The Drunken Poet

Marty Kelly
2025-03-01 15:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Marty Kelly returns to The Poet on Saturday afternoon, all welcome!

Northern Shiners
2025-02-28 20:30 - 23:30
Daniel Watkins and Justin Vilchez are back, bringing their signature style and fresh energy for another stellar night of tunes. Known for their dynamic chemistry and masterful musicianship, these two always deliver the goods!
This time, they’ll be joined by the talented Jim Taylor on double bass, adding an extra layer of depth to the evening’s sound.

Ben Antoniadis
2025-02-27 21:00 - 23:30
Melbourne born and bred, Ben Antoniadis has been writing songs most of his life. Mining the heavens for that one golden rhyme, for that one melody line to keep a soul company on the long, lonesome road.

With family roots in the Greek island of Icaria and the North of England, Antoniadis sings of life lived, souls lost and found, dreams run aground. Sometimes a flight too close to the sun, sometimes a descent deep into the underground, though always a light of hope up ahead.

Antoniadis will perform songs from his latest album, “Mad Season” (2024), among others.

Olivia Lay
2025-02-27 20:00 - 23:30
Olivia Lay is a singer/songwriter known for her compelling guitar playing and story telling inspired by the likes of John Butler, Newton Faulkner and John Mayer. Some of her career highlights include supporting Thirsty Merc, Ruby Fields, Baker Boy and Nathan Cavaleri, as well as performing at NYE on the Hill festival, Queenscliff Music Festival and winning the regional battle of the bands competition (2019).

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.

The Mighty Ghosts of Erin
2025-02-22 15:00 - 23:30
The Mighty Ghosts of Erin bring a feast of Irish folk and ballads, sprinkled with a touch of trad and plenty of craic. Tony and Carmel have been performing together for over 20 years, touring beautiful spots around the globe and gracing major festivals with their heartfelt music. For them, it’s all about the love of music and the joy it brings.
Tony, father to Irish singer-songwriter Dan McCabe, and Carmel, his stepmum, will join Dan as special guests on his Australian tour this May, with Melbourne as one of the stops. The musical tradition runs deep in the family, with younger members Finn (12) and Roisin (14) also taking the stage on occasion, making music a true family affair.
With songs like Dirty Old Town, Whiskey in the Jar, The Men Behind the Bar, and classics from legends like The Wolfe Tones, The Dubliners, and The Fureys, The Mighty Ghosts of Erin celebrate the great traditions of Irish music and storytelling.

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

Greg Champion with Pete Fidler
2025-02-16 16:00 - 23:30
This pair is part of Melbourne’s Musical Furniture. Both have decades-long histories in this town.
Champs fronted The Fabulaires in the 80s, & still in the 80s, played in Young Homebuyers & Maniac Rockers From Hell.
In the noughties Greg formed Useful Members of Society, with Daddy Cool’s Wayne Duncan & Ross Hannaford.
Maybe best-known for 41 years with radio’s Coodabeen Champions.
Pete Fidler is sideman to the stars. A virtuoso on lap steel, dobro, mandolin, and guitar too.
In heavy demand to play bluegrass, or Hank Williams shows. They’ll loosen up at the Poet.

Jean-Claud Sam-Dan
2025-02-15 21:00 - 23:30
Jean–Claud Sam–Dan are back at The Poet!
Jean-Claude Sam-Dan is a duo comprising Sam Young and Dan Banks.Guitars, Banjos, Hand Drums and eclectic song choices are backed by soaring harmonies and a hilarious name.

Les Thomas
2025-02-13 20:00 - 23:30
Les Thomas is a country-folk singer-songwriter and storyteller. With guitar, voice and emotional authenticity, he connects with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Les draws on inspiring histories of song, grassroots resistance and the poetry of everyday life, listeners are left with fresh ideas and uplifted spirits.

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

Dan Webster and Emily Lawler (UK)
2025-02-09 16:00 - 2026-02-08 23:30
UK festival favourites Dan and Emily bring to the stage a unique blend of English folk music fused with country/Americana.
An energising combination of distinctive warm and powerful vocals and guitar interlaced with a dexterous meld of celtic- and country- style fiddling and beautiful harmonies mesmerises a multi-genre audience.

Boogie Brothers
2025-02-07 20:30 - 23:30

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.

The Strayaways Duo - Alex & Holly
2025-02-02 18:30 - 23:30
The Strayaways Duo Alex (fiddle) & Holly (guitar) are a Celtic folk duo based in Melbourne playing your favourite Irish jigs, reels & ballads. The music ranges from joyously fast and crazy to slow and heartrendingly melancholic, with calm and sober melodies played at a reasonable pace also.

