Melbourne punk provocateurs Private Function announced their breakup on Christmas Day after nearly nine years, with bassist Milla Holland delivering a scathing critique of the Australian music industry.

Melbourne punk band Private Function have announced they're calling it quits after nearly nine years of chaos, satire, and some of the most memorable live shows in Australian punk history.

The band dropped the news on Christmas Day with typical Private Function irreverence—an image of a wrapped lump of coal captioned "we broke up lol" followed by: "Because you've all been such naughty children this year we've decided you're all getting the present you deserve... WE'RE BREAKING UP LOL."

A Scathing Industry Critique

But beneath the larrikin humour lies a more sobering message. Bassist Milla Holland took to Instagram with a candid explanation that's resonating with independent artists across the country.

"For 9 years we destroyed our bodies and minds, we made a lot of industry people a lot of money and saw very little ourselves. It became unsustainable as we got older and more injured."

Holland didn't hold back, declaring music festivals "dogshit" and "vibeless environmental disasters" pushed by corporate interests. Her parting shot: "The Australian music industry is parasitic."

Final Shows in 2026

Fans will have one last chance to catch the band live during their farewell run, which includes appearances at Froth & Fury festival and a national tour supporting Swedish post-punk legends Viagra Boys.

The band kicked off their farewell at The Tote on January 16th—fitting, given the venue's significance to Melbourne's punk scene.

A Legacy of Provocation

Since forming in 2016, Private Function carved out a unique space in Australian music with their combination of biting satire, absurdist marketing (remember the scratch-and-sniff vinyl?), and genuinely great punk rock. Their 2023 album 370HSSV 0773H debuted at #11 on the ARIA Charts.

Their breakup—and Holland's critique—has sparked important conversations about sustainability in the Australian music industry, particularly for independent artists who often sacrifice their health and finances for their art.

Private Function's final shows are selling fast. Check tour dates at your local venue.