Playlunch (band)
Playlunch | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | Funk rock |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Label | ABC Music |
| Members |
|
| Website | playlunchband |
Playlunch are a seven-member Australian band from Melbourne, Victoria, which formed in 2022.[1][2]
The band was formed during Melbourne's COVID-19 lockdowns, originating as the project of lead singer Liam Bell, who began writing funk songs in a share house home-studio in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.[3][4] Prior to forming Playlunch, several members had been part of Parkville, a folk band.[3]
They have described their style as "bogan funk"[2] and lyrically they have been said to capture "all the mundane details of Aussie culture with sharp wit and fond affection" with songs referencing Zooper Doopers, Healthy Harold, and Coles supermarkets.[5]
The band members are Liam Bell (lead singer, guitarist), Michael D'Emilio (keyboardist/synth), Tom Kindermann (guitarist), Dylan Knur (bassist), Jerry Li (trumpeter), Andre Lew (saxophonist) and Austin Richardson (drummer).[6][7]
In November 2024, the band signed with the label ABC Music.[8]
Career
2022–2024: Who's Ready For a Good Time?
Playlunch's initial fame came from their song "Soupe Opera", which samples the French television show of the same name and went viral on TikTok.[9] "Soupe Opera" was followed by "Hornbag", the name of which is a reference to Australian comedy show Kath & Kim.[10] Both songs were later part of the band's debut LP Who's Ready For a Good Time, which was released in 2023.[1] In 2024, the band signed with ABC Music.[11]
Playlunch performed at the BIGSOUND 2024 music conference,[12] and was well received by reviewers.[13]
2025-2026: Sex Ed
The band's album Sex Ed was released on 22 August 2025, and described as funk rock by the ABC.[1] The album received positive reviews and was called "tongue-in-cheek".[14] A live performance off the back of the album's release was well received by The AU Review.[15]
The album's single "Keith", the video for which features acting from AFL player Barry Hall, was released ahead of the album and went viral.[1][16] The song describes a man who becomes continuously angrier as multiple people park in the parking spot outside of his house.[17] Marketing for the song also involved a hotline 1800-KEITH where fans were encouraged to call in with their stories of their own "Keiths".[18] "Keith" placed #4 in the 2025 Triple J Hottest 100.[19]
In 2025, Playlunch covered "It's Raining Men" for Triple J's Like a Version,[20] later released as a single.[21]
The music video for the album's single "Real Estate Apps" featured comedy group Aunty Donna and housing activist Jordan van den Lamb.[5]
In 2026, Playlunch announced a North American tour[22] and were announced as performers for the BASSINTHEGRASS music festival.[23]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [24] | |||
| Who's Ready for a Good Time? |
|
— | |
| Sex Ed |
|
71 | |
| "—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [26] | |||
| "No Hat No Play"[27] | 2022 | — | Who's Ready for a Good Time? |
| "Soupe Opera"[28] | — | ||
| "Foxtel Girl"[29] | — | ||
| "Blue Light Disco"[30] | 2023 | — | |
| "Station Rat"[31] | 2024 | — | Sex Ed |
| "Boys"[32] | 2025 | — | |
| "Keith"[33] | 53 | ||
| "Real Estate Apps" (featuring Aunty Donna)[5] |
— | ||
| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Promotional singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "It's Raining Men" (Triple J Like a Version)[21] |
2025 | Non-album single |
Awards and nominations
APRA Awards
The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | "Keith" (Liam Bell) | Song of the Year | Shortlisted | [34] |
J Awards
The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | "Keith" (directed by Riley Nimbs) |
Australian Video of the Year | Nominated | [35] |
| Playlunch | Unearthed Artist of the Year | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b c d "Playlunch - Sex Ed". ABC Music. 22 August 2025. Archived from the original on 25 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Playlunch are the Australiana-themed band bringing Bogan Funk to the big stage". Triple J Unearthed. 21 July 2025. Archived from the original on 26 July 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ a b Bryson-Sabec, Ella (15 September 2024). "Bogan funk brings the kids back to the yard". The Burne. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "Playlunch Reveal 29-Date Sex Ed Regional Tour After Breakout Year". Backseat Mafia. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ a b c Mack, Emmy (23 August 2025). "Playlunch Team Up With Aunty Donna And Purplepingers For 'Real Estate Apps'". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 25 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ Packer, Clareese (30 December 2024). "Aussie bands reveal way they are connecting with fans". NewsWire. Retrieved 25 August 2025 – via news.com.au.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Winn, Oliver (10 February 2025). "Beer bongs, 'bogan funk' and brotherly love: Meet Playlunch, Australia's new favourite party band". Beat Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 June 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ Jenke, Tyler (7 November 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: Bogan-Funk Sensations Playlunch Announce Signing With ABC Music". The Music. Archived from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ Walters, Tammy (14 October 2024). "Playlunch Regional Tour 2024 - Geelong". Forte Magazine. Archived from the original on 25 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ Varvaris, Mary (18 July 2024). "Playlunch Drop 'Kath & Kim' Banger". The Music. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "Keith, Barry Hall and a C-bomb: How this band tore through the Hottest 100". ABC News. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Playlunch". BIGSOUND. 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "BIGSOUND: The LivewireAu Team's Highlights". LivewireAU. 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Marshall, Dylan (21 August 2025). "Album Review: Playlunch's second LP Sex Ed is pure, unadulterated fun". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 25 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "Live Review: Playlunch deliver the best headline gig of the year at Sydney's Manning Bar". The AU Review. 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Pattison Levi, Cecilia (17 June 2025). "SINGLE REVIEW: Playlunch – Keith". The Live Wire. Archived from the original on 25 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "Ex-AFL Legend Barry Hall Channels His Inner 'Keith' in Playlunch's Wild New Music Video". ABC Music. 19 June 2025. Archived from the original on 28 July 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ Zebra, John (13 June 2025). "Melbourne Funk Rebels Playlunch Return With Wild New Single 'Keith'". AAA Backstage. Archived from the original on 25 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ Fry, Courtney (24 January 2026). "Hottest 100 of 2025 - featuring Playlunch, Olivia Dean, Tame Impala and RAYE". ABC News. Archived from the original on 24 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Playlunch cover The Weather Girls' It's Raining Men for Like A Version". triple j. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 September 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ a b "It's Raining Men (triple j Like A Version) – Single by Playlunch". Apple Music. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "Playlunch Announce North America Tour". Rolling Stone Australia / New Zealand. 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "BASSINTHEGRASS 2026 Adds Denzel Curry, Ninajirachi, Playlunch and More". Rolling Stone Australia / New Zealand. 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 1 September 2025". The ARIA Report. No. 1852. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 September 2025. p. 6.
- ^ a b Young, David James (30 June 2025). "Playlunch announce second studio album "Sex Ed" and 2025 national tour". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 1 July 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "Megadeth go out with a bang". ARIA Charts. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ "No Hat No Play – Single by Playlunch". Apple Music. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "Playlunch release parody of ABC classic, "Soupe Opera"". Real Songwriters of Melbourne. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "Foxtel Girl – Single by Playlunch". Apple Music. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "Blue Light Disco – Single by Playlunch". Apple Music. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "Station Rat – Single by Playlunch". Apple Music. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ Downs, Sarah (20 February 2025). "Best Australian Music of the Week: February 10th–16th". Rolling Stone Australia / New Zealand. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ Varvaris, Mary (16 June 2025). "Playlunch team up with former AFL player Barry Hall for new music video". The Music. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "APRA Song of the Year top 25 announced for centenary year". APRA Awards (Australia). 3 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ "Get around all your big winners of the 2025 J Awards!". Triple J. 12 November 2025. Archived from the original on 15 January 2026. Retrieved 3 November 2025.