Pirate Life 10th Birthday @ Pirate Life Brewing, Port Adelaide 1/3/2025
It’s been a while since I went to a 10th Birthday party. What I remember from them is all your mates are there, there is music, games, food and lots of distractions. So, with Pirate Life inviting myself to celebrate their 10th birthday, it’s fair to say I’m expecting the same.
Held at the brewery itself in Port Adelaide, the masses converge for a punk musical line up of nearly thirty artists across two stages.
Since my last sojourn here, the train line stops right outside the venue meaning it’s much easier for southern punters to get to.
The event itself is headlined by Swedish punk legends Millencolin and California’s Pennywise, with a long list of Aussie stalwarts underneath celebrating the finest punk on offer.
I won’t speak too much on the bands as this is more about the event itself, which is Pirate Life. Others will do that from the comfy seats. I chose to get the full experience with friends. And what an experience.
Inside the building, the long bar is getting a constant turnover all day as punters try Pirate Life’s wild and varied selection of beverages. Yeah, there’s lager and XPA we all know however how about a Pomegranate Orange & Ginger Sour Ale? Or a Mango Hazy Pale? Watching the punters leave the bar with an assortment of rainbow coloured beverages, matching the rainbow coloured attire of the crowd, is wonderful.
Sticking with the punk theme, what’s more punk than Tony Hawks Pro Skater? Well, a section is set aside where you can compete with friends and win prizes! You can already see the PTSD childhood memories of throwing a tantrum in that part of the room.
Black Diamond Tattoo, a Port Adelaide institution, has a stall set up for your ink needs and Pirate Life’s own clothing and merchandise store does a brisk trade.
Talking of brisk trade, or brisket even, the food stalls are lined up along one road (as well as one inside the building) and they are cooking. Literally. A wide selections of foods is on offer and while I did wait for mine for fifteen mins you couldn’t fault the staff who worked non stop to make sure everyone got theirs quickly and fresh.
A short note on some of the bands that Pirate Life brought in for entertainment include Adelaide’s own Stabbitha & The Knifey Wifeys, who blend of punk with metal while vocalist Sass is a modern day Wendy O Williams, and Lola, who regardless of guitar sounds issues to play away in true punk rock fashion, furious, chaotic and with a crowd pogoing up front.
Onto the crowd, Pirate Life have taken on information from previous events that the main stage – by day a loading dock – dips, so those at the back when it levels out cannot see the stage. Two big screens are placed on either side of the stage for the plateau at road level, however if you’re wanting a smoke, waiting for food or even at the back bar, two further giant screens with sound towers have been placed so you miss none of the action and sound. Very very well done.
This means I don’t have to be lazy and stay in the VIP section, I can go and mingle with friends while missing nothing. Which is what a birthday party and gigs are for.
While mingling I went to the beer garden a few times during the day to check out the second stage. This stage was more for the sub genres and the attitude of punk. Think Hillbilly, folk, old school British DIY punk. With the garden packed and the floor dancing, it was arguably one of the top parts of the day. Highlight for me being Young Offenders who deliver a rambunctious version of the Clash’s Career Opportunities.
Talking of covers, back on the main stage, Melbourne’s Area 7, not to blow their trumpet cause they already have a four piece horn section, are the good time friend of the day throwing stubby holders out and bringing Dave Gleeson on stage from The Screaming Jets for a cover of Will I Ever See Your Face Again from The Angels – with the crowd doing their part naturally – in another nod to whose birthday it is, Pirate Life.
Pennywise keep that energy going, with pits, surfers and two step non stop, even at the back in front of the giant screens, the punters are dancing. Chuck in a cheeky Land Down Under cover and the Americans delight all watching.
Millencolin come on a little late, which means the set list is a little shorter unfortunately – it is a birthday party after all and someone’s parents are going to tell a child off – however no one is leaving just yet. The Swedes bringing the evening to composed close with No Cigar.
So, let’s recap, this birthday party had great entertainment, games, karaoke covers, lots of food and drinks, plenty of places to go and explore and friends. I’d say it’s the best birthday party I’ve been to in a long time.
Live Review By Iain McCallum