Maggie Carty
2025-02-01 15:00 - 23:30
Maggie Carty has joined forces with Máirtín Staunton, Rhys Crimmin, Gerry McKeagueand Thomas Botting to form the Maggie Carty band. The group performs a mix of traditional Irish tunes and folk songs with three-part harmonies and jazz undertones alongside didgeridoo and percussion. On stage the group have a natural ease with each other, and their enjoyment and sense of fun is palpable and infectious!

Teresa Dixon
2025-01-29 21:00 - 23:30
Teresa Dixon is a Tasmanian based singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist

The Stragglers
2025-01-29 20:00 - 23:30
The Stragglers are a 3 piece all female, bastard-bluegrass band.
Traditional instrumentation with non-traditional themes. The Stragglers have mastered the art of shit talking to 3 chords. Not for the feint-hearted, but maybe for the broken and definitely for the hungover. .

Rory Newman plays the songs of James Taylor
2025-01-28 20:00 - 23:30
Rory Newman plays the songs of James Taylor.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering his iconic melodies, Rory’s heartfelt renditions will transport you straight to the soul-soothing sounds of JT.

Romaan
2025-01-23 20:00 - 23:30
Romaan has always been a storyteller. Sharing her stories through an indie-folk / blues pop influence originally from Meajin, Brisbane, she ventured down to Narrm, Melbourne mid-2023 to pursue a career in Music.

She seeks to interpret her own mind, mental health and process the world. Joined only with her acoustic guitar and raw vocals, Romaan curates an experience that invites those to nestle in and enjoy her uniquely intimate melodies.

Bill Barber plays the songs of Drive By Truckers
2025-01-21 20:00 - 23:30

Hey Gringo!
2025-01-18 21:00 - 23:30
Daryl Roberts & Hey Gringo have performed across Oz and internationally for over 30 years with their fun tongue in cheek, catchy blues, funky soul and roots music with choice favourites to get the audience involved in the vibe.
Hey Gringo have just released their 8th album “Keep On Moving” of original songs together with previous albums have charted up to No 2 on The Oz Blues & Roots Airplay Charts. Daryl also plays keyboard with Oz legends Spectrum, performed and written songs with renown Oz legends Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool/Modo Rock), American Blues Legend Jimmy Witherspoon and performed internationally from Amsterdam to New Orleans and Tokyo to Clarkesdale Mississippi.

The Hornets play the songs of Howlin Wolf and Willie Dixon
2025-01-14 20:00 - 23:30
Wolf and Willie aka Louis Burstin guitar, Bruce Haymes keys, Chris Tabone drums and Craig Horne vocals and guitar, play the dirty down home blues of Howlin Wolf and Willie Dixon. That’s songs like I’m Ready, The Same Thing, Hoochie Coochie Man, 300 Pounds, Little Red Rooster, Evil, Killin’ Floor and more, see you at The Drunken Poet in the New Year…too good to miss

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!

The Ceili Ozstars
2025-01-04 15:00 - 23:30
SPECIAL SHOW!
The Ceili Ozstars, a talented Irish trio comprised of brothers Danny & Bryan Murphy and local legend Liam Davis. These lads are sure to have the pub tapping along to their lively renditions of traditional Irish tunes and songs.

Niamh & Shane
2025-01-01 18:30 - 23:30

Christmas Eve!
2024-12-24 12:00 - 23:30

Peter Baylor plays the songs of Django Reinhardt
2024-12-17 20:00 - 23:30
Peter Baylor dives into the timeless songs of Django Reinhardt. Known for his masterful guitar work, Reinhardt brought the world of jazz to life with his captivating gypsy swing, and Peter Baylor is just the one to carry on that magic! Expect soulful melodies, impeccable guitar skill, and the kind of atmosphere that only The Poet can deliver.

khoy & Samara Cullen
2024-12-12 20:00 - 23:30
Two very familiar; sad and squishy; faces of the local folk punk scene are taking the double slot at the Drunken Poet Thursday 12th December. For a night of melancholic folk and sad singalongs. 8-10pm.

Samara Cullen and khoy have been pals for ages and you may have seen them around when the Stragglers, the Dead Peasants or Whiskey Dram were on the bill.

While Samara Cullen is an old stand of the Drunken Poet Stage, we are bloody delighted to introduce you to khoy, who after years of being a little band bandit, is stepping into the spotlight. You’ll love them!!

There will be haunting melodies, a couple of shared songs, feelings, sass and a healthy dose of self deprecating humour.

It’ll be delightful!!

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.
