Merri Bar reveals an October program that features crucial fundraiser events alongside the venue's signature acoustic performances.
Tuesday trivia maintains its weekly presence from 7.30pm, while Wednesday whisky specials continue offering 20 per cent discounts across the entire range.
Open mic nights have expanded to a more frequent schedule, running on Thursdays October 2nd, 16th and 30th at 7pm. Musicians interested in participating can register through the venue’s website.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Dub Falestin
View this post on Instagram
• 4 October
Local DJs Lego, Jack Attack and James Co-Dean unite for a meaningful cause with this special punk-reggae party / fundraiser event running from 6-10pm. While maintaining free entry, the organisers will provide multiple donation opportunities for those wishing to contribute. Proceeds support children impacted by war through Olive Kids, an Australian foundation dedicated to Palestinian children, alongside contributions to Black Peoples Union, supporting Indigenous communities.
Whisky and Wine
View this post on Instagram
- 5 October
Whisky and Wine is a Melbourne-based duo that provides elegance and sweet sounds. The female duo’s beautiful voices create harmonies so smooth they go down – as their name suggests –like whisky.
Faces in the Street
• 11 October
Melbourne indie folk duo Faces in the Street bring their substantial back catalogue of original songs, featuring the Keynes Brothers’ haunting soundscape of acoustic and electric instrumentation with distinctive vocal harmonies. Named after Henry Lawson’s famous poem about urban poverty and social observation, the band crafts musical stories that reflect similar themes through a contemporary lens. Their approach hybridises traditional folk melodies with modern instrumentation, creating what they describe as music that curves rather than corners.
Rory Newman
• 12 October
This Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter draws from folk, blues and jazz influences, combining intricate fingerstyle guitar with a rich baritone voice. Fresh from releasing his second EP “Mirror Flame” in November 2024, Newman’s music weaves together elements of folk, country, blues and jazz to create a timeless, kaleidoscopic listening experience. His thoughtful, poetic songwriting style draws broadly from the folk singer-songwriter tradition of the 1960s and 70s, traversing themes of longing, memory, love and mortality.
Morgan Powell
View this post on Instagram
• 18 October
UK-born singer-songwriter Morgan Powell brings fresh energy to Melbourne’s acoustic scene, having recently relocated to Australia to pursue his musical ambitions. After building momentum in the UK circuit with his covers of Sam Fender, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and classic singalongs, Powell made the bold decision to move to the opposite side of the world in late 2024. Now writing original material including tracks like The Slope, he’s quickly establishing himself in Melbourne’s live music community, recently joining local band The Bootleggers while developing his solo career.
The Delvenes
• 19 October
The Delvenes serve up Melbourne-flavoured surf twang with a tasty band-next-door jangle, creating sweet songs that are scuffed in all the right places. For those who appreciate strummy guitar-driven pop and Go-Betweens-style male and female vocals, The Delvenes deliver exactly that combination. Their sound captures a distinctly Melbourne sensibility – unpretentious yet sophisticated, familiar yet distinctive.
Brendon Siemsen Trio
• 25 October
Recently relocated to Melbourne, guitarist Brendon Siemsen brings over 30 years of professional experience, having studied at prestigious institutions including Berklee College of Music and Musicians Institute. The trio, featuring bassist Michael Gillingwater and drummer Jeremy Li, delivers a vibrant blend of originals, jazz standards, funk, Latin, and pop tunes. Siemsen’s career highlights include sold-out shows at Paris Cat Jazz Club and performances at MONA FOMA, bringing serious jazz credentials to Merri Bar’s intimate setting.
Ricki Wood
• 26 October
This Melbourne-born rock musician brings a distinctive fusion of rock and pop elements, with career spanning over 30 years and more than 3,500 shows worldwide. Originally from Maffra, Victoria, Wood now writes mostly acoustic-based songs with a classic Australian country/singer-songwriter vibe, drawing comparisons to Paul Kelly and Colin Hay. His extensive repertoire of over 600 songs and ability to read the room makes him a perfect fit for Merri Bar’s community atmosphere.
For more information, visit The Merri Bar’s website.
