Nestled on Gilbert Road just steps from the Merri Creek, The Merri Bar has become the cornerstone of Preston's cultural renaissance.
This beloved northside venue continues its mission of nurturing Melbourne’s grassroots music scene through November, with a carefully curated program that spans from soulful singer-songwriters to indie-gypsy blues.
The venue maintains its cherished weekly traditions with Tuesday trivia nights kicking off at 7.30pm, creating that perfect midweek community gathering point. Open mic nights take center stage on Thursday November 13th and 27th, offering emerging artists the chance to test their material in one of Melbourne’s most supportive rooms. Musicians can sign up through the venue’s website to secure their spot.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Troy Wilson
- 1 November
Troy Wilson kicks off November with his arsenal of resonator guitars and a stomp box, channeling the spirits of Muddy Waters and Blind Boy Fuller through Melbourne’s northern suburbs. This acoustic roots specialist has been haunting local stages for years, often joined by harmonica wizard Matthew White for maximum juke joint authenticity. Wilson’s fingerpicking style and train-whistle harmonica impersonations transport punters straight to a 1930s Mississippi crossroads – kazoos and washboards optional.
Cousin Maya
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- 2 November
Armed with banjo and guitar, Cousin Maya blends folk traditions from Ireland to Appalachia with just enough blues to keep things interesting. Taking cues from everyone from Aoife O’Donovan to Ola Belle Reed, Maya’s been proving for the past five years that literally any song works on the banjo if you’ve got faith and fast fingers. Her Sunday afternoon slot promises the perfect hangover cure – gentle enough not to hurt, lively enough to get you considering that hair of the dog.
Rosario De Marco
- 8 November
Melbourne’s master of Mediterranean moods, Rosario De Marco brings his guitar wizardry to Saturday night. This composer-guitarist captures Southern European passion through jazz, classical and flamenco-tinged originals that have earned him support slots with Buena Vista Social Club’s Omara Portuondo and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His solo performances transform The Merri Bar into a moonlit Italian piazza – minus the €8 espressos.
The Dusty Dimes
- 9 November
This Melbourne blues duo has been raising hell since 2017 with their swampy, foot-stomping sound that pulls from Hill Country Blues legends like R.L. Burnside and early Black Keys energy. The electric guitar and harmonica combo creates the kind of groovy, dirty, care-free rocky blues that makes Sunday sessions dangerous. Expect maximum stomp, minimal inhibitions.
Tim Richards
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- 15 November
Northern Victoria’s Tim Richards brings eight years of road-tested chops to Preston, armed with a setlist that bounces between Irish trad, alternative rock, country and pop rock like a musical pinball machine. This singer-songwriter has been working the Australian circuit long enough to know exactly what gets a Saturday night crowd moving – versatility is his middle name, crowd-pleasing his game.
StraightouttaPreston
- 16 November
Local legends in the making, StraightouttaPreston bring soulful elegance to their Sunday slot. Formed in 2023 as a vehicle for chanteuse Bec Hirst’s captivating vocals, this Preston trio delivers laid-back melodic grooves with a country noir vibe that’s perfect for a Sunday afternoon wind-down.
Backed by Peter Maddock on ukulele and Jon Young on bass, StraightouttaPreston creates an elegant sonic backdrop that transforms any lounge bar into something special. Their sound blends soul, country and noir influences into something uniquely their own – neighbourhood pride wrapped in sophisticated musicianship. Expect mellowed-out grooves, Hirst’s commanding voice leading the way, and the kind of refined afternoon atmosphere that makes you want to settle in with a drink and stay awhile. This is Preston’s answer to sophisticated Sunday sessions.
Southern Duck
- 22 November
Formed in 2024, Southern Duck features Roger Evans on guitar, Adam Fforde on fretless bass and Sala Kord on drums. Together they navigate a compelling mix of reimagined covers and original compositions that stretch across jazz idioms and beyond. The trio’s approach is best summed up as eclectic, creative and smooth – a sound that moves fluidly between tradition and experimentation. Evans’ guitar work, combined with Fforde’s distinctive fretless bass tones and Kord’s dynamic drumming, creates a musical conversation that’s both accessible and adventurous.
Szara Fox
- 23 November
Dutch transplant Szara Fox closes out the penultimate weekend with her intoxicating blend of indie-gypsy blues that draws from flamenco and Balkan traditions. This trained actress brings theatrical flair to tales of wanderlust and romance, often joined by jazz trumpeter Andrew Darling who adds fire and storm to her already sultry sound. After 14 years honing her craft across Australia, New Zealand and Europe, Fox knows exactly how to transform a Sunday arvo into something special.
Hugh McGinlay
- 29 November
Singer-songwriter and crime novelist Hugh McGinlay brings his poetic sensibilities to Saturday night, fresh off tours with the likes of Robyn Hitchcock and Billy Bragg. Brother of comedian Danny McGinlay, Hugh’s carved his own path with varied musical styles and the backing of The Recessive Genes. His observational songwriting captures Melbourne life with the same detail he brings to his Brunswick-based crime novels – expect stories within stories.
The Hook Turns
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- 30 November
November’s grand finale belongs to The Hook Turns, a band literally born from The Merri Bar’s own open mic nights. These local regulars have graduated from individual performers to a proper outfit, embodying everything the venue stands for – community, creativity, and the magic that happens when Preston musicians stop drinking long enough to form a band. It’s a full-circle moment that proves The Merri Bar isn’t just hosting the scene, it’s creating it.
For more information, visit The Merri Bar’s website.
This article was made in partnership with The Merri Bar.
