Rubita (duo)
2025-12-17 20:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Local guitarist and singer-songwriter Rubita brings her soulful, electric sound to The Drunken Poet on October 1st. Known for her captivating vocals and infectious melodies, Rubita was the first female electric guitarist to graduate out of Otago University in 2015, and since then, she’s played her songs ‘Geraldine’ and ‘Strange Company’ at music festivals and venues across her home country of Aotearoa and more recently, Naarm/ Melbourne.

Kaliopi & the Blues Messengers
2026-01-21 20:00 - 23:30
Kaliopi & the Blues Messengers play The Poet!
KALIOPI and the BLUES MESSENGERS recently celebrated their 1st year anniversary performing St Kilda Blues Festival after officially launching at the Glenmaggie Blues & Roots Festival 2022 to vibrant receptions. In that time, Kaliopi’s band has supported some of our country’s blues icons for Double Trouble Blues Sessions with her team of seasoned musicians.
Kaliopi and the Blues Messengers have honed in on the works of Memphis Minnie as a fundamental mentor and the line of powerful women in blues since pre-WW. They have developed their unique texture using the Double bass like a sousaphone with flavours of early Dixieland piano, weaving clarinet blues licks and Delta Blues guitar over swinging groove shuffles topped with Kaliopi’s powerfully soulful vocals.
Their live shows are energetic and engaging attracting and building a steady following in Melbourne. They are receiving national raving reviews for their live performances and single releases through AMRAP, Australian Musician Neos Kosmos, the latter celebrating their native blues-woman.

Suzanne Petersen & Big John (Zhang Ling)
2026-02-04 20:00 - 23:30
Suzanne Petersen is a Geelong-based pianist, flautist, singer and songwriter whose music spans folk, blues, pop and jazz. Her releases have appeared on the Australian Blues & Roots charts, and in 2024 she made her solo debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, performing original songs including work from her upcoming release Down That Road. Big John (Zhang Ling) is a celebrated musician from China, known for his powerful voice, virtuosity on bass, and stage presence. A pioneering figure in introducing blues and jazz to Chinese audiences, he has fronted bands that blend blues with soul, rock, and beyond.

Girl Friday & The Sepia Tones
2026-03-11 20:00 - 23:30
Girl Friday & The Sepia Tones return to The Poet!

Emmy Ryan
2026-03-18 20:00 - 23:30
Emmy Ryan wants to tell you a story. Her songs carry truth like a heartbeat — stories of love, loss, belonging, and the land that holds us. Following in the footsteps of troubadours like Joan Baez and Paul Kelly, Emmy sings with fierce tenderness about what it means to find home, to face history, and to stay open-hearted in a complicated world. With songs that have earnt recognition in the International Songwriting Competition, the Listen Up Music Songwriting Prize, the NT Music Awards, and the Australian Bluegrass and Old Time Music Songwriting Competition, Emmy invites you in — not just to listen, but to feel.

Rubita
2026-04-01 21:00 - 23:30
As the first female electric guitar graduate from the University of Otago (NZ), Rubita crafts intricate, heartfelt songs shaped by her love of bossa nova, pop, and jazz, delivered through her velvety smooth vocals.
Come and join her at The Drunken Poet on April 1 to hear her latest tunes, along with an array of fresh guitar solos delivered using her loop pedal.

Peny Bohan
2026-04-15 20:00 - 23:30
Peny Bohan is an award winning local Melbourne singer songwriter whose sweet croonings will make you want to stay, buy a drink and let yourself be wrapped up in her melodies.
Honest, gritty and a wee bit seductive, Peny spins tales of her every day life, love, anxiety and her sometimes desire for hirsute men.

Suzette Herft
2026-04-22 20:00 - 23:30
Soulful, sublime and shining! Three words sum up this Melbourne based, exotic singer-songwriter from Sri Lanka.
Soulful songstress, contemporary troubadour, and weaver of magic with her heart moving original songs of resilience and triumph mixed with some joyful classics. Described as the ‘Australian Joan Baez’, Suzette is known for her beautiful voice and graceful stage presence.
Suzette has won wide acclaim for her brilliant tribute show to her hero – Joan Baez for being the ‘voice for the voiceless’ at numerous festivals around Australia, including standing ovations at recent Port Fairy Folk Festivals. With her band, she has recently breathed life into the songs and the story of Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, singers she admires.
Suzette is also masterful facilitator of singing sessions and a ‘song catcher’ with her wide-ranging repertoire and her passion for inclusivity, ‘giving everyone a voice’. Suzette is passionate about songwriting and inspired by a visit to Nashville, she founded the Melbourne Songwriters Guild. She has been a regular songwriting tutor at The Lake School for Celtic Music and other community groups.
Her songs have been finalists in the Australian Independent Music Awards over the years.

