Daniel Watkins, Justin Vilchez and Jim Taylor play the songs of Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt
2024-06-11 20:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)

NJ Rijs plays the songs of Paul Kelly
2024-06-18 20:00 - 23:30

BackBeat Play Early Beatles
2024-07-02 20:00 - 23:30
BackBeat play the songs of the early Beatles!
Sixty years ago The Beatles performed in Melbourne at Festival Hall. Just a few weeks later they released their first movie, A Hard Day’s Night. For those of you that missed these fun events back in the day! BackBeat will be playing the set list as performed by The Beatles during their Melbourne performance as well as other fab early Beatles numbers from their rocking, sweaty Hamburg & Cavern club days. BackBeat are looking forward to their debut gig at the Drunken Poet – it’s sure to be one hell of a 60’s shindig!

Duncan Phillips plays the songs of Gram Parsons
2024-07-09 20:00 - 23:30

Bag O'Nails play the songs of Gary Moore
2024-07-16 20:00 - 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!
Guitarist and frontman Trevor Murray, joined by John Hampton on bass and Kaos on drums, will be paying tribute to the late great Gary Moore. Performing hits such as, ‘Don’t Believe A Word’ , ’Walking By Myself’ , ‘Pretty Woman’ and of course ‘Still Got The Blues For You’ Plus many more!
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate one Belfast’s cherished and legendary musicians.

Kier Stevens and Rosie Luby play Tex, Don & Charlie
2024-07-23 20:00 - 23:30
Kier Stevens and Rosie Luby play the songs of Tex, Don, & Charlie at the undoubtedly inimitable Drunken Poet.

Rosie Luby is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Melbourne. From her earliest years Rosie has been surrounded by music, particularly Irish traditional music and other acoustic folk styles, and reflects this lifelong commitment back through numerous shows and lessons around Melbourne and at festivals. Her passion for voice is matched by her towering command of it and is evident to any new listener from the very first note.

A Melbournian for the last decade, guitarist Kier Stevens has honed and refined his instrumental and songwriting work and discovered a great passion for steel guitar (dobro, lap steel, and pedal steel). After many many gigs around town Kier’s proficiency and unique voice on the instrument grows and sees him place it in unusual genres – experimental, Indian, etc.

Kier and Rosie perform and write together in their cello/dobro duo named Come Heavy Sleep but come together with guitar/mandolin/pedal steel on this occasion to share a mutual love of sad songs in the fine work of Tex, Don, & Charlie. This undoubtedly excellent evening occurs on Tuesday 28th March at that great venue, The Drunken Poet.

Nick Charles and Mick Pealing play The Great Protest Songs
2024-08-06 20:00 - 23:30
Two icons of Australian roots music, Mick Pealing and Nick Charles present a once only show featuring some of the greatest protest songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Rousing songs of courage, redemption, and rebellion. So many great songs with so much to say! Don’t miss this opportunity.

Helen Ryder plays the songs of Bobbie Gentry
2024-08-13 20:00 - 23:30
Following on from her show at The Caravan Music Club and Out On The Weekend 2021 Helen Ryder will present an intimate duo show of her favourite Bobbie Gentry songs accompanied by special guest Lachlan Bryan on guitar for the Drunken Poet’s Tuesday Tribute night.
Gentry’s first single Ode To Billie Joe, released in 1967, created the haunting southern gothic style she became famous for and is considered one of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Hailing from Chickasaw County, Mississippi, her career spanned seventeen years with seven studio albums, 30 compilation albums, a duet album with Glen Campbell and a live album from her BBC TV show.
Blessed with a voice that could dig deep on country soul like Mississippi Delta or tender and sultry on pop ballads like Morning Glory, Gentry remains ever influential and enduring today, especially with the release of her 2018 boxset; the 2019 reinterpretation of Delta Sweete by Mercury Rev featuring the likes of Lucinda Williams.
This one hour performance includes the fascinating and mysterious story of one of the first female singer songwriters to write, record and produce her own material, who in Roseanne Cash’s words ‘ruled the airwaves in 1967 with her #1 hit Ode To Billie Joe.

Noah Peters plays the songs of the White Stripes
2024-08-27 20:00 - 23:30
Noah Peters plays the songs of the White Stripes!
The White Stripes, formed in 1997 by Jack and Meg White, are a Detroit-based duo known for their raw, minimalist sound blending blues, punk, and garage rock. Their iconic hits like “Seven Nation Army” and “Fell in Love with a Girl” redefined rock, earning them global acclaim.

James Cisco plays the songs of Willie Nelson
2024-09-17 20:00 - 23:30
James Cisco plays the songs of Willie Nelson!

Clare Cowley plays the songs of Patti Smith
2024-09-24 20:00 - 23:30
A musical storyteller, deeply grounded in the folk traditions Clare Cowley is playing at The Drunken Poet and paying tribute to the legend herself – Patti Smith!

Patti Smith is a pioneering American musician, poet, and visual artist, renowned for blending punk rock with literary influences. Her groundbreaking 1975 album Horses redefined the genre, establishing her as the “Godmother of Punk.” Smith’s work continues to inspire generations with its raw emotion and poetic depth.

