Almost nine years to the day since they played their first show, Melbourne musical mirthmakers Private Function have announced their split. News of the group’s breakup was shared on social media today (Thursday, December 25th), days after the band had explained the would not be holding an annual Christmas show, but would rather be holding a special event on Christmas itself. That event took the form of a message which saw the group share a ‘present’ with their followers, with an accompanying image being a wrapped lump of coal with the words “we broke up lol” positioned above. “Because you’ve all been such naughty children this year we’ve decided you’re all getting the present you deserve,” they wrote. “WE’RE BREAKING UP LOL. “The last nine years have been the best time of our lives. We’ve accomplished more than we ever thought possible. And it’s all because of you helping us out.” Embedded Content “Thank you so much for supporting us for almost a decade,” they continued. “We owe you everything and promise to buy you all a beer one day x” In a story shared to her Instagram stories, bassist Milla Holland appeared to confirm the news, writing: “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. “Cautionary tale,” she continued. “The Australian music industry is parasitic and you only get more exploited the higher up they let you. “That said I'm so grateful that i got to be a part of the band,” she concluded. “My best memories are from the early days playing small intimate shows. Music festivals are dogshit, corpos convinced us that we want them but they are vibe less environmental disasters.” Private Function first formed in late 2016, releasing their Six Smokin’ Songs EP on cassette before they even played their first show (and launching the annual Private Function Christmas show tradition in the process) at Yah Yah’s in Collingwood on December 16th. Embedded Content Following the arrival of their Rock In Roll EP the following year, the group would release their debut album St Anger – with its artwork and title being in honour of Metallica's divisive 2003 album – through Disdain Records in 2019. The release of 2020's Whose Line Is It Anyway? saw the group hit the ARIA top ten – reaching No. 9 – before 2023's 370HSSV 0773H was nominated for an ARIA for Best Cover Art, thanks to its controversial scratchie cover (though no nominations arrived for its special urine-filled edition). The band’s latest album – May’s ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ – followed on from a run of stadium shows supporting Green Day, and made headlines the world over, largely due to a special edition of the album being made to smell like actress Gwyneth Paltrow‘s vagina. Just days ago, news broke that Private Function had been in the studio making another record. In a comment shared on Instagram, the group noted these recordings would be their swansong. Given the band’s humorous nature and history of making outlandish statements, some fans were quick to take the news of the split with a grain of salt. However, they’ve urged their followers to catch them live while they still can, while promising there’s still a “few shows and a few surprises for you before we totally bail.” “Our Australian tour with the Viagra Boys will be the last time you can see us play around the country so come down and party,” they wrote. While any announcement of this magnitude from one of the country’s most memorable and irreverent punk bands should always be taken with a grain of salt, fans have come together to lament this impending break up the only way they know how – chanting the band’s enduring motto: PF STILL ON TOP. Embedded Content

Performers include David Hobson, Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino, Denis Walter, Dami Im, Sammy J, Samantha Jade, stars of MJ the Musical and Anastasia.

He’s already become one of Australia’s biggest musical exports, but now Dom Dolla has added another feather to his already-storied cap, becoming the first electronic act to headline an Aussie stadium show. This time last year, the the Grammy Award-nominated DJ, producer, and five-time ARIA Award winner has just made history by selling over 170,000 tickets to his national tour. Now, fast-forward to December 20th, and Dom Dolla is again taking electronic music to new heights. Announcing his debut Australian stadium show back in May, Dom Dolla took to the stage at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday night for the largest headline concert of his career. Drawing 40,000 audience members to the show, Dom Dolla’s gig took place just under a week after the Bondi Beach terror attacks, with the producer also paying tribute to the first responders and lifeguards who were in attendance on the night. “That was absolutely mental not sure I’ll ever recover,” Dom Dolla wrote on social media after the event. “Most insane night of my life.” Embedded Content With international acts KETTAMA and Fcukers on support duty alongside Australia’s own Anna Lunoe, the evening featured Dom Dolla dishing out unreleased tunes, exclusive remixes, and a surprise performance with collaborator Clementine Douglas for Miracle Maker. The event was presented by Untitled Group and TEG Live, with Untitled Co-Founder & Managing Partner Nicholas Greco reflecting on the impact of the event after years working with the world-beating musician. “Watching Dom grow from the beginning of his journey to delivering a stadium show of this scale - and doing so in his home country as the first electronic artist to headline a stadium in Australia - has been incredibly inspiring,” Greco said. “Seeing an electronic artist connect with tens of thousands of people in that environment shows just how incredible he is, and it’s exciting to look ahead to what’s next as he closes out 2025 and brings that momentum into 2026 at home with his fans.” Dom Dolla is set to take a small break before hitting up the New Year's Eve festival circuit with performances at Beyond The Valley and Wildlands, before hitting the road in January and February, with dates planned in Asia, North America, South America, and Europe. Embedded Content

December 22nd 2025 edition of 979fm's all-Australian show Living In The Land Of Oz Featuring music journalist Jeff Jenkins looking back at 2025 in Australian music See the playlist at https://3rim.ra...

Journalist Jeff Jenkins (The Music, Stack Magazine) looks back at 2025 in Aussie music

With just a few weeks to go until the launch of the 2026 Australian Open, the annual event is shaping up to be a big one, with Crowded House confirmed as performers of their upcoming Opening Ceremony. Taking place at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on January 17th, the veteran rockers will take to the stage as part of the event, which will kick off the tennis tournament that takes over the city for the next two weeks. “Crowded House are delighted to be appearing centre court to mark the opening of the Australian Open,” founder Neil Finn said in a statement. “And to share the evening with legends of the game is an honour beyond words.” The legends Finn refers to are six-time champion Roger Federer, two-time AO champ Andre Agassi, and Aussie legends and Grand Slam champions Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt, who will take part in what has been dubbed a unique ‘Battle of the World No.1s’. Crowded House’s appearance at the Australian Open is just another chapter in the tournament’s role as one of the big musical drawcards of the year as well. In the week leading up to the Opening Ceremony, the AO Live Opening Week will feature performances from Hot Chip, Elderbrook, Cassian, and a DJ set from The Presets. Then, in the closing days of the tournament, the AO Live line-up will feature names such as The Kid LAROI, Spacey Jane, The Veronicas, Peggy Gou, Reneé Rapp, and more. Tickets to all the Australian Open 2026 events are on sale now. Embedded Content AO LIVE OPENING WEEK 2026 LINE-UP Tuesday, January 13th Hot Chip (Live) with Milo Eastwood and O Honey Wednesday, January 14th Elderbrook with Juno Mamba, Samantha Loveridge, and Jordz Thursday, January 15th Cassian with Willo, OLIIV, and bellxsxs Friday, January 16th The Presets (Live) with RONA., Harvey Sutherland (DJ set), and Post Percy AO OPENING CEREMONY Saturday, January 17th Crowded House AO LIVE 2026 LINE-UP Wednesday, January 28 – 5-9 pm AEDT The Kid LAROI + Special guests Thursday, January 29th – 5-9 pm AEDT Spacey Jane + Special guests Friday, January 30th – 5-9 pm AEDT The Veronicas + Sofi Tukker + Special guests Saturday, January 31st – 2-7 pm AEDT Reneé Rapp AO Women’s Final – 7.30 pm Sunday, February 1st– 2-7 pm AEDT Peggy Gou + Special guests AO Men’s Final – 7.30 pm

TV and Radio groups pass a key hurdle on their way to a new mega-media company, and the retirement of Chair Kerry Stokes.