Cate Taylor
2026-05-06 20:00 - 23:30
Cate Taylor is an award winning, indie-folk/alt-country singer songwriter from Melbourne who has worked with a swathe of talented musicians including Justin Brady, Matthew Arnold, Nina Rose, Greg Hamilton and Ben Franz.
Cate’s music is rich, natural and grounded in resonant, spacious lyrics with a performance style that is authentic and engaging. Her songs reflect social, personal and environmental themes moving between raw, sparce arrangements to fuller compositions.

Grace King
2026-05-13 20:00 - 23:30
Grace King has an eclectic love of music, homemade and raw songwriting.

Connor Moore (NZ)
2026-05-13 21:00 - 23:30
Connor Moore is a prolific singer-songwriter with a voice like honey and lime. She’s a songwriter based in Melbourne who loves people watching and writing music. Connor is intrigued by the way we operate as humans and hope that you can relate or reminisce with her music in a timeless space.

Jessey Jackson
2026-05-27 21:00 - 23:30
A rare gem indeed; Jessey Jackson is quite simply a force to be reckoned with! Far from your average ‘run of the mill’ female performer; this self taught singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is often likened to celebrated artists such as the immortal Janis Joplin, Melissa Etheridge, Tracy Chapman and Stevie Nicks.
Now having completed her recent Ireland and Northern Territory Tours Jessey has returned to Victoria and is bringing the very best of her raw, emotive, and highly relatable original tunes to the Drunken Poet on Wednesday Oct 11th. If you long for the return to a time of truly unique and soulful original music… this is a show not to be missed!

Miss Lou's Blues!
2026-06-10 20:00 - 23:30
Charismatic and unmistakably talented, Miss Lou is a force to be reckoned with in the world of blues music.
As a solo blues singer, she has captivated audiences with her rich, soulful voice and dynamic stage presence.
Miss Lou is far from a one-note performer—her musical repertoire gracefully spans the realms of jazz, country, folk and gospel, creating a sound that is as diverse as it is powerful.
With her captivating presence, timeless style and some well-loved musicians by her side, Miss Lou leaves an unforgettable mark wherever she performs.

Rubita
2026-06-17 20:00 - 23:30
Rubita is the project of Aotearoa songstress and guitarist Rachel Kibblewhite. Rubita‘s indie-pop-latino tunes have received support from local radio station PBS FM, along with the Student Radio Network in New Zealand, with their track ‘Geraldine’ labeled as a favourite single from Flying Nun records in 2022. Joining Rubita in the current line up is Latino percussionist Christian Silva aka ‘la tortuga’, and funky bass player Flynn Osborne-McNeilly aka ‘la vallena blanca’.

Cécile Gardens (and band)
2026-06-24 20:00 - 23:30
Cécile Gardens is a 24-year-old country singer-songwriter originally from The Netherlands, now making her mark on Melbourne’s music scene. Her unique blend of traditional country sounds and contemporary themes creates an experience reminiscent of Nashville’s finest yet entirely her own. Drawing from her journey across continents, Cécile’s songwriting offers an intimate and honest window into her world. Backed by her tight-knit Melbourne band, she brings her stories to life on stage with energy that is both authentic and captivating. Don’t miss your chance to witness a rising star in the making.

Savanah Solomon
2026-06-25 20:00 - 23:30
Crowned 2024 Emerging Artist of the Year at the Western Australian Country Music Awards, Savanah Solomon is cementing her status as one of Australia’s most compelling voices in the country and folk music. Born in Derby and raised among the wide red plains and abundant oceans of Western Australia’s Kimberley region, Savanah’s songwriting is deeply shaped by place — evocative, grounded, and rich with emotional honesty.

Elke Louie
2026-07-01 20:00 - 23:30
Young Gympie indie folk singer-songwriter Elke Louie is set to release her debut EP ‘Lavender’ on 24 April 2026,
marking the occasion with tour dates across South East Queensland and her first performances in Victoria.
This engaging 5-track EP includes the dreamy new single and title track ‘Lavender,’ as well as earlier releases
‘Sandman’ and ‘Killing Time,’ both of which have garnered international acclaim. The tracks have been receiving
airplay on radio stations around Australia and overseas, with new single “Lavender” having it’s ‘First Play’ on
national youth radio Triple J.

Sherri Parry
2026-07-15 20:00 - 23:30
Sherri Parry has never sat comfortably in one box. This is especially true when it comes to her music. With a sound completely unique Parry blends genres unhesitatingly. Taking influence from solo artists such as Amy Winehouse, Hayley Williams and Mitski Parry has birthed her own commanding sound in songwriting. Think jazz chords, pop vocals, folk storytelling, soul emotion, and whatever else is nearby. The only thing retaining a constant is the catchiness of her song writing and power of her lyricism.
Born and bred in regional Victoria, Parry has been writing, releasing and performing in Central VIC since 2013. She opened for Australian music royalty John Butler in 2019 at the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival at Ulumburra theatre, three months before releasing her full-length album ‘Leave The Flowers’ in February 2020. With COVID 19 dismissing any chance of a tour, spent the isolation writing new music. Since January 2021, Parry joined forces with Bendigo guitarist, engineer and producer, Tom Hadlow to start building the next project. Working through the heat of the summer, the pair are independently recording and producing Parry’s new songs for her upcoming new album. The songs embody the feeling of melancholy, desperation, and anger shifting Parry’s music in a very new direction.

