LIVE REVIEW: PLAYLUNCH + JUNO + ARCHES @ THE TRIFFID 12/09/25

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi

The Triffid hosted the Victorian funk overlords PlayLunch and their support bands, local Brisbane bands Arches and JUNO. It was a sold-out and packed-out gig. Brisbane had come out to party and everyone’s hats were on in line with the ‘No Hat No Play’ policy to get into the ‘Tanbark’ and dance the night away with a giraffe and dressed-up ‘Keiths’.

The Arches (Sam, Mason and Noah) kicked off the fun filled evening with a great set of songs. They confessed to not having played for a year but it didn’t show as Mason (guitarist and vocalist) let his great rock voice echo off the venue walls. The sonic soundscape delivered by Arches is melodic indie-pop that mixes in R&B and hip hop-tinged vibes.

The band’s pop sensibilities were demonstrated in the songs ‘Banshee’, ‘Hitch A Ride’ ‘South’, and a lovely Triple J cover they did of ‘Daisy’. Arches delivery of “their favourite song” ‘Fold The Edges’ was really good. Sam stated: “we have a synth but we are lazy” as Mason responded with: “Yeah. The laptop does the playing for free”. Then, they played ‘Thinking Of You’. They closed out their set with their newly released song ‘Lay My Head’ and it was its first live outing. I would like to see Arches play live again.

After a short break, the unwell band JUNO, took to the Triffid stage. Brisbane-based duo JUNO have really been making their mark in the Australian and European live circuit with their irresistible blend of funk and alternative-pop. JUNO as a complete band comprises of Kahlia (vocals), Sam (bass), Ash (synths and saxophone), Cody (drums) and Blade (guitar).

JUNO kicked off their set with ‘Pity Party’, ‘Me Before You’ and ‘Hot and Talking’ from their new EP ‘Pity Party’. The band stopped to chat and explained about illness they were suffering – all probably picked up at Big Sound. However, you couldn’t tell. Their performance has become so much more polished since touring in the UK and Europe and those older fans could see their development when they played older fan favourite songs ‘Come Thru’ and ‘I’m The Man’.

JUNO spoke about being named after the Roman Goddess, as the band rapidly returned to delivering a funky dancey warm up set of songs. The band did a fantastic cover and sing along of ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ by Wheatus. The Triffid crowd responded with a full-throated sing along. Sam and Ash did Noelle’s part really well.

Sam controlled the bass lines as Blade handled the guitar melody lines which have just improved so much and if you do not believe me listen to newer songs like ‘Fuel Light’, ‘Trust Issues’ and the set highlight and outstanding song 'Would It Kill You?' Cody controlled the rhythm as Ash’s sax playing was melodic and as sexy as ever. The band were dynamic and exciting to watch as they delivered ‘Bleach’.

JUNO closed out their set with ‘Think Twice’. It was a tonne of fun! JUNO as a band have kept the best of their fun times vibe and have paired it now with a sophisticated stage presence and big catchy and hooky songs needed for the touring scene.

There was a chant of Gregorian monks over the speaker system. Then, the school bell sounded. At the chant for ‘PlayLunch’ the band came onto the stage and started their set with ‘Halo Theme’. Melbourne’s self-professed “bogan funk” outfit Playlunch played the largest show of they accelerating career last night in Brisbane. There was a huge crowd at The Triffid dressed in ‘No Hat No Play’ hats, zinc cream and other 1990s fashion faux pas. But they knew every word of PlayLunch’s songs – and the crowd really engaged with them as they sang along to every word.

The love in the room for PlayLunch was enormous as the band launched into ‘Get Around It’. The crowd hung onto every moment and absorbed. The smooth funk, soul and disco melodies with the Australian outer Melbourne point of view lyrics took a bawdy turn as ‘Pash’ was delivered. PlayLunch are a bunch of very classy musicians who really know their stuff – they are confident, skilled and so much fun! They promised the crowd the ‘Best Night Of Your Fuckin Life’ as they threw pool noodles into the crowd and sang about the ‘ABC’ and followed it with ‘Sex Ed’ from their newly released album.

So, ‘Who's Ready For A Good Time?’ Everyone! As PlayLunch delivered an infectious catalogue of genre-blending songs from the too funny ‘Blue Light Disco’, ‘Le Snak’, the fantastic crowd sing along of ‘Real Estate Apps’ that encouraged the crowd to sing ‘Give Me a Home Among the Gumtrees’ and was a politically subversive moment as they had got down to the real issues that matter to the young of Australia. Then, songs like ‘Foxtel Girl’ and the strange and compelling ‘Tanbark’ were delivered before a party giraffe ‘Harold’ bounced around the venue and got the place jumping before he ended up on stage with the band. PlayLunch followed it with performing the pure 1970s disco of the ‘Boys’.

PlayLunch’s set was hitting a cracking pace. Their harmonies were magic and matched the instrumentation. The band were introduced as characters from ‘Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy’. Liam Bell (front man was Hairy), Michael D'Emilio (synth and Schnitzel von Krumm), Tom Kindermann (guitar and Hercules Morse), Dylan Knur (bass and Bitzer Malony), Jerry Li (trumpet and Zachary Quack), Andre Lew (saxophone and Scarface Claw) and Austin Richardson (drums and Muffin McClay). 

Playlunch closed their set out with the foxy lady appreciation in the fun and lewd song ‘Hornbag’ before there was a costume change into black tradie wear for the fabulous ‘Keith’. The sing along was now a ‘shout out loud along’ as the Triffid was going off. The band said good night and left the stage for (I hope drinks of water and a short rest as it was so hot in The Triffid).

Playlunch delivered an encore of euphoric escapism and unabashed joy as they performed their Triple J Like A Version of ‘It's Raining Men’ and the last dance fest sing along of the night ‘No Hat No Play’.

It was one very happy crowd that left The Triffid and drifted out into an early Saturday morning.