RRGrenville and Retrobates play the songs of Fats Waller
2024-10-01 20:00 - 23:30
RRGrenville and Retrobates play the songs of Fats Waller
Rob Grenville is an veteran in the Melbourne Roots scene: Jazz, Swing, R&B and Country. As the guitar player for the Moonee Valley Drifters, he covers the Honky Tonk tunes.

Roz Girvan and Greg Field play the songs of Jackson Browne
2024-10-29 20:00 - 23:30
Roz Girvan and Greg Field play songs of Jackson Browne

Kier Stevens plays the songs of Nick Lowe
2024-11-26 20:00 - 23:30
Get ready for another incredible Tribute Tuesday at The Drunken Poet!
This week, Kier Stevens takes the stage to celebrate the legendary Nick Lowe.
Known for his melodic craftsmanship and witty lyrics, Lowe’s influence on British rock and power pop has been monumental. Join us as Stevens dives into Lowe’s timeless repertoire, bringing beloved hits and deep cuts to life with his unique style and passion.
Don’t miss this intimate night of classic tunes, cozy atmosphere, and pints flowing at Melbourne’s iconic Irish pub.

The Treblettes play the songs of The Andrew Sisters
2024-12-03 20:00 - 23:30
The Treblettes are a sassy vocal trio performing iconic songs from The Andrew Sisters!

Van Walker play the songs of The Kinks
2024-12-10 20:00 - 23:30
Join us at The Drunken Poet for a night dedicated to the legendary sounds of The Kinks, as Van Walker takes the stage to bring these classic tunes to life! Known for his unique storytelling and heartfelt performances, Van Walker is ready to dive into the gritty, raw, and infectious energy that made The Kinks iconic.

Good Guy Hank play the songs of Hank Williams
2025-01-07 20:00 - 23:30
Good Guy Hank play the songs of Hank Williams!

Thomas Kendle plays the songs of Flatt and Scruggs
2025-02-04 20:00 - 23:30
Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys did much to popularize bluegrass music. Their sound became widely recognized in the 1960s through their recording of “The Ballad of Jed Clampett,” the theme for the network television show The Beverly Hillbillies.
Both Flatt and Scruggs grew up in rural farm homes immersed in rich musical traditions. Both worked in textile mills before becoming full-time musicians. Flatt, who left school at the age of twelve and married at the age of seventeen, began his radio career in 1939 and worked in several bands, including that of Charlie Monroe and his Kentucky Partners, with whom, in 1943, he sang tenor and played guitar and mandolin. In 1945, Flatt was hired as guitarist and lead singer in Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys.

Andy Baylor plays the Bob Dylans Country songs
2025-02-11 20:00 - 23:30

Moonee Valley Drifters play the songs of Lefty Frizzell
2025-02-18 20:00 - 23:30
Poet faves The Moonee Valley Drifters play the songs of Lefty Frizzell

James Taylor, Darren Maxfield and Greg Field play the songs of Robbie Fulks
2025-02-25 20:00 - 23:30
Join us at 8 PM for a special tribute to the storytelling brilliance of Robbie Fulks!
James Taylor, Darren Maxfield, and Greg Field take the stage to deliver an unforgettable night of folk, alt-country, and Americana classics, celebrating one of the genre’s sharpest songwriters.
Grab a tasty pint, soak in the tunes, and let these seasoned musicians take you on a journey through Fulks’ rich catalog.

Katankin plays the songs of Paul Simon
2025-03-04 20:00 - 23:30
Katankin brings her exquisite voice and artistry to the timeless songs of Paul Simon.
With intricate arrangements and a deep connection to the craft of songwriting, Katankin will breathe new life into classics from Graceland, Still Crazy After All These Years, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and beyond. Expect a night of stunning vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and a fresh take on one of the greatest songwriters of our time.

Rory Newman plays the songs of Van Morrison
2025-03-11 20:00 - 23:30
Rory Newman brings the songs of Van Morrison to life with soul, passion, and a voice that’ll take you straight to Cypress Avenue. From the deep grooves of Moondance to the raw beauty of Astral Weeks, expect a night filled with timeless classics and hidden gems.

Suzette Herft plays the songs of Joan Baez
2025-03-18 20:00 - 23:30
With a voice as rich and timeless as the songs she sings, Suzette Herft pays tribute to the legendary Joan Baez in a night of soaring melodies and heartfelt storytelling. From protest anthems to ballads of love and loss, Suzette brings warmth, grace, and a deep connection to the music that defined a generation.

Vardos pay tribute for Greek Independence Day
2025-03-25 20:00 - 23:30
Vardos pay tribute for Greek Independence Day!
Driven by Alana’s wild violin, chased by accordion and double bass, Vardos play folk and Romany music learnt from Rroma (Gypsy) musicians during their travels in Eastern Europe. Based in Melbourne, Australia, the band has toured to Hungary, France, Berlin, Switzerland, Amsterdam, New Caledonia, New Zealand, London and Scotland.

Taylor Project and Greg Steps play the songs of Blink 182
2025-04-01 20:00 - 23:30
“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
