The Drunken Poet

Bill Barber plays the songs of Tom Waits
2023-12-12 20:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)

The Windsavers
2023-12-08 20:30 - 23:30
When Aaron Gillett (harmonica), Benny Gerrard (drums, vocals) and Alex Stewart (guitar) entered the 2020 lockdown, they were mere individuals. After months of pupation in the chrysalis of isolation, they have emerged, united as The Windsavers. They’ve released a new album recently, come and hear their new tunes!

Katankin plays the songs of Dolly Parton
2023-12-05 20:00 - 23:30
Katankin sings the song of the iconic Dolly Parton!

Drunken Poet Shanty Club
2023-12-03 18:30 - 23:30

Nature In The City
2023-12-01 20:30 - 23:30
Nature in the City is a folk-rock band based around the voice, guitar and songwriting of Robin Sellin born in Germany, now living in Naarm/Melbourne.
What started out one year ago as a duo soon turned into a full band infused with some serious Melbourne vibes with violin, drums, and bass.
Nature in the City invites the listener on a sonic journey rife with improvisation and with no two sets ever the same.

The Kick Heavy
2023-11-30 20:00 - 23:30
KickHeavy are a Melbourne based band bringing you alternative rock with a splash of country and a slap of energy from the bass player. Come on down!

The Hornets play the Humour of Bob Dylan
2023-11-28 20:00 - 23:30
The Hornets Trio, author, singer-song writer and guitarist Craig Horne, ARIA Hall of Fame guitarist Jeff Burstin (Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons and Black Sorrows) , ARIA winner and keyboardist Bruce Haymes (Paul Kelly, Archie Roach, you name it) will play a set of Bob Dylan’s humorous material at a special Tuesday night at the Drunken Poet.

Playing songs like Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat, Rainy Day Women #12 & 35, Outlaw Blues, Odds and Ends, Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, This Wheel’s on Fire and more.

The Hornets, Bob Dylan, and The Poet …not to be missed.

Pop Up Gaeltacht
2023-11-26 19:00 - 23:30

Suzette Herft
2023-11-23 20:00 - 23:30
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.

Homesick Rays British 60's Blues Revue
2023-11-21 20:00 - 23:30
Homesick Rays British 60’s Blues Revue!

Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces (single launch)
2023-11-18 21:00 - 23:30
Strap yourself in for the tone and fury of mid 50’s Chicago blues with Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces final single release “Sweet Little Riff” at The Drunken Poet on 18 November. A favourite haunt of the Aces; come on down for a night of energy and vitality as The Wayward Aces send the VU meters into a frenzy and kick their final single kicking and screaming off into the universe.

Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces – High energy, huge fun and sharp tunes honed at local Melbourne venues as well as Echuca Winter Blues Festival, The Blues Train and Blues on Broadbeach.

It’s bluesharp, guitar and rhythm taking no prisoners.

Nathan Beretta Band
2023-11-17 20:30 - 23:30

Radioactive Dyke
2023-11-15 21:00 - 23:30
PUNK! GLAM! FASHION! FEELINGS!

These are all vital ingredients and elements of… Radioactive Dyke! An artist critically acclaimed by the walls of her bedroom, now joins us at the Drunken Poet.

Strap in for this hour long extravaganza from an alternative solo performer who loves over sharing personal experiences as she creates music with her trusty loop pedal.

AC Dixie – The songs of AC/DC Country Style!
2023-11-14 20:00 - 23:30
AC/DC wrote some of this country’s most iconic and memorable hard rock songs.
Mostly around one simple riff and a few easy chords, yet catchy melodies and poignant lyrics for the demographic it was targeting.
Bon Scott’s “toilet poetry”, Malcolm Young’s solid rhythms and Angus Young’s blistering lead breaks captured a nation of bogans but what if their music was “countrified”. What if we put those words into the mouth of Johnny Cash or those chords into the hands of Glenn Campbell ?
Would the songs have the same meaning but for a different audience?
Sean Simmons & Bronwyn Henderson believe YES and attempt to take those few barre chords, slap a capo on them and turn them into open chords… take Angus’ guitar and put it on a fiddle or Bon’s bagpipes and put them on an accordion… and most of all, breathe love, loss and heartbreak into what they believe are some of the most beautiful songs ever written…
As RRR’s Jon von Goes once said, “AC/DC only ever wrote one song, but what a song ! ”

