It’s not often I say things as outlandish as the title above suggests, but I’m here to reassure you it is 100% correct: Playlunch just played the best and most fun live set of the year. Hot on the heels of the release of the second album, Sex Ed, Playlunch returned to Sydney’s Manning Bar and delivered 100 minutes of some of the most infectiously fun vibes the crowd has seen in a long time.
Acting as main support was Juno, the Brisbane act delivering a mix of pop-punk, RnB and jazz. Fronted by Kahlia Ferguson, they played a tidy 40 minute set featuring a healthy portion of their 2025 EP Pity Party as well as a surprise cover of Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag”. With a broken microphone interrupting the set over the closing few songs, it did slow things down a little but didn’t make the Juno live experience any less great. If you’ve got tickets to the remaining shows of the Playlunch tour, make sure to get down early and give Juno a listen.
Entering the stag a little after 10pm, I had a feeling Playlunch’s proceeding set was going to be fun – if not completely absurd. With a broad range of ages spread throughout the crowd, the band’s fans really leant into Playlunch’s schtick, with a strong showing of band branded bucket hats and more dress ups than you could poke a stick at.
Opening with “Station Rat”, the seven-strong band members bundled onto stage with their best speed dealers on and enough buttoned up polo shirts that would make DMA’s and Sydney Trains’ Western Line heave in pride. Obviously satire and a complete piss-take, this is the type of effort Playlunch puts into their live shows that has made them one of the best live bands doing the rounds currently. Seriously, if you’re a festival booker, you’d be stupid to not have them on your lineup.
Quickly jumping into “Get Around It”, the set was off to the best start possible, with the crowd already begging for more. The vibes were high, the drinks flowing and the venue’s temperature was being annihilated by the scorching music being delivered on stage. Staying with Sex Ed, “Cool Math Games” and “Pash” got a run, before the tender and reflective “Best Night of Your FKN Life” was a pleasant heartfelt moment that showed a more sincere side to the band. While the song is genuinely funny, it’s an honest take on young Australian house party culture and hits a lot harder than you’d anticipate.
The middles stages of the set featured everyone’s favourite ABC influenced track “Soupe Opera”, “Sex Ed” and “Le Snak”, before story time took place just before “Real Estate Apps”. With cheers and jeers for real estate agents, landlords and landlords’ mates, “Real Estate Apps” was a mid-set highlight.
With multiple outfit changes throughout the set only adding to the story and tone of the night, the closing half of the night was just as great as the front end, with “Boys”, “Blue Light Disco” and “Boyfriend” all featuring, while “Harold” proved to be a crowd favourite, with a scene-better-days Healthy Harold making an appearance. Again leaning into Australian school and early 2000’s culture, “Hornbag” was a nice addition before the night really hits its peak over the closing two songs.
With a final outfit change, the band busted into 2025’s song of the year, “Keith”. It’s honestly absurd and a track that needs to feature more heavily on Australian radio and playlists, but the delivery and execution of “Keith” was one of the best things I’ve seen on stage in a long time. Closing the main set with “No Hat No Play”, you knew the band would return for a short encore, but if they finished the set there and then, you’d be a terrible person if you complained about it.
Coming back out for a cover of their recent Like A Version “It’s Raining Men”, Playlunch closed out with “Foxtel Girl” before thanking the crowd once more and disappearing into the night. For a band who lean into humour heavily in their music, you honestly can’t fault their musicianship and live show. With each band member nailing their spots and adding a different level of spice when offered the chance to shine, Playlunch has hit onto something that seems pretty magical in 2025.
At a time where society is disintegrating in front our eyes, there needs to be more bands like Playlunch filling venues regularly. With their national tour progressing over the coming weeks, if you’ve managed to snag a ticket to any of the remaining shows, you’ll be in for a real treat. Playlunch play to win and entertain; their live show is exactly that: a winner and entertaining.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
All remaining dates for the Playlunch’s Sex Ed album tour have now sold out – see Destroy All Lines for more info HERE.
Header image: ISKA Photography, supplied by PR
