figure who has inspired generations of blues and rock musicians. His songs have left their mark and his delivery is still unmatched. Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and other giants have sited Robert Johnson as their biggest inspiration.
Garry pays homage to this blues god to the best of his ability! Garry’s CD (Garry Allen Plays Robert Johnson) has been played on Blues radio stations around the country. Werner Martin (Night Owls on Rhythm 3CR) has had calls that Garry is “The Real Deal” by listeners of his long running show.
Garry will present The Drunken Poet’s audience a show shining the spotlight on Robert Johnson’s greatest songs. Also, Blind Boy Fuller, Son House and Charley Patton will be given a nod showcasing the influences each artist had on each other.
This show promises a night of intimate acoustic blues sung and played with passion and reverence.
The real deal!

Viki Mealing & Peter O'Shae play the songs of The Pogues
2025-07-08 20:00 - 23:30
Peter O’Shea is a veteran of the Australian Music scene and a multi Golden Fiddle award winner. He has played in countless bands, recording sessions, appeared on TV, radio, films and theatre productions as a Musician and actor, notably ‘Ned Kelly’, the 2003 film starring Heath Ledger. He has 3 solo albums and has produced 4 music books. Peter’s original compositions reflect the diversity and colour of his hometown Melbourne.

Viki Mealings is the lead singer of alt country folksters Brittle Sun. Her powerful voice belies her small stature. They weave lyrical storytelling with evocative melodies. They grew out of the thriving spoken word and music scene in Brunswick. They have an expansive, diverse repertoire and their live performances are energetic and fearless. They have recently released an album ‘Falling Stars and Magpies’.

Viki and Peter met for a Sinead O’Connor tribute show at The Drunken Poet and bonded over a shared love of Irish music and The Pogues. They are thrilled and honoured to be paying tribute to this extraordinary band at one of Australia’s best Irish bars.

James Shortland Trio plays the songs of Thelonious Monk
2025-07-15 20:00 - 23:30
Step into the world of bebop brilliance as the James Shortland Trio pays tribute to jazz icon Thelonious Monk. Expect sharp rhythms, unexpected turns, and masterful improvisation from one of Melbourne’s finest trios.

Stu Thomas and Tanya-Lee Davies play the songs of Lee & Nancy
2025-07-29 20:00 - 23:30
Stu Thomas joins with Tanya-Lee Davies to play the iconic songs of Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood. Drawing from the duets and their separate careers. Get along to Sugar Town.

Van Walker plays the songs of Ronnie Lane
2025-08-05 20:00 - 23:30
Van Walker plays the songs of Ronnie Lane!
Van Walker is a well loved singer/songwriter who was described by Rhythms Magazine as “A devoted songwriter..Walker is a much revered, almost cult figure locally.”

Catfish Gumbo pay tribute to Louisiana Blues
2025-08-12 20:00 - 23:30
Catfish Gumbo pay tribute to Louisiana Blues!

Brendan Lloyd plays the songs of John Williamson
2025-08-19 20:00 - 23:30
Like a lot of kids born in the 80s and raised on a farm, Brendan Lloyd fell in love with John Williamson songs from an early age. In fact, it’s fair to say that JW was the entire reason he ever picked up a guitar. Enjoy an evening of nostalgic Australiana with a selection of JW’s best from the 80s and 90s, accompanied by the inimitable Craig Kelly on bass.

Mick Pealing and Nick Charles play the songs of Rod Stewart
2025-08-26 20:00 - 23:30

Redfish Bluegrass play the songs of Willie Nelson
2025-09-16 20:00 - 23:30

The Strays play the songs of The Stray Cats
2025-09-23 20:00 - 23:30
The songs and music of the Stray Cats and Brian Setzer.

An intimate gig with Dizzy Davidson Frontman singer and guitarist of The melbourne rockabilly trio The Strays performing STRAY TRAX (THE MUSIC of The STRAY CATS and Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker

With his 59 Orange jumbo Gretsch 6120 , tube amplification , analogue delay and a touch of cat class and cat style come along to the Drunken Poet Tuesday 23rd September to hear Dizzy and standup sidekick play some of the stray cats biggest hits , family favourites and rarities.

