Gig

Amyl and the Sniffers – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 16th January @ Hindley St Music Hall, Adel SA

/10

Jan 18, 2025

7 min read

Amyl and the Sniffers
Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide SA
January 16th, 2025
Supports: Bad//Dreems and Miss Kaninna

Amyl and the Sniffers have always seemed like an anomaly to me. Not because they don’t deserve every bit of success they’ve worked hard for, but because so many good Australian punk bands historically struggle to break free