New year, new you? Unlikely. Hot Milk Machine, Turge, and Jiminy’s Crickets are ripping up your resolutions at The Old Bar to kick off 2026!

Formed out of a Catholic all girls high school in 2022, Hot Milk Machine is a foaming four piece punk-rock and modern-grunge group hailing from Naarm/Melbourne

Observe the TURGE, Poo grass band birthed from the tiny womb of a Northcote garage, witness them wed their melodic tunes with blaring, distorted guitars.

And Jiminy's Crickets bring the goods with their blend of indie riffage, garage grit, sharp lyrics and classic australiana

Keep silly season going, party on Wayne.

Single launch incoming so keen to play @theoldbar with these legendary bands @hannahandtheheartstrings @cupisaband the single that we are dropping is a cover of spit in my face by @thxsomch but are versions takes a more heavy rocky doomy Approach so keen share it with y’all . We also have a Ep we are going to drop later that month that is a collaboration between @flynnos__ and his amazing metal drumming and Hellphxs sound but taken in a way synthyer direction so keen for yall to hear it .2026 is gunna go hard .Massive shoutout to @cairneydesigns for doing all are art work she’s is proper talented if you want any art work done hit her up

From the oft-forgotten lands of Lutruwita/Tasmania, Verticoli returns to Melbourne, blessing the Old Bar stage for the very first time!

Verticoli are celebrating the release of their third album 'Silverlinings'. Join the congregation for a late-night mass of raucous riffs and grooves, with support from The RSA's and IVY BLACK. 

Tix $15+bf pre-sale or $20 on the door.

Naarm/Melbourne four-piece COMEDY emerge with their debut single, ‘L.A. Perfume’, set for release 5 December. The track marks the band’s first official outing and will appear as one half of a double A-side 7-inch, due early 2026.

COMEDY are launching "L.A. Perfume" with a special performance at The Old Bar, FRI 16 January, with supports TECHNO 666 and Grace Mitchell.

Naarm based experimental 6 piece, Izjkala, host a night of live music that has been curated for folks who love organic, spiritual and dynamic sounds. 

Supporting these themes will be notch cut, another naarm based collective, who make rhythmic bass driven music centred around landscape, uncertainty and shifting ground.

Opening the night, will be dothebed. Six-piece alt folk rock band. Their music is slow, rhythmic, and a bit rough around the edges — folk at the core, with a darker, heavier feel.

Headlining is Izjkala. In fusing six members of unique musical backgrounds, ranging from classical, blues to jazz; the band envelop their audiences in ancient groove and intrinsic melody creating ominous and mystical soundscapes. 

Escape a world of structure and expectations; come as you are… bring your best pair of dancing shoes and loose yourself on a sonic journey of mystery and rhythm.

ACID ARROW - Then it Rains single launch w/Team Love and Jess Parker (solo)

First single from Naarm sorcerers of twang, Brooke Penrose and Brett Marshall. Hailing from bands like Mightiest of Guns, Cash Savage and
the Last Drinks, Saint Jude and Little John, these pale clad guitar slingers are launching their offering "Then It Rains", a cry of shame
over the horrors permitted in the name of hypocrisy and extremism.


Along for the ride are alt-country/folk outfit Team Love and the earth-wandering, guitar-slingin' whiskey drinker from Campbells Creek, Jess Parker.

Post-punk troublemakers GUN LAWS return to The Old Bar with some old friends and some new friends for a wonderful evening of sound, fury, soul and reasonably priced beverages. Described on public bathroom walls as 'Your Least Favourite Band's Least Favourite Band', they have promised in writing to bring a blistering mix of classics from their first two records and piping hot fresh hits of tomorrow and beyond, as they work on their third album and stock their nuke bunkers.

From the sunset suburbs of Adelaide’s west, LITTLE DAGGER blend brooding melancholy with fire-fuelled foot-stomping and a sharp emotional edge. Long-time friends with decades of experience between them, they deliver a sound that’s raw, reflective, and full of heart. Influenced by the likes of Neko Case, Lucinda Williams, and Charley Crockett, they bring together diverse musical backgrounds to craft honest, soulful songs rooted in folk, blues and country.

One third of psychedelic country trio 'The Energy' and prominent vocalist in Melbourne's alt-country scene, KATIE MAY joins the line-up with her band THE MYSTICS. Starting the night off right and throwing you into a deep end of rich and warm tonalities, confessional lyrics and captivating melodies. Join us for a swim. FRI JAN 24th at 8PM!