Private Function: Support Act Review

One of the world’s most formidable punk-rock bands has returned to Australia after over a decade. Green Day landed like a bomb upon Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, with a concert experience that was so worth the wait! And shout-out to the band for bringing local punk band Private Function along with them for the ride as they travel up the east-coast, hopefully hitting Gold Coast midweek despite the threatening cyclone. Although it might be a fair while before Green Day are back in town, Private Function is here to stay, so let’s dig into what they’re all about.

This is what happened during Private Function’s set at Marvel Stadium on March 1st, 2025.

PRIVATE FUNCTION

Private Function took to the stage, opening with Justavinageez as members Milla, Aiden Anthony, Lauren and James made a killer impression with an epic rock sound. Stumbling onto stage was one half of Private Function’s vocal and bass crew, Chris, who took quick control of the stage. Unfazed by their first stadium show, Chris made use of every corner of the musical playground he was on.

The band has a powerful punk rock catalogue, with an aggressively Australian flavour. This 80s-esque bogan punk genre has had a slow resurgence with the rising popularity of bands like The Chats (who seem almost mellow in comparison to Private Function) and Amyl and the Sniffers. Although this was my first time seeing or hearing Private Function, it’s pretty obvious that in a smaller venue and as a headline act this band would have an unrelenting grip on their crowd. Things might get rough in the pit, but it’s all in good fun and one of the rawest forms of expression. Passion Pop and Talking To Myself are early highlights from the set list.

Halfway through the set, Chris swaps out his microphone for Milla’s bass, adorned with the Palestine flag. This band may have a retro rock sound, but they’re modern activists. Milla is intimidating, stomping around and whipping a chain on stage. Her scream vocalisations are impressive, even if not to everyone’s taste, in I Just Met The Biggest Cunt in the World and Fill Me With Your Trash. The singers’ antics are impressive, constantly swinging mics, throwing guitars, and flinging themselves at each other to catch.

Chris and Milla are exuberant characters, over-the-top and in your face. Aiden, Anthony, Lauren and James are able to relax in their elements, clearly having fun with their music. It’s a sweet dynamic to see on stage, giving a very familial impression which creates a quick connection with the audience. The band is tongue-in-cheek. Songs like Albury-Wodonga, Bum Cigs and Cum Big, and Shit demonstrate this best. While this is classic head-banging punk to mosh to, it’s also at times a comedy sketch that the audience gets to be an active participant in.   

With the Green Day tour wrapping up soon, if you have tickets (and a cyclone doesn’t stop you!) make sure to get there early enough for Private Function as the night’s opening act. Follow the band on Facebook and Instagram as well to stay tuned to when their next festival sets or headline shows come up. If you want a fun night with music to bang your head to and a crowd to mosh with, Private Function could be the band for you! Their antics are also pretty fun to keep up with!

Fave song: Talking To Myself