Millencolin & Pennywise - Review & Photo Gallery 1st March @ Pirate Life Brewing, Port Adelaide SA

Millencolin & Pennywise @ Pirate Life Brewing 10th Birthday
Pirate Life Brewing, Port Adelaide SA
March 1st, 2025
Featuring: Area 7, 28 Days, Jay & Lindsay (Frenzal Rhomb), Brad Chicken & The Bootstraps, Brave Mistakes, Haystacks Calhoon, Indiago, Jawgee, Jongo Bones & The Barefoot Bandits, Juliette Seizure & The Tremor Dolls, LOLA, Mitch Primer, Numbskulls, Pest Control, Ricky Albeck And The Belair Line Band, Stabbitha And The Knifey Wifeys, St Judes, Young Offenders.

Tenth birthday celebrations are usually a low-key affair. For my son’s 10th, my wife and I let him invite ten friends for laser tag, cake, and an ungodly amount of soft drink. By comparison, South Australian brewery Pirate Life Brewing marked their milestone with an all-day punk-fuelled festival of beer, food, tattoos, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and a musical lineup spanning more than 25 years of punk nostalgia. Headlined by two bands that shaped the punk-loving man I am today, Millencolin and Pennywise, alongside a full-day, two-stage program of Australian punk and rock, this was no ordinary birthday party.

Founded a decade ago in suburban Adelaide, Pirate Life Brewing is a rare success story in consumer brands—scaling from craft upstart to industry heavyweight, whilst holding on to its brand of punk-inspired, boundary-pushing beers. Approaching their Port Adelaide home—a historic warehouse turned brewing hub—the venue's towering silos, oversized street art, and a loading dock-turned-stage set the scene for a punk rock takeover. By early afternoon, the venue was already swelling with skate shoes, band tees, and greying hair—proof that many in the crowd had been riding this wave since the ’90s. Beyond the chaos of the main stage, a smaller setup offered respite—shaded tables, an extensive beer lineup, even a tattoo station. For those dodging the mosh, the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater comp provided a different kind of battle, controllers in hand instead of fists in the air.

After a quick tour of the venue and setup, and a cheeky beer, I made my way to the main stage just in time for Adelaide locals Jongo Bones & The Barefoot Bandits. Their brash, loud, yet undeniably catchy punk kicked off the day with a small but enthusiastic crowd at the barrier. Over on the smaller stage Brad Chicken & The Bootstraps brought a different energy—a bootscootin’, yee-hawin’, and even 'Nutbush City Limits' dance-off, packed with over-the-top camp energy that was simply fun. Back at the main stage, Jay & Lindsay (of Frenzal Rhomb) delivered an acoustic set of Frenzal songs minus their bandmates. As a big fan, I was unsure how an acoustic set would translate outside of a small bar setting, but ditching the short-fast-loud chaos for a more laid-back, almost adult-contemporary take on classics, proved to be a memorable inclusion.

Adding to the vibe, local legends Juliette Seizure & The Tremor Dolls jumped on stage for backing vocals, giving the performance additional vocal layers – in addition to the loud crowd, singing along to songs that felt both perfect and hilariously out of place in this new format. 'Punch In The Face', 'You Are Not My Friend' and 'Cunt Act' being standout moments. It was an early highlight, and those who arrived late should rightfully be kicking themselves.

As the day progressed, the energy continued to surge on the main stage. Numbskulls kept the momentum rolling with fast, no-frills Aussie surf punk. Stabbitha and the Knifey Wifeys brought pure ferocity, igniting the first circle pit of the day. LOLA proved why their local following is growing, with a set that had the mosh swelling and singalongs taking over. Then came 28 Days—a band I hadn’t thought about in a long time. Emerging in the late ’90s with their fusion of punk rock and nu-metal, they took the stage with their infamous intro chant, “28 Days Can Fuck Off,” screamed back at them by the crowd. It was a nostalgic punch, packed with self-deprecating humour and sharp musicianship, proving they still had it. That nostalgia only deepened with Area-7. Horns blaring, synths pulsing, and enough ’90s ska fashion to get the entire crowd skanking, their set turned the pit into a dance floor. Guest appearances from Jay & Lindsay for Nobody Likes A Bogan' and Dave Gleeson (The Screaming Jets) on 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?' made another standout moment from the day.

As day turned to night, it was time for the headline acts of this birthday celebration, and the crowd swelled to record numbers. Pennywise stormed the stage, setting off a punk rock frenzy that turned the already buzzing crowd into a full-throttle riot. Kicking off with 'My Own Country', they wasted no time before launching into 'It’s What You Do' and 'Who’s to Blame', with the pit swelling into a heaving, beer-soaked mass of bodies. Jim Lindberg, as commanding as ever, worked the crowd into a fever pitch, barely needing to sing as thousands screamed the words back at him. 'Straight Ahead' had fists in the air, while 'Society' turned the pit into a swirling chaos of limbs. A rowdy, expletive-laden singalong to 'Down Under' showcased the band’s affinity for Aussie crowds before they tore through 'Fuck Authority', dedicating it to the ongoing mess of American politics. The set hurtled toward its inevitable climax— 'Badge of Pride', 'Living for Today', and finally, 'Bro Hymn', which united the entire festival in one deafening chant.

With barely a moment to recover, Millencolin took up the challenge of following Pennywise—and did so with style. From the moment they launched into 'Penguins and Polarbears', the energy surged once again. Blazing through 'Fingers Crossed' and 'Fox', their set also spanned their vast discography, although lent heavily into Pennybridge Pioneers, celebrating 25 years since its release. Closing with 'Farewell My Hell' and 'Happiness For Dogs', they sent the crowd into a final frenzy with 'No Cigar'.

‍Pirate Life Brewing marked their 10th birthday with a celebration of beer, punk and community that should be envied by any punk who missed out. From the high-energy mosh pits to nostalgic singalongs, the event will be a memorable highlight for the thousands who spilled onto the streets that night singing in high spirits. If this is how Pirate Life celebrates turning 10, I can only imagine what chaos they'll unleash when they hit 18. Happy Birthday, Pirate Life!

Review & Gallery by Daniel Hill @No.Quiet.Photography. Please credit Wall Of Sound and Daniel Hill if you repost photos.