This month, Merri's got the heat, offering free live music on Saturday nights and Sunday arvos.
Who’s ready for another month of music at Merri Bar? We know we are!
Located in Preston, this local favourite always comes through, dishing out a delicious array of genres and performers, from first-timers to proper pros. Any artist who’s got the juice is welcome on the stage, so you’re never sure what you might come across.
But if you want a sneak peek, we’ve got you covered. Get your calendars ready, because here’s what’s going down this month.
Check out our gig guide, our stage guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
Open Mic Night
- Thursday, May 1
Kicking off the month strong, it’s open mic night, shining a spotlight on the talents of the everyday folk who walk among us. Do you have a song to get off your chest? Have you been workshopping some new tracks that need an urgent audience? Or maybe you’d rather listen than participate, sipping on a pint and soaking in the magic. Either way, you’ll enjoy yourself.
Oscar Ladell
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- Saturday, May 3, 7pm
Armed with his guitar, the 23-year-old singer-songwriter will provide the entertainment for Saturday night. The American-born, New Zealand-raised and Melbourne-based artist is a regular at the venue, often found spinning his soulful, blues-influenced tracks to eager listeners. Expect to hear new songs from his latest album No Blue, released last year.
Magdalia
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- Sunday, May 4, 4pm
Catch this award-winning singer-songwriter in Merri Bar’s intimate band room. A true powerhouse of a singer, she’s known for her unique voice, her avant-garde leaning style and her introspective lyrics. Fun fact: she’s also a huge F1 fan.
Lana Eileen
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- Saturday, May 10, 7pm
Also known as the artist Ghost Parable, Lana Eileen is an impressive multi-disciplinary artist. Creativity seeps out of her every pore, coming in the form of contemporary paintings, photography and music. Her feathery-soft voice and finger-plucked guitar come together in a heart-wrenching folk-noir melange. Expect an atmospheric evening.
Billy Cart Crash
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- Sunday, May 11, 4pm
A little jangly, a little rough ‘n’ tumble and a little old school and helluva good time, meet Billy Cart Crash. These guys are guaranteed to deliver a high-octane set, so wear your dancing shoes and your most swingy dress, because it’s likely that the chairs will get pushed to the side of the room and you’ll be compelled to have a boogie.
Lady Fern
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- Saturday, May 17, 7pm
Lady Fern is not, in fact, a lady… or a fern. It’s actually a soft guitar rock project fronted by Melbourne musician Ewen Stuart. Inspired by the likes of Mac Demarco, Andy Shauf and Alex G, Stuart’s songs are riffy and hooky, featuring layers of guitar. Gentle but with a little bite, the breezy tracks are hard not to love.
Mark Sinton
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- Sunday, May 18, 4pm
Mark Sinton is back and ready to bring us the bangers. Previously performing in bands including The Gasolineros, Carbine and The Mansions, the Northern Irish musician has returned to the stage with decades of experience behind him. Expect a night of storytelling and time-tested hits.
Kier Stevens
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- Saturday, May 24, 7pm
The extremely prolific Melbourne artist is ready to deliver his experimental stylings to the Merri Bar. Renowned for his work in groups including Doggerel, Come Heavy Sleep, Thicken and Suzie So Blue, Kier Stevens can’t get enough of the stage, spanning genres from dark folk to blues rock.
The Band I Stole
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- Sunday, May 15, 4pm
- With StraightouttaPreston
Emerging amidst the COVID lockdowns, this Melbourne four-piece is a supergroup made up of members of other projects (hence the name, perhaps). Inspired by American frontier times, the western-tinged group is poised to hoot and holler their way to Merri Bar, bringing a drum kit, guitar, ukulele, bass and maybe a few more treats along with them.
Chloe Vitale
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- Saturday, May 31, 7pm
Lo-fi indie pop: that’s the pursuit of Chloe Vitale. Her work has a kind of Tash Sultana funkiness to it – think the seaside in the spring, buttery smooth vocals and cruisy, low-BPM beats for you to sway along to. A creative writer as well as a musician, her lyrics offer an intimate picture of relationships, filled with love and longing.
Hugh McGinlay
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- Sunday, June 1, 4pm
