The Drunken Poet

Otis Namrell Trio
2024-01-27 21:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Otis Namrell is excited to be heading back to the amazing Drunken Poet in Melbourne with his trio band! Otis Namrell is a 21-year-old virtuoso blues/southern rock guitarist and singer/songwriter based in Melbourne, Australia. Originally a Northern Rivers native, Namrell spent his teenage years fine tuning his incredibly unique approach to blues guitar by incorporating elements of jazz, swamp rock, country and psychedelic rock into his playing style.
Head down to the Drunken Poet on Saturday 27th January 2024 to witness this amazing local blues/rock band!

Morgan and the 770's
2024-01-28 16:00 - 23:30
Morgan and the 770’s arrive at The Poet for your Sunday afternoon tunes, kicking off at 4pm!

Melbourne-based guitarist and singer Morgan Klose delves deep into the blues, with a heavy dose of funk and groove in the mix.
Morgan has appeared as a sideman for some of the country’s finest blues headliners, and frequently appears around town with various outfits.
On this exciting occasion he will be appearing at the Drunken Poet fronting his own newly-formulated 3- piece band: “The 770’s”.
Be sure to get down and check this one because things will be on the up-and-up for this crew!

Brent Hayhurst
2024-01-28 18:30 - 23:30
Brent Hayhurst – live at The Poet!

R.R Grenville and the Mooncats play the songs of Moon Mullican
2024-01-30 20:00 - 23:30
R.R Grenville and the Mooncats play the songs of Moon Mullican!
Moon Mullican – nicknamed “King of the Hillbilly Piano Players”, was an American Country & Western singer, songwriter, and pianist. He was associated with the hillbilly boogie style which influenced rockabilly. Jerry Lee Lewis cited him as a major influence on his own singing and piano playing.

Emma Heeney, Jac Tonks and Brooke Russell
2024-01-31 20:00 - 23:30
Emma Heeney, Jac Tonks and Brooke Russell are three of Melbourne’s finest singer-songwriters, coming together to perform as a trio for Wine, Whiskey, Women at The Poet!

Blues Roulette’s
2024-02-02 20:30 - 23:30
Blues Roulette are coming to The Poet!

Gerry's Well Oiled Machine
2024-02-04 16:00 - 23:30
Welcome to the Well Oiled Machine! Be prepared to be inspired!
Since uniting their efforts in 2020, the members of the group have recorded 18 songs bound for their album.
The band is disability led, with a mix of neurodiversity and physical challenges. Every instrumentalist in this band is an APRA award-winning songwriter (in addition to the hundreds of other awards they have garnered between them). They have a commitment to spreading disability awareness through Gerry’s own unique story and aim to reach out to others struggling with their own disabilities and mental health.
This project is right up there with their most important and satisfying work as they have been so inspired by collaborating with Gerry.

Gerry Smith is a Melbourne singer-songwriter whose indomitable spirit and positive energy is an inspiration to all who meet him.
Gerry has merged his screen writing and poetry skills with his love of jazz singing. His debut album comes later in life for Gerry, due to accessibility issues earlier on in his career. Creating his enriching and life- affirming album, which draws on his experience of growing up in the 60’s and 70’s and his experience of living as a man with cerebral palsy, is a wonderful insight into a unique life, well-lived.​

Bringing his vision together with his APRA award-winning collaborators, Gerry has more than 20 songs to choose from to make his debut album.
Busking his own original songs on the street, Gerry has truly taken music to the people and the response has been awesome! There is great anticipation for the release of his album, slated for later in 2023.

The Poet pays Tribute to Shane McGowan
2024-02-06 20:00 - 23:30

Miss Lou's Blues
2024-02-07 20:00 - 23:30
Louise and Bruce have come together to create Miss Lou’s Blues, and are making an impact on the Melbourne Blues scene.
Having recently performed gigs including the feature act at Stingo’s Blues Club and The Blues Train, as well as appearing on Barry Maxwell’s ‘Blues On The Hill’ radio program and The Juke Joint on PBS, Miss Lou’s Blues are bringing their charismatic and flamboyant Blues stylings to The Poet.
Miss Lou’s sassy and bawdy juke joint style vocals are complimented by Bruce’s rhythmic guitar, creating a repertoire of songs extending beyond the Blues to incorporate elements of Jazz, Country and a litty bitty Gospel.