Elly McK & The Unbelievers
2026-07-22 20:00 - 23:30, 2026-08-26 20:00 - 23:30
Elly McK & The Unbelievers are an Australian alt-country and Americana powerhouse, shaking up the scene with their genre-defying sound.
Frontwoman Elly McK crafts hauntingly original songs that dance along edges of folk, alt-country, and Americana. Backed by The Unbelievers, the band delivers a mix of vintage-inspired vibes and foot-stomping grooves, blending raw storytelling, rich harmonies, and a sound that marries rootsy twang with modern grit. Known for their captivating live performances and evocative songwriting, Elly McK & The Unbelievers are carving a distinct path in the Australian music scene, becoming an undeniable force to watch.

Georgia Rodgers
2026-07-29 20:00 - 23:30
Bringing to the stage a combination of Blues and Jazz marrying an array of ambient guitar riffs and skilful use of a loop pedal; Georgia Rodgers is an artist you won’t want to miss.

Georgia is not only well known for her incredible guitar skills but also her voice and the journey she takes listeners on within her own compositions. This young musician takes the spotlight and captivates audiences through her ability to sing with raw emotion, joined with her iconic Telecaster Georgia’s voice and her musicality act as partners in crime, inviting all listeners to be a part of the beautiful love affair.

As a whole, Georgia creates an experience to share, not just an outstanding performance.

Yolanda Ingley II Trio
2026-08-05 20:00 - 23:30
There’s a defining old world charm to Melbourne songstress Yolanda Ingley II – equally wielding smoky vocals and impassioned heart, Yolanda’s songs dip into soul, blues and jazz with inherent sophistication that draw to mind the greats of eras passed.
Yolanda is playing two sets at The Poet from 8-10pm.

Safari Motel
2026-08-12 20:00 - 23:30
Safari Motel is back with fresh energy and new grooves! Join Nicole, Jason, Simon, and Damo at The Drunken Poet in West Melbourne for a night of electric tunes and infectious rhythms. With fresh faces on guitar and drums, we’re bringing a whole new level of passion to the stage—ready to do what we were born to do. Don’t miss the revival of the Safari Motel experience!

Suzie So Blue
2026-08-19 20:00 - 23:30
Warm up your Wednesday night on 19 August with Suzie So Blue live at the legendary Drunken Poet from 8–10pm, just steps from the Queen Vic Winter Night Market. Settle in for two intimate sets of soulful folk, blues and dark country storytelling from one of Melbourne’s captivating independent voices.

Known for her haunting vocals, hypnotic tenor guitar and emotionally raw songwriting, Suzie So Blue brings a rich mix of originals and carefully chosen covers to one of Melbourne’s favourite listening rooms.

Grace Forster
2026-09-02 20:00 - 23:30
Grace Forster is a singer-songwriter whose music blends vulnerability and strength in equal measure. With stripped-back, heartfelt lyrics and raw, intimate performances, she creates a space where audiences feel seen and connected.
Drawing inspiration from lived experiences and honest storytelling, Grace’s songs invite listeners to step into her world of emotion, resilience, and self-discovery. Performing both originals and carefully chosen covers, Grace brings her artistry to life on stage, whether in small, soulful shows or lively local busking sessions.
Her warm tone and magnetic presence capture attention instantly, leaving audiences with melodies that linger long after the final note. Currently building a growing fanbase across Australia and beyond, Grace is committed to making music her life, sharing songs that connect people and moments in unforgettable ways. With new releases on the horizon and a passion for creating music that speaks to the heart, Grace Forster is a voice to watch.

Rachel Clark
2026-09-02 21:00 - 23:30
Rachel Clark returns to The Poet for Wine, Whiskey, Women!
Self-taught Singer-Songwriter, Rachel Clark, has crafted a musical journey that blends heartfelt storytelling with a sultry and soulful acoustic folk vibe. With raw honesty, she delves into the depths of the human experience, heartache to humour, offering introspective narratives on loss, love, and the battles we all face.

Candice Alisha
2026-09-09 21:00 - 23:30
Candice Alisha is a blues and folk singer songwriter originally hailing from Wodonga, Victoria but now local to Melbourne after making the move to the big city to pursue her career at the beginning of 2019. After working as a full-time musician in various bands for the better part of a decade, Candice has struck out on her own with her strong, deep and powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence.