Now get your cat clothes on
Let’s rock this town”
Cat Class , Cat Style
Dizzy Davidson

Joshua Batten plays the songs of Bowie
2025-10-07 20:00 - 23:30
Joshua Batten plays the songs of Bowie!
Ground control to Major Tom! Joshua Batten makes his triumphant return to Tuesday Tribute night at the Drunken Poet with a one-hour set of David Bowie’s greatest hits, covering the ‘Golden Years’ of 1969-1983! Put on your red shoes and dance the blues with JB as he plays DB at the DP!

James Shortland Trio plays the songs of Herbie Hancock
2025-10-21 20:00 - 23:30
James Shortland Trio plays the songs of Herbie Hancock – Tribute Tuesday at The Poet!

Claire Cowley plays the songs of Fleetwood Mac!
2025-10-21 20:00 - 23:30

Rory Newman plays the songs of John Martyn
2025-11-11 20:00 - 23:30
Rory Newman plays the songs of John Martyn!

Bag O'Nails
2025-11-15 21:00 - 23:30
Bag O’ Nails are probably Melbourne’s most dynamic and electrifying Blues-Rock trio, wowing audiences with their scorching live performances since 2004!

Mandy Connell & Girl Friday pay tribute to Folk Songstresses
2025-11-18 20:00 - 23:30
Girl Friday and Mandy Connell possess an irreverent magic when they’re together. Known across Australia and New Zealand as songwriters drawing inspiration from old traditions of blues, jazz and folk, the sassy pair can break your heart with a note, or leave you in tears of laughter. Performing two sets for the beloved regular wednesday Wine, Whiskey, Women show at the Drunken Poet, we’ll see standout sets from both winning women and collaborations in both sets, featuring harmonies, humour and compelling strings work from these multi instrumental divas – a feast of story in a bath of moving sound.
Paying tribute to Folk Songstresses!

Clare Cowley plays the songs of Fleetwood Mac
2025-11-25 20:00 - 23:30
Meanjin based musician, fascinated by the effect of Fleetwood Mac songs, particularly Christie McVee’s, reaching the collective conscious of Australian music lovers, Clare is bringing her stripped back take on their signature folk pop rock. Offering a hand picked setlist delivered with her smoky vocals and harmonica, accompanied by, finger style guitar. Clare’s recent showcases of new singles anticipate Clare’s third full length album, Synthetic Lover, recorded in West Brunswick.

Adam Hattaway (NZ) plays the songs of Van Morrison
2025-12-02 20:00 - 23:30
Adam Hattaway (nz) sings the songs of Van Morrison. Likened to Van Morrison in his own songwriting and singing, Adam has been saluting Van with his 10 piece soul band across New Zealand. Now in Naarm, Adam will play a stripped back set of his favourites with guitarist Elmore Jones. Featuring songs from Astral Weeks, Veedon Fleece, Moondance, Days Like This and more.

Daniel Watkins plays the songs of Gordon Lightfoot
2025-12-09 20:00 - 23:30
Saddle up for an evening of timeless storytelling and heartfelt folk classics as Daniel Watkins of the High Street Drifters brings the iconic songbook of Gordon Lightfoot to life at The Drunken Poet.
Expect warm acoustic tones, poetic ballads, and Watkins’ signature authenticity as he honours one of folk music’s greatest voices.
Whether you’re a lifelong Lightfoot fan or discovering the magic for the first time, this is a show you won’t want to miss.

Brooke Russell, Tamara Murphy and Jacob McGuffie play Neko Case
2025-12-23 20:00 - 23:30
Brooke Russell, Tamara Murphy and Jacob McGuffie, bring the music of Neko Case to Tribute Tuesday at the Drunken Poet, 23rd December 2025.
With an esteemed solo career and an incredible list of collaborators, Neko Case has been a hero to many young songwriters and a well-known voice to a generation.
As tribute, this trio will perform songs from her extensive back catalogue, and include a few classic covers and guest appearances that Neko has been a part of.
From her early country and rockabilly influence, to her startling vocal collaborations with Kelly Hogan, the set list has been crafted to show her versatility and artistry.