Sunset Stranger
2024-02-08 20:00 - 23:30
Sunset Stranger is the alt-country project of songwriter and guitarist Stephen E. Stanisic, who has released a range of albums including 2020’s ‘Your Home Town’ and the instrumental guitar EP ‘Balmer St. Blues.’

His most recent album ‘Double Dream’ featured music described as ‘kaleidoscopic folk, country and blues…akin to The Grateful Dead/The Band filtered through psychedelia and power pop.’

Sunset Stranger has previously performed tributes to Townes Van Zandt and Richard Thompson at the Drunken Poet, and will perform a range of his originals and favourite songs on Thursday 8th February.

Khristain Mizzi + band play the songs of Neil Young
2024-02-13 20:00 - 23:30
Join The Poet for a band night with Khristain Mizzi, playing the songs of Neil Young.
Winner of the 2021 Australian Folk Alliance awards – ‘SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR’ , Kris Mizzi has captured the hearts of audiences around the country with his moving songs and imaginative stories.
He writes well crafted tales which draw on hopeful and heart-warming wisdoms found in the people and places we experience.
With a ‘strong and gentle’ voice, and an art for weaving beauty and truth into the words of each song, Mizzi reaches the hearts of his audiences with performances that are joyful, uplifting, confronting, spiritual, comedic and vulnerable all at once.
He has been described by other musicians as having ‘one of Australia’s finest voices’ leaving listeners feeling as though they have experienced something truly special. Poetic lyrics, meandering melodies and ‘a voice which truly moves people’, along with a unique picking style, Mizzi really is a complete artist and is becoming renowned for his intimate solo performances and thoughtful songs. throughout Australia.

Boogie Brothers
2024-02-17 21:00 - 23:30
The Boogie Brother have played in and around Melbourne with virtually the same line up since the early 90’s.
The line up includes graduates from the Homesick Ray Band, John, Mike, Ken and drummer Neville and features guest appearances from the number of well known Melbourne celebrities.
Notable the band includes popular British blues from the 60’s such as Eric Clapton, The Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, Free, Eric Burden etc…
Join us for a great Saturday night of live music at The Poet!

Paddy Murphy
2024-02-18 18:30 - 23:30

Bob Hutchison plays the songs of Damien Rice
2024-02-20 20:00 - 23:30
Bob Hutchison plays the songs of Damien Rice, accompanied by Craig Kelly on double bass and mandolin, with Joyce Prescher singing as Lisa Hannigan.
Damien Rice’s seminal album “o” captured the hearts of millions throughout the 2000s with the hits Cannonball, Volcano and The Blower’s Daughter finding worldwide success. His follow up albums “9” and “My Faded Fantasy” cemented his reputation for intimate storytelling and sweeping melodies, while co-singer Lisa Hannigan matched his every strength.
Bob Hutchison’s singular tenor voice, dynamic finger-style guitar and lively bluegrass inspired rhythms blend seamlessly into Rice’s catalogue. This show will include live arrangements of songs from all three albums.

Brittle Sun
2024-02-21 20:00 - 23:30
Brittle Sun are a bluesy, psychedelic garage folk band from Melbourne. With soulful vocals that are as fragile as they are powerful, they weave lyrical narrative with stripped back grooves and evocative melodies. In 2017 the released their EP ‘Elemental Skin’ which was followed up by ‘Space Dogs and Orphans’ in 2018. They released ‘Little Blue Heart’ in 2020. In 2022 they released the single ’This Lovesick Heart’.

JC and the Tree
2024-02-22 20:00 - 23:30
JC and the Tree create brilliant soundscapes that elevate you into timeless visions of all things connected to nature and the world beyond. Inspired by their hometown of Sunshine Coast, this indie-folk duo writes melodies about all things from the mountains to the sea and life between.

The heartfelt violin playing from JC soars as the warm rich tones of the Tree set a benchmark that transcends the ordinary music lover’s ear. Their voices blend beautifully in harmony as they play their range of original indie/folk tunes. Pushing boundaries they take their audiences on a journey through genres including gypsy/spanish violin pieces, folk/metal rock songs, funky wah-wah violin grooves and soulful piano ballads.

Music is a language beyond words and JC and the Tree are inspired to use it as a tool to bring all walks of life together.

Motivated by their love of nature they offer native seeds with each CD or vinyl along with plastic free packaging. The duo have gone to great lengths to offer ethical and sustainable merchandise.

Bear Brewer
2024-02-23 20:30 - 23:30
“Built in the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Alberta), Bear Brewer is a man trapped inside a metaphorical beast of the Human Condition. His songs hit hard. Bear’s music is the honesty that we don’t want but we all need to hear.
Bear brings his live show to the Drunken Poet to finish off an Australian tour to remember. His live show is always equipped with your favourite classics and better still, heart pumping, foot stompin’, sing-a-long Originals, every track is a bullseye. It is heartfelt, blunt force trauma for the earholes.
…It is NO JOKE HEARTLAND FOLK.
“You’re in or you’re in the way”

Cillian Maher
2024-02-25 18:30 - 23:30
Cillian is a musician hailing from the Isle of Ireland, we welcome him back to The Poet – a favourite here!
Raised on trad and folklore he was inspired to keep the culture alive.
With his warm vocal tones and emotive guitar playing you’ll be in for treat to hear Cillian performing traditional tunes and ballads at The Poet!

Georgia Ray Band
2024-02-28 20:00 - 23:30
Georgia Ray is a singer-songwriter based in Melbourne’s inner north. Influenced by the likes of Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne and Tegan and Sara, she has been playing and writing music ever since she can remember.
After playing keys and bass guitar in her first band as a teenager, her passion for music soared and she began exploring her own sound. Since then, Georgia’s songs have become a unique concoction of pop, alternative and country genres, exposing her raw stories of love, loss and hope. She has been diving right back into the live music scene over the last few months and is excited to be sharing her music through her intimate acoustic performances.
Georgia has recently been recognised as ‘One to Watch’ with the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and she is currently in the studio recording her next EP due out in mid 2023.

Paul Quinn - A Bad Penguin!
2024-03-02 15:00 - 23:30
Paul Quinn – A Bad Penguin!
Let’s all huddle together as Paul Quinn entertains us with an afternoon of Irish songs.

The Tommy's
2024-03-02 21:00 - 23:30
Since forming in 1996 surf slackabilly trio The Tommys have been entertaining audiences with their own blend of groove-based surf rock.
The Tommys are:
Jonathan ‘Ike‘ Lickliter – Bass and Vocals – After performing in Brisbane post punk trio The End, Jonathan played in the first line up of Died Pretty.
Ollie Laurie – Guitar and Vocals – A member of seminal Melbourne surf band the Beach Nuts, Oliver has also played in the Exotics.
Rob ‘Viva’ Lastdrager – Drums and Vocals – Rob has toured the USA and Europe with The Stiff Kittens as well as playing with Melbourne country rockers the T-Bones.
The Tommys look forward to introducing their warm surf sounds to the Drunken Poet.

Burning Bridges
2024-03-03 16:00 - 23:30
The Burning Bridges are a family band that play Old School Country and includes bluegrass and old time, as well as an expanding catalogue of original songs. Performing since 2012, The Burning Bridges appear regularly at national festivals and at venues of distinction across Melbourne and statewide, and have released two albums to date with another on the way.
The band features Peter Somerville on banjo, dobro, guitar, and fiddle, partner Fran Martin on guitar, and son Tom Somerville on mandolin, guitar and fiddle. Justin Vilchez on mandolin and guitar, and Maxine Sutcliffe on double bass.

