The Strays play the songs of The Stray Cats
2025-09-23 20:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
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.

Ciaran Boyle plays the songs of Josh Ritter
2026-01-06 20:00 - 23:30
Ciaran is better known for his Irish setlist but has long played the songs of Josh Ritter to his own amusement and would love the chance to share the lyric based songs of Josh Ritter. Josh lived in Ireland for a period of his creative life so brought his Idaho based country music and fused it with the singer songwriter movement of the time. He is softly spoken but strongly written with songs of American disillusionment such as ‘All some kind of Dream’. Come enjoy & “have mercy on the man who sings to be adored”!

Oscar LaDell plays the songs of Curtis Mayfield
2026-01-27 20:00 - 23:30

The Ocelots play Tom Waits first album "Closing Time"
2026-02-10 20:00 - 23:30
The Ocelots play Tom Waits first album “Closing Time”

Stella Anning Trio plays the songs of Khruangbin
2026-02-17 20:00 - 23:30
Blending Thai funk, Iranian pop, dub, psychedelia, soul, and surf rock, KHRUANGBIN have built a global cult following — and inspired musicians everywhere.
Led by guitarist Stella Anning, STAT blends electric grit with jazz-school sensibilities, wrapping tight rhythm section interplay in a wash of vintage tones and soulful spontaneity. In this exclusive tribute performance, STAT brings this iconic sound to life. Expect the deep grooves, lush guitar tones, and dreamy, worldly textures that define the Khruangbin experience — all reimagined through STAT’s creative lens.
This is more than a tribute — it’s a celebration of groove, connection, and vibe.

Viki Mealing and Peter O’Shea play the songs of Sinead O'Connor
2026-02-24 20:00 - 23:30
Viki Mealing and Peter O’Shea play the songs of Sinead O’Connor

Those Folk play the songs of The Beatles
2026-03-03 20:00 - 23:30
Charismatic, authentic, and entertaining, Lawrence Menard (USA) and Clare Quinn (AUS) are the transpacific-troubadours known as Those Folk. ‘All You Need Is Love’ is a concert where these two performers celebrate their love for The Beatles. The show pays tribute to the hooks and harmonies from one of the greatest bands in the history of pop music. Those Folk are honoured to present All You Need Is Love – a chance to hear The Beatles stripped back and re-imagined.

Katie Robinson plays the songs of Taylor Swift
2026-03-24 20:00 - 23:30
This upcoming gig marks my very first Taylor Swift–themed night in Australia, and I couldn’t be more excited. Bringing sequins and sparkles from the North of England straight to Melbourne! From classic bangers to the latest releases, Taylor Swift never fails to deliver the perfect soundtrack, and this night will be no different. As a 2010s girl, Taylor Swift will always have a place in my Spotify playlist. Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or more of a car-radio listener, expect a night full of energy, dancing, and—of course—great music.

R.R. Grenville plays the songs of Nat King Cole
2026-03-31 20:00 - 23:30

Adrian Whitehead plays the songs of John Lennon
2026-04-07 20:00 - 23:30
Ask anyone about The Beatles and they’ll likely say: Paul wrote the ballads, John wrote the rockers.

But a deeper listen to John Lennon’s remarkable catalogue reveals something more—an artist capable of writing love songs that are as tender as they are sharp, as vulnerable as they are honest.

On Tuesday 7th January, local singer-songwriter and devoted Lennon fan Adrian Whitehead presents Lennon Love Songs, a tribute to some of Lennon’s most moving and intimate works.

Rediscover the depth, beauty, and edge of these timeless songs in a live performance that celebrates Lennon’s softer, more reflective side. Show starts at 8pm.

The Funkadelic Side plays the songs of James Brown
2026-04-14 20:00 - 23:30
Come and join us at The Drunken Poet where James Brown, ‘The Godfather of Soul’, will be brought to life in an exciting and dynamic tribute show performed by Michael GT Blair and The Funkadelic Side. The band will deliver a set of music with a horn-driven, funky rhythm-and-blues sound that will make your night an experience to remember.

During the set you will hear many of the James Brown favourite hits performed in this great tribute show. Songs like: ‘I Feel Good’, ‘Sex Machine’, ‘It’s a Man’s World’, ‘Cold Sweat’, ‘Get on the Good foot’, ‘Papa’s got a brand-new Bag’, and more.

Redfish Bluegrass plays the songs of Dwight Yoakam
2026-04-28 20:00 - 23:30
Redfish Bluegrass plays the songs of Dwight Yoakam!
Dwight Yoakam is famous for his pioneering country music. Popular since the early 1980s, he has recorded more than 21 albums and compilations, charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and sold more than 25 million records. Yoakam has recorded 5 Billboard #1 Albums, 12 Gold Albums, and 9 Platinum Albums, including the Triple Platinum This Time.
Join us for a night of Country swagger at The Poet!

Kier Stevens playing the songs of Tex, Don & Charlie
2026-05-05 20:00 - 23:30

Rufous Whistler play the songs of Mandolin Orange / Watchhouse
2026-05-12 20:00 - 23:30
Rufous Whistler play the songs of Mandolin Orange / Watchhouse “10 years of Blindfaller” performing the album front to back.

The Otago Players play the songs of BB King
2026-05-19 20:00 - 23:30
The Otago Players play the songs of BB King!

Stu Thomas and Tanya-Lee Davies doing Lee and Nancy
2026-05-26 20:00 - 23:30
Stu Thomas and Tanya-Lee Davies doing Lee and Nancy!

Adam Hattaway and Nick Armstrong play Bruce Springsteen
2026-06-09 20:00 - 23:30

Jade Lawford plays the songs of Amy Winehouse
2026-06-16 20:00 - 23:30
Jade Lawford is a blues, soul and jazz singer from South East Melbourne. Much of her vocal styling and musical inspiration derives from artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King and most notably Amy Winehouse herself!
She is thrilled to dedicate a beautifully curated one hour tribute in honour of Miss Winehouse at The Drunken Poet with her band. With Kat on keys, Dylan Hind on guitar, Theo on drums and Bailey Roe on bass, come celebrate one of the most phenomenally unique, raw and intimate female artists in music history on a fantastic evening!

Maggie Carty pays tribute to Dolores Keane
2026-06-23 20:00 - 23:30

Baby Salma & Lucie Mallinson play the songs of the Cranberries
2026-06-30 20:00 - 23:30
All the way from Bali, Baby Salma brings a mix of youthful spirit, acoustic grit, and alternative rock influence, delivering intimate live performances filled with emotion and nostalgia, blending her sultry, soulful vocals with that alternative edginess. Accompanying her, Melbourne bassist Lucie Malinson fills the low end with warm, steady grooves and tasteful bassline. Together, they combine expressive vocals with rich bass accompaniment. Together, they bring a fresh yet nostalgic approach to acoustic alternative music.