Gerry Kennedy
2023-11-09 21:00 - 23:30
In certain dialects, his name translates to ‘Dog with an Ugly Head’.
And with a face like a smashed crab and an insatiable appetite to delight, GERRY KENNEDY is a hound with a sound you’ll be glad you found!
Once described as “the Godfather of backyard rock…(or at least the drunk uncle)”, GERRY KENNEDY’s acoustic, folk-rock rumpus is the scintillating soundtrack to your suburban backyard.
From wineries to rooftops, backyards to packed bars, expect a colourful cocktail of hit singles, lit jingles and a dogged determination to ensure you leave absolutely delighted.
See him barking live in The Drunken Poet on Thursday 9th November – WOOF-WOOF!

Zoe Scott
2023-11-09 20:00 - 23:30
Zoe Scott is an award-winning vocalist, Fresh to Melbourne from Waiheke Island, New Zealand. From her set, you can expect brutally honest songwriting and emotional vulnerability that’ll leave you in a puddle of tears or bubbling with anger.

Olivia Meg
2023-11-08 20:00 - 23:30
Through her profound sincerity, Olivia Meg‘s melodies resonate deeply with her audience, creating an immersive and emotional experience. With a soulful and genuine approach to her art, she creates an enduring connection that sets her apart in the ever-evolving music landscape. Prepare to be moved by the raw and honest artistry of Olivia Meg, where emotions are brought to life through the power of music.

Pete Campbell
2023-11-02 20:30 - 23:30
Campbell’s blend of acoustic and electric folk styles – from Appalachia and London, to the streets of Sydney – combined with blues, country and Americana, show that his influences are wide-ranging, from iconic artists such as Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Allman Brothers, to contemporary Antipodean songwriters such as Paul Kelly, Neil Finn and Bernard Fanning.
The results of Pete’s musical discussions between the past and the present prove comprehensively that Parley is a conversation worth having.

Mike Vee & Marty Kelly play the songs of John Farnham
2023-10-24 20:00 - 23:30
Mike Vee and Marty Kelly play the songs of John Farnham!

Liam Whelan plays the songs of Taylor Swift
2023-10-17 20:00 - 23:30
Liam Whelan plays the songs of Taylor Swift
You know what Liam Whelan spent sixteen hours behind a screen trying to get his hands on?
Eras tour tickets.
Guess what Liam Whelan doesn’t have?
If you, like me and a few million other Australians, missed out on Taylor Swift tickets, and find yourself unable to shake it off, the Drunken Poet, on October 17, is the pub for you.
For one night only, see sparks fly as Liam channels his deep affection for a songbook we all know all too well.
Enjoy a carefully curated evening of anthems, deep cuts, and songs from the vault, spanning Taylor Swift’s stellar ten-album discography.

The Dizzies
2023-10-14 21:00 - 23:00
Neo Rockabilly Trio The Dizzies from Melbourne Australia. Playing a mix of rockabilly classics from the 1950’s roots of rock n roll n blues thru to 1980’s Neo rockabilly styles with a mix their own originals. The trio’s minimal stylistic approach adds their own blend to rock n rolls and of course paying respects to our rock history past. Influences too mention a few stem from the Stray Cats , Eddie Cochran , Buddy Holly , Gene vincent ,Billy idiol , the Rolling stones and many more….
Fronted by Dizzy Davidson on lead vocals and guitar who has played and toured with the likes of Glen Matlock (sex pistols) Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats) Earl Slick (Bowie/Lennon) The living End , Rev Horton Heat along with his own bands the Strays , RockADees and now Wolf Katz. Joined by Corey Zammit on drums and Bryan Brown on Double Bass this power packed trio is sure too get your feet howling n strutting.
The Dizzies are go and we’re ready too rock this town.

Jarrod Shaw
2023-10-12 20:00 - 23:30
Jarrod Shaw possesses a passion and appreciation for blues music that becomes obvious from the moment the first note sounds. He delivers a soulful blues inspired show, performed with conviction.
Jarrod was born and raised in country Victoria, down the dirt roads of the Macedon Ranges. He taught himself to play guitar listening to the renowned blues greats, as well as the icons of the Australian and local Melbourne blues scene.
Performing countless solo gigs has aided Jarrod in developing a musical style of his own. He blends his unique guitar approach lying somewhere between piedmont fingerstyle and the blues of the delta, with a powerful voice often described as belying his years. At times he even wails away on a racked blues harp – all at once without missing a beat. If you close your eyes you might even believe there’s more than one person performing…

Callum Wylie plays the sings of Guy Clark
2023-10-10 20:00 - 23:30
Callum Wylie plays the sings of Guy Clark
Songwriter, singer, and musician Guy Clark has been called the “king of the Texas troubadours.” When he moved to Nashville with his wife Susanna in 1971, he became the center of a scene that would ultimately include Rodney Crowell Emmylou Harris, Roseanne Cash and Townes Van Zandt – like-minded songwriters who gathered in his home to share food, drink, and new songs.
Clark’s distinct, nonconformist style – like those of the artists who surrounded him – would stretch the boundaries of country music in the 1970s and influence a generation of songwriters.
“Guy Clark’s music has always been a comfort and a great source of inspiration to me. I’m still heartbroken I never saw him live. Come and drink Guinness while I play Dublin Blues and try my best to honour the great mans legacy” – Callum Wylie

Slim Gritty Band
2023-10-07 21:00 - 23:30
Slim Gritty perform an upbeat, uplifting mix of original compositions influenced by the timeless energy of the roots Americana genre, in particular Rockabilly, Hillbilly, Roots Country and RnB. Slim Gritty use these foundational styles to build unique compositions and craft lyrical stories with a present-day relevance, sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, always gritty.
The Slim Gritty line-up is a pared back trio with Slappin’ Dan Rondeau – Double Bass, Giovani Di Stefano – Drums and Slim Guitar/Vocals. All members in variable acts have worked widely both nationally and internationally.

Bunch of Bluesers
2023-10-06 20:30 - 23:30
Bunch of Bluesers are excited to return to The Drunken Poet on Friday night. Prepare yourself for The Nasty Stuff with a pint of some of the best brews on tap this close to the CBD, some super cool grooves and the kind of shenanigans that’ll keep you laughing, dancing and rocking out. Bring your thirst, wear some comfortable shoes and get the night started right!

Peny Bohan Band
2023-10-04 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.

Michael Burrows and Craig Kelly with Bek Chapman play the songs of Mermaid Avenue
2023-09-26 20:00 - 23:30
Michael Burrows and Craig Kelly with Bek Chapman play the songs of Mermaid Avenue (Wilco / Billy Bragg)
It was an idea that never should have worked: British folk-rocker Billy Bragg collaborating with alt-country upstarts Wilco to put music to the unreleased lyrics of Woody Guthrie. It wouldn’t have surprised anyone if it had diminished the reputation of all involved.
Instead, the 1998 release of Mermaid Avenue was a revelation, proof that Guthrie was far more than the populist, fascist-bashing folkie that he was often perceived to be – he was also capable of startlingly personal songwriting that was far ahead of its time.

The Drunken Poet Birthday Celebrations!
2023-09-24 14:00 - 23:30
2 – 3PM

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 launching her solo career, with her debut EP coming out in 2023
3.15pm

The Treblettes are a sassy vocal trio performing iconic songs of Motown!
4.35pm
Sean O’Callaghan talks incessantly and the odd time, some of it sounds poetic.
The right amount of righteousness.
Without being pompous.
Not over confident.
Brashly unsure.

Unsure with gusto.
5pm
Van Walker

Tasmanian native, Victoria-dwelling singer-songwriter Van Walker released six albums under his own name between 2008 and 2010; Ghosting is the first since then, although he’s been involved in various bands and projects in between. Music is, it seems, inherently part of him.
6.15pm
Slatsapalooza
7.10pm
Sean O’Callaghan
7.30pm
Slatsapalooza

Paper Jane Duo
2023-09-23 21:00 - 23:30
Paper Jane, original Central Victorian Americana/Electric Folk band feature country heartache with tight grooves and uplift harmonies. Paper Jane’s eclectic range of original music reflects their journey and speak with candour about life beyond first loves and happy endings.
Paper Jane has temporarily downsized to a duo of Buck Edwards and Dom Redfern. Bucky is out front on guitar and lead vocals with Dom on acoustic fretless bass (hear thar mwah!) and backing vocals. Paper Jane leaves the sounds exposed for the listener, joyous and evocative.”

Oscar LaDell plays the sings of Muddy Waters
2023-09-19 20:00 - 23:30
Oscar LaDell plays the sings of Muddy Waters.
Muddy Waters was a dynamic American blues guitarist and singer who played a major role in creating the post-World War II electric blues.
