This north-side local favourite has always got you covered.
Tucked away on Gilbert Road, the Merri Bar has quickly become a favourite for Preston locals. Whether you’re after live music, a cheeky happy hour, or a cosy hang out spot, Merri Bar delivers.
Music lovers can soak up rock, indie, and acoustic gigs on weekends, while open mic nights (the first Thursday of every month) and Trivia Tuesday keep this alive mid-week. With a packed March line-up, there’s no better way to soak up the last of the warm evenings before we say goodbye to summer.
On weekends, Merri Bar becomes a haven for live music. The following is the line-up of acts that will be taking the stage at Merri Bar this March.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Stika Bloom
- Saturday 1st at 7 pm
Originating from NSW, Melbourne/Naarm based artist Stika Bloom will warm the stage at Merri Bar next month. Drawing inspiration from the guitar work of legends like Tony Tice and Bryan Sutton, his sound blends tradition with a fresh perspective, exploring folk and bluegrass, mixed with a little bit of self-discovery.
Tim Richards
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- Sunday 2nd at 4 pm
Hailing from Northern Victoria, Tim Richards is coming to Preston, bringing to you a night of sentimental artistry. With over 10 years of experience performing live with his guitar, be prepared for an emotional evening of ballads.
Ingrid Saker
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- Saturday 8th at 7pm
Ingrid Saker (Ingrid and the Ministers) are a blues-rock band from Wellington, NZ, known for their swampy punk-blues sound. Their latest EP, Last Train Blues, follows the album Boofhead and singles like Earthquake. Now based in Melbourne, they continue to deliver a raw, grungy energy to the stage and will be bringing their energy to Merri Bar.
Brendon Siemsen
- Sunday 9th at 4pm
With over 30 years of experience as a music teacher and professional musician, Brendon Siemsen is a polished guitarist who excels in jazz, rock, ambient and fusion. The seasoned musician has undergone advanced training at prestigious contemporary music institutions and will be gracing the Merri Bar stage this March.
Nick Howells (The Distant South)
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- Saturday 15th at 7pm
Led by singer, songwriter and storyteller Nick Howells, The Distant South lean heavily on experiences from Nick’s unconventional upbringing. The five-piece band, inspired by alt-country, folk, Americana and bluegrass, write stories from heartbreak to ecstasy – and everything in between.
Troy Wilson
- Sunday 16th at 4pm
Troy Wilson is a Naarm/Melbourne based singer-songwriter who’s all about acoustic roots and blues, rocking his resonator guitar. Troy will be strumming his mellow tunes and bringing some energy to The Merri Bar next month for some chill Sunday afternoon vibes.
Adam Hattaway
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- Saturday 22nd at 7pm
Adam Hattaway And The Haunters are an alternative rock ‘n’ roll band. Since their first album back in 2018, the quartet have steadily grown and developed their sound. Their sound is real, and so are their lyrics, touching on nostalgia and fond teenage memories.
James Fahy
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- Sunday 23rd at 4pm
James Fahy is a Melbourne-based musician, interviewer, and all-around creative force who refuses to be just one thing. With a hypnotic post-folk sound, intricate fingerpicking, and soulful vocals, his music is as captivating as his podcast Wait Long By The River, where he unpacks the minds of Naarm/Melbourne’s artists. Always evolving and creating, come see him live at Merri Bar this March.
Crumbe
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- Saturday 29th at 5.30pm
Crumbe will be back at the Merri Bar for a Saturday afternoon gig. Whether they’re tearing up a stage or keeping crowds on their toes, they never disappoint. Their raw, electric sound is best experienced live—so don’t miss them at Merri Bar this March.
Jenny Taylor
- Sunday 30th at 4pm
Come join multi-skilled musician, singer, songwriter and choir-master Jenny Taylor at The Merri Bar this March for some chill Sunday afternoon vibes. Jenny Taylor has a 30-year career as a teacher, performer, writer and community artist, her songs performed by choirs and played on Melbourne community radio.
To find out more about Merri Bar, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Merri Bar
