The Drunken Poet

Melbourne Ceili Band Fleadh
2023-06-18 18:30 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
The Fleadh Cheoil is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance. A CÉILÍ (pronounced Kay-lee) band is a group of 10 musicians providing music for CÉILÍ (Irish) social dancing and/or set dancing.
So come along and let’s give these guys a massive send off, the first ever Australian CÉILÍ Band to compete at the Fleadh, as well as being the furthest any CÉILÍ band will have ever travelled to compete! The Guinness will be flowing and we encourage dancing. Hup two three four!

Glenn Skulthorpe
2023-06-16 20:30 - 23:30
With 7 highly regarded albums and music featured in movies and documentaries such as The Emu Runner and John Pilger’s Utopia, Nhunggabarra, Kooma, Muruwari man and international touring singer-songwriter Glenn Skuthorpe is a powerful lyricist and composer who gives voice to those whose stories must be heard.
Glenn has performed on stages with some living legends in his long career including Buffy Sainte-Marie, Steve Earle, Tex Perkins, Kev Carmody, Archie Roach, Rory McLeod, Michelle Shocked, Buddy Miller and Mary Gauthier, prepare for an infusion of genres with vibes of urban street blues to open plains and wide-open skies.
Following a string of highly successful tours including winner of the Best Music Award for the Adelaide Fringe 2021 & 2023, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Saltwater Freshwater Festival, Byron Bay Blues Fest, Woodford, The Gulf Country Frontier Days Festival, Cygnet, Calgary and Edmonton Folk Festivals, Germany, Canada & the UK, prepare for an infusion of genres with vibes of urban street blues to open plains and wide-open skies.

ARLi
2023-06-14 21:00 - 23:30
Known for her sincerity in songwriting and captivating performance styles, ARLi always ensures there is something for everyone to sing along to. Fresh off the plane from NZ, join ARLi for her first ever Australian show – a night of upbeat modern and classic hits, with several of her new and soon to be released original music.

Bill Barber plays the songs of Jason Isbell
2023-06-13 20:00 - 23:30
Bill Barber earned the title of Melbourne Blues Performer of the year in 2017 and is bringing his love of Jason Isbell to The Poet for this all Americana tribute show.
Jason Isbell is a 4 x Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is known for his solo career, his work with the band The 400 Unit, and as a member of Drive-By Truckers for six years, from 2001 to 2007.

Camryn Jordans
2023-06-07 21:00 - 23:30

Moonee Valley Drifters play the songs of Buck Owens
2023-06-06 20:00 - 23:30

Rosie Luby and Kier Stevens
2023-06-04 18:30 - 23:30
Rosie Luby and Kier Stevens play The Poet on Sunday night!

Miguel Rios & Ash Jones
2023-06-04 16:00 - 23:30
Story telling songs Fingerstyle blues and folk guitar and shredding fiddle, something for all tastes. Miguel Rios returns to the Drunken Poet June 4th, accompanied on fiddle by Ash Jones. Miguel has spent the last 20 years playing around Melbourne as well as writing and recording music. He is set to release his second album Running Blue in June 2023. Playing songs from the new album and also songs from his previous release, Slaughterhouse Road

Miguel Rios is a story-telling guitarist; always giving space in his songs to powerful lyrics that speak of closed doors, magic men, replica pistols, and the cold spaces that no fire can warm. Slaughterhouse Road, his first full-length solo album, has a pared-down grittiness, rich hypnotic timbre and heartbreakingly beautiful interludes of violin and mandolin by collaborators Ash Jones and Matt Stonehouse.
The Album was recorded straight to tape in a small tin music studio during the Capricorn eclipse full moon. “We said we wanted that full moon madness and we certainly got all of that,” says Miguel. “It rained… stormed actually. The dog howled outside, but we kept playing and we got it all”.
Rios’ earnest musings never assume the ‘high road’ but arrive as credible and unpretentious in delivery as Kev Carmody or Jonny Cash. The analogue recording capture the sound of a compellingly intamate and authentic performance. What you hear is what you’ll hear live – up close and personal. – Chris Lambie, Rhythms Magazine 2021 Born in an alternative community in Far Northern Queensland Miguel had a free and lawless childhood, he picked up the guitar at 11 years old, and penned his first song at 16 and has been hooked ever since. His influences include guitar greats, John Fahey, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Skip James, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, and the writing styles of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen

LJ Parks
2023-05-31 20:00 - 23:30
Originally from Queenscliff and Geelong, LJ Parks is an imaginative guitarist and singer-songwriter based in Hobart, Tasmania. Her music is playfully wry and sentimental, with vivid imagery and clever dramatizations of the mundane. Throw in a powerful voice and dynamic fingerstyle guitar and you have yourself some fresh, relatable tunes with old-time charm. Winner of the youth performance competition at this year’s Cygnet Folk Festival and an AIR Women in Music Mentee, LJ will be performing fan favourites from her debut EP Straits and premiering exciting new works from upcoming projects.

Brian Horne plays the songs of Johnny Cash
2023-05-30 20:00 - 23:30

Beautiful Buildings
2023-05-25 20:00 - 2024-05-24 23:30
Beautiful Buildings play harmony-driven alternative folk with soulful sensibility. Their songs invite you into a bittersweet reverie with originality and lyrical imagery.

Jay Howie plays the songs of Led Zeppelin
2023-05-23 20:00 - 23:30

Gareth Leach
2023-05-19 20:30 - 23:30
Gareth Leach and the Narratives of Hope is the 3rd full-length album from hard-hitting Australian outlaw country singer/songwriter Gareth Leach. Known for introspective lyrics and powerful vocal performances, this self-produced and engineered new album continues to break down stylistic boundaries in his most eclectic and energetic release yet.
But don’t let that fool you. GL&TNOH features four hit singles, including the collaboration hit “Big Ole Feelings” with Bluegrass legends, Davidson Brothers. In his own words “(this record is) heartfelt ballads followed by tunes that sound like being belted over the head with a southern rock sledgehammer!”.
Come check out this exclusive “Album Preview Show” at the Drunken Poet!

Suzette Heft plays the songs of Joan Baez
2023-05-16 20:00 - 23:30
Suzette Heft plays the songs of Joan Baez!

Rachel Parkinson
2023-05-10 20:00 - 23:30
Rachel Parkinson is a Melbourne singer-songwriter making a return to the stage with her originals at The Drunken Poet.

Otis Namrell Trio
2023-05-06 21:00 - 23:30
Otis Namrell is a young blues powerhouse playing with purpose, feeling and conviction.
Otis fell in love with the blues as a young child listening to the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King and Eric Clapton on drives with his father. Once he was gifted his first electric guitar there was no looking back.
Joining him is Drummer Sonny Severin and Bass player Jack Blandford. This trio isn’t afraid to play it loud and play it proud.
Join Otis Namrell at the Drunken Poet for a night of real, authentic blues.

Badcock Brothers
2023-05-05 20:30 - 23:30
Badcock Brothers have an extremely fun show, often bordering on comedy with a musical range that covers folk/rock originals as well as traditional tunes across many different instruments including guitar, banjo-mandolin, viola, piano, accordion and bass guitar as well as occasional use of loops.

Mitchell Dean plays the songs of the Rolling Stones
2023-05-02 20:00 - 23:30

Stephen Hoy
2023-04-30 16:00 - 23:30
Stephen Hoy is an Australian singer and songwriting legend, with a career that includes writing and recording collaborations with Joe Camilleri, Dingoes Chris Stockley and Kerryn Tolhurst, Ross Hannaford, Lisa Miller, Don Walker, Ross Wilson, and many others, as well as tours with The Black Sorrows, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, John Farnham, Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam and Warren Zevon. The Drunken Poet is a favorite venue for Hoy

Jules Boult
2023-04-29 21:00 - 23:30
Jules Boult is an award winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and international recording artist.
A universally admired blues and jazz entertainer – his music remains true to the blues tradition – and his effortless demeanour, humour and performance style has been closely linked with that of the genre’s legendary predecessors.

Adrian Whyte
2023-04-28 20:30 - 23:30
Adrian Whyte has recorded several albums including his debut jazz release “Old Jazz, New School”. His youtube channel has dozens of solo arrangements and tutorials amassing over 1.5 million views to date. We’re excited to have Adrian back at The Poet!

Dandelion Wine
2023-04-27 20:00 - 23:30
Dandelion Wine are popping into the Drunken Poet for a lute-filled all acoustic gig while they are
gearing up for the release of their new album Hereafter and getting ready to head off on their tenth European tour. Leaving the electronics at home, this gig will feature the band’s trademark tapestry of medieval/Renaissance instruments, Persian frame drums and Naomi’s ethereal vocals in an intimate acoustic setting at your favourite pub, only this one will be all about the lute: seventeen strings of old world beauty to bask in!

Chloë V
2023-04-26 20:00 - 23:30
Take a standout voice, add some melancholy, and a whole lot of feeling and you get singer-songwriter, Chloë V. The Melbourne based artist exudes charm with songs that evoke a captivating combination of heartache and hopefulness. Chloë can take you on journeys you never even knew you needed to take. Her raw and powerful vocals and lyrics transfix audiences. The intention she puts into every word, and every strum of her guitar, will leave an impression on you that you won’t soon forget.

Jenna Campbell
2023-04-19 21:00 - 23:30
Jenna Campbell is a guitarist and live-looping artist from the Dandenong Ranges who creates an engaging and unique full-band sound.

An exciting emerging artist with attention-grabbing guitar skills, Jenna‘s music will transport you to other times and places as she fuses world music elements with progressive rock.

She tells stories without words, composing acoustic guitar-driven layered instrumental music that builds with a depth of emotion and a sense of adventure.

Candice Alisha
2023-04-19 21:00 - 23:30
8PM
Candice is a Poet favorite, she sings brilliant folk/blues tunes that will help drown your sorrows and bring on brighter days!

Roo Davies & Cal Walker play the songs of John Prine
2023-04-18 20:00 - 23:30
Roo Davies is a singer/songwriter from lutruwita (Tasmania) living in naarm (Melbourne). Having played various instruments in numerous groups and styles, Roo truly delights in the penmanship of Americana folkies like Blaze Foley, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and, not least of all, John Prine.

This month marks three years since Prine’s passing and Roo is bringing his tribute show to the Poet providing an in-depth perspective of a career spanning five decades.

Do not miss this unique opportunity to revisit the fabulous hits and deep cuts alike of the late great John Prine.

Kelly Auty & Boris Conley
2023-04-16 16:00 - 23:30
Multi Award winner, Kelly Auty is renowned for powerhouse performances and her show-girl versatility. She is a favourite artist on the Australian music scene.
A favourite of audiences is Kelly’s ‘Wild Women’ shows, with pianist, Boris Conley.
Kelly’s impressive biography includes appearances at many Australian Festivals, and she has supported Janis Ian, Jose Feliciano, Manhattan Transfer, The Drifters, The Platters, Eric Burdon, Mary Coughlan, John Hammond and the Divinyls to name a few.
Kelly has a sparkling, infectious enjoyment of the music. She has produced ten independent albums of originals and covers. When Kelly sings the blues, it has been said,” makes a heartache seem worthwhile.” Something old, something new, something borrowed, something Blue….and something just for you.
“Kelly sings from the heart.” Jose Feliciano

Sunset Stranger plays the songs of Richard Thompson
2023-04-11 20:00 - 23:30

CLOSED FOR GOOD FRIDAY
2023-04-07 12:00 - 23:30

Alison Ferrier Trio
2023-04-02 16:00 - 23:30
Alison Ferrier delivers an evocative, emotive, crafted collection of atmospheric folk, laid-back country and hypnotic blues. Her lyrically rich, slow-build numbers showcase her talent for melody, and her vocals are effortlessly refined with conviction and vulnerability in equal measure. Joining her at the Drunken Poet is the supremely talented Jeff Lang on guitar, and on swamp-soaked drums and percussion, the mighty Anthony ‘Shorty’ Shortte.
