Craig Kelly & Joyce Prescher play the songs of Mark Lanegan
2026-07-21 20:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Mark Lanegan was one of the great underrated singer-songwriters of the modern era, with a deep, smoky baritone drawing comparisons to Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave. Rising to prominence with Seattle grunge band The Screaming Trees (I Nearly Lost You), he went on to collaborate with close friend Kurt Cobain, appeared as a featured voice across three Queens of the Stone Age albums, and became the brooding foil to Belle & Sebastian’s Isobel Campbell across three dark-folk records echoing Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra — alongside countless other collaborations and 11 solo albums.
Performed by Craig Kelly with Joyce Prescher.

Elly McK & The Unbelievers
2026-07-22 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.

Beth and Ted
2026-07-23 09:00 - 23:30
Introducing the dynamic duo, Bethany Graf and Ted Coutts, now based in Melbourne, Australia. Formerly of the rock band Atomica, Beth and Ted bring a unique blend of powerful vocals, rich harmonies, and engaging musicianship to every performance.
Drawing inspiration from artists such as Paramore, Oasis, Royel Otis, The Cranberries and Fleetwood Mac, their live shows feature a diverse mix of crowd-favourite classics, modern hits, and heartfelt ballads, alongside original music that showcases their distinctive sound.
Whether performing intimate acoustic sets or energetic sing-along favourites, Beth and Ted create a warm and memorable atmosphere that connects with audiences of all ages. They are thrilled to be performing at The Drunken Poet and look forward to sharing an unforgettable evening of live music with you.

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-07-24 18:00 - 23:30
Every Friday night, welcoming you into the weekend with the warmth of real Irish music!

Doggerel
2026-07-24 20:30 - 23:30
Doggerel burst from the kennel and onto the stage to flog their special brand of bung blues, roughhouse rock, and sundry sad tunes about drinking, dishonour, and death. Based around the steel guitar and drums of founding members Kier Stevens and John Kostaras, Doggerel always keep a tight focus on looseness, ratbaggery, and having a rollicking good time.
Throw in some bass, saxophone, and a shot or two, and things are really starting to look up for you. Every show is a cheerfully irreverent affront to blues tradition that will leave your ears in even better condition.

Pat McKernan
2026-07-25 15:00 - 23:30
Pat has toured extensively as guitarist for Irish folk legend Finbar Furey and has had his song “Geraldine’s thinking of Galway” recorded by the Furey brothers. Come and be merry!

Atomic Hi-tones
2026-07-25 21:00 - 23:30
Melbourne based Rockabilly band the ATOMIC HI-TONES packs every show with energy, great music and high octane entertainment.
20 years of Atomic gigging has been action packed for the guys with regular and constant appearances all round Australia and New Zealand in the Hot Rod, Festival and Rockabilly scenes, plus support for international acts such as Reverend Horton Heat & Lee Rocker from the Stray Cats.
Come along and check them out, they promise you a great night.

Roz Girvan
2026-07-26 16:00 - 23:30
A country-soul songwriter with a talent for finding the extraordinary in the everyday, Roz Girvan has been part of Melbourne’s roots music community for many years.

Maeve Phelan
2026-07-26 18:30 - 23:30
Maeve Phelan is a proud Irish woman who loves singing traditional Irish ballads and folk songs. Since moving to Melbourne in November, she has enjoyed sharing songs from home with local audiences while accompanying herself on guitar.

Victor Stranges plays the songs of Stiff Little Fingers
2026-07-28 20:00 - 23:30
Victor Stranges returns to the songs that shaped him with Get Stiffed – a rare, one-night-only dive into the catalogue of Stiff Little Fingers, the Irish punk band whose songs defined a generation. As a teenage drummer in Melbourne’s underground ’80s band Drunk ’n’ Disorderly, Stranges cut his teeth on this material across the pub circuit. Now, 37 years on, he brings them back reinterpreted solo, with weight and perspective. Expect material from the band’s early run through their first split in 1983, spanning Inflammable Material (1979), Nobody’s Heroes (1980), Go For It (1981) and Now Then… (1982). Tuesday 28 July, 8:00pm at The Drunken Poet.

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.

Open Mic Night!
2026-07-30 17:00 - 23:30
Register from 5pm, performances from 7pm!

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-07-31 18:00 - 23:30
Every Friday night, to start your weekend right!
With live music 6 nights a week at The Poet, our Traditional Irish Music sessions are a part of our weekly line up.

The Blow Out
2026-07-31 20:30 - 23:30
Authentic and original blues & roots from the bohemia of the South.
Salty Trevarthen (Vox & Harmonica, Guitar) leads the band with Morgan Klose (Guitar), Peter Beulke (Bass) and Peter Hodges (Drums) – some of the finest players in the blues/roots genre. Acid blues guitar, jazz influenced drumming, rock solid bass. Butterfield inspired electric harp – Great blues, style and attitude to burn.

The Get Down Gang
2026-08-01 21:00 - 23:30
The Get Down Gang are back, and they’re bringing the good vibes to The Drunken Poet!
Serving up a spicy stew of funk, soul, and reggae, these groove merchants can turn any frown upside down. After time spent on other projects, the original crew have reunited with fresh energy, new tunes, and a passion for playing that’s impossible to resist.
Come on down, sink a pint, and let your troubles fade out of sight.

Dave Steel
2026-08-02 16:00 - 23:30
The legendary Dave Steel (ex WPA, Archie Roach Band, etc etc) returns to the Drunken Poet after a long absence….on Sunday August 2nd come along and hear Dave play some old tunes, a few from his latest release ‘Wooden Music’ and a couple of new ones, mixed up with a little blues and slide guitar….stories and songs from a lifetime at the coalface!
See you around 4pm for a couple of poetic sets!

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.

Open Mic Night!
2026-08-06 17:00 - 23:30
Chop, chop.. sign up from 5pm at the bar! Performances kick off at 7pm.
Legends are made at The Drunken Poet Open Mic Night!

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-08-07 18:00 - 23:30
Every Friday Night at The Poet!

Ash King
2026-08-07 20:30 - 23:30
Ash King is a blues & roots singer-songwriter from Healesville in Victoria.
With his deep powerful voice and funky guitar work, he balances soulful feel and raw energy. Think John Butler meets Johnny Cash at a BBQ and you’re not far off. As a solo acoustic artist and frontman of blues-rock band Smoke Stack Rhino, Ash has taken his high-energy live show around Australia, often having too much fun dancing across the stage with his guitar that he forgets to sing the next verse.
Over the past year Ash has been recording his debut album. His songs have been described as uplifting, honest, thoughtful and fun. ‘I like the saying that “you don’t write the song, the song writes you”’. Ash is an original storyteller, an electrifying performer, and a fresh voice in Australian blues & roots.

Billy Cart Crash
2026-08-08 21:00 - 23:30
Billy Cart Crash are a spirited three-piece band from Melbourne’s northern suburbs, now coming to the big smoke at The Drunken Poet!
They blend rockabilly, jump blues, swing, and swamp into a sound that’s uniquely their own.
With a hard-hitting slap double bass and high-octane guitar solos, their original music invites listeners to dance, unwind, or rock out. Their songs pay homage to traditional rockabilly themes of “fast cars, girls n bars”, using these concepts as playful metaphors for the modern world.
At The Drunken Poet in June, Billy Cart Crash will mix rockabilly roots and greaser flair with a contemporary feel and sound for a two set show!

Nick Charles
2026-08-09 16:00 - 23:00
Nick Charles is known internationally as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues”. His 35+ year career has seen him accumulate every conceivable accolade including Port Fairy Artist of the Year and The AGE Blues album of the year.
He’s toured with artists including John Hammond, Guy Clarke, Ralph McTell, Robyn Ford and BB King touring the US 13 times in recent years and releasing over 20 albums worldwide.
This is dazzling fingerpicking roots magic and a lifetime’s stories and songs from the world’s musical highways. In the words of Bruce Elder from the Sydney Morning Herald “he plays guitar like an angel!”

Brittle Sun & Peter O'Shea play the songs of Velvet Underground
2026-08-11 20:00 - 23:30
Brittle Sun & Peter O’Shea play the songs of Velvet Underground
