Opening with the first track, ‘Can You Hear Me’, off their newly released Three of Swords album, felt a poignant way for Private Wives to open their headline set at Northern Beaches 7th Day Brewery. An all-women punk band from Wollongong is not the type of band you would associate with seeing at a craft brewery in one of the more affluent areas of Sydney that also isn’t known for its live music scene. So, belting out a loud gritty opener with lyrics “are you even listening” and “you think that you are clever, but I can do better” certainly announced both the start of their set and the ethos of the band.
When you see a Private Wives gig, you really begin to understand how special this three piece is, there are not many that can share the lyrics between them in such a way, especially live, to produce a cohesive sound across its tracks that leaves you in no doubt it is the same band, that the correct vocalist is singing and with the other two voices lifting the lead and not overpowering. It is hard to imagine many other bands juggling this but Zoe Lewis (drums), Lucy Spencer (bass) and Phoebe Price (guitar), pull it off.
Their ease with each other and on the stage could be seen by lack of a set list, yet no doubt what was being played. Maybe that is because this was the penultimate slot of their east coast album launch, but also when midway through their set, unbeknownst to everyone, a fire twirler started performing mid set. You’d never have known they were just as surprised as everyone else if they didn’t introduce their next song. The fire twirler could have been cool but probably didn’t work in this instance. Maybe it would have been better immediately before Private Wives, drawing people in to watch rather than taking them away from watching.
The headline act for ‘Brookie Fests’ 2026 launch night, Private Wive’s thumping bass, hypnotic drums and gritty guitar were supported by Retail Therapy, and GAIA, with both bands giving a special treat to those there by playing new songs live for the first time.
GAIA kicked things off with a poppy, funky jazz like set, her voice clearly the highlight, with the five piece band (including GAIA on guitar) providing a foundation of music that allowed songs about unrequited love (‘Disposition’ – not yet released), and ‘Fate’ with its strong beat and strong voice to shine.
Retail Therapy’s set was a delight. With the lead vocalist, Charlize Spillane, off stage, it seemed like the band started to just jam only to fill in time. The next moment, Charlize arrives and they go launch into a seamless two song opener that has the room dancing, and continuing to dance for the rest of their set.
As the release date for their new track, ‘Shame’, we were treated to a strong guitar riffs, thumping drum kicks and searching lyrics, all of which belie their relatively short time together as a band.
You can only be in awe of Retail Therapy, battling both sickness and breaking her arm two days prior, Charlize Spillane pushed on with a high energy set, locking in the audience with her eyes. It is hard to imagine what a set would be like in full health, as the only time I clocked any ill effects was near the end, and then only between songs, with Charlize’s her voice getting huskier and when the band announced they would be skipping one song, of an otherwise longish support set.
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