Rob Black
2024-03-03 18:30 - 23:30
Come welcome Irish troubadour, Rob Black to The Drunken Poet. Known for his renditions of classics like ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ and ‘Wild Rover,’ Rob also brings a touch of the unexpected with niche Irish pub songs such as ‘King of the Road’ and ‘The Limerick Bricklayer.’
Expect an evening steeped in Irish culture, where pints of Guinness flow, and the captivating tunes of Rob will have you singing along. Sláinte!

Ezra Lee plays the songs of Merrill Moore
2024-03-05 20:00 - 23:30
Ezra Lee plays the songs of Merrill Moore!
Merrill Everett Moore was an American swing and boogie woogie pianst and bandleader whose style influenced rockabilly music during the 1950s.

LJ Parks
2024-03-06 20:00 - 23:30
With a powerful voice, dynamic guitar riffs and playfully wry lyrics, LJ Parks has captured the attention of audiences from Hobart to Cairns and beyond. Hailing from Victoria’s surf coast and based in southern Tasmania, she received the Cygnet Folk Festival Emerging Artist Award in 2024 with her duo, LJ and Lucy, and was a finalist for Youth Artist of the Year in the 2023 AFMAs.
LJ is looking forward to popping back into the Poet to share captivating, relatable tunes from her new EP (and some classics) on her way to perform at this year’s Port Fairy Folk Festival as a featured Future Folk Artist.

Scott Mickelson
2024-03-10 16:00 - 23:30
MICKELSON (US) launch of New Zealand and Australian Tour with special guests
San Francisco artist/producer MICKELSON is excited to be playing the wonderful Drunken Poet in West Melbourne as part of his first tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Scott Mickelson is an artist/producer from San Francisco. His debut release Flickering was on the Grammy ballot for Best Folk Album and Best Roots Music Performance. His follow up full-length A Wondrous Life received great reviews in the US and abroad which led to his first European tour in 2019. He then produced the critically acclaimed Blanket The Homeless benefit compilation which included Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito. In 2020, Mickelson released Drowning In An Inflatable Pool to rave reviews in the U.S. and Europe. The first single, “Jagged Tooth” was accompanied by the fantastic animated video. In 2022, his single/video “UNarmed American” premiered on Americana U.K. and he was invited to play three nights at The Mavericks Festival in England.

Wolf Arrow Rain (support from Richard Ross)
2024-03-14 20:00 - 23:30
At 9pm, Wolf Arrow Rain will be having a break from her usual band to play a rare solo show of unreleased original country folk tunes in order to give the world a glimpse of a secret 2nd band project in the works titled Savage River. Prepare for an extra special treat that may not be repeated again in the near future.

Wolf will be supported by Richard Ross that will kick off the show at 8pm.

Richard Ross is a Melbourne based singer/ songwriter appearing at the Drunken Poet after a musical hiatus of many years with his blend of Gypsy/Jazz, Folk and Americana.
His vocals will make you swoon and his guitar will make you cry. Get your best threads on to match his vibe.

PADDYS DAY AT THE POET
2024-03-17 12:00 - 23:30

Rubita plays the songs of Rodriguez
2024-03-19 20:00 - 23:30
Rubita plays the songs of Rodriguez!
Sixto Rodriguez lived in obscurity as his music career flamed out early in the U.S. only to find success in South Africa and a stardom he was unaware of. This incredible story was the subject of the music documentary ‘Searching for Sugarman’.
‘Experience the electrifying melodies of Rubita, Melbourne’s very own guitar virtuoso and enchanting vocalist, as she ignites the stage with the soul-stirring tunes of her beloved artist, Sixto Rodriguez, this March 19th at the iconic Drunken Poet!
Get ready for an evening filled with unforgettable music that will have you swaying and singing along to the mesmerizing sounds of Rodriguez’s timeless classics!’

Unnecessary Journeys
2024-03-24 18:30 - 23:30
Hailing from West Cork, Ireland, old friends Sean and Emer have reunited in Melbourne to form their charismatic cover band, ‘Unnecessary Journeys‘
Their acoustic folk sound features a blend of energetic rhythms and enchanting harmonies with the occasional nod to their Irish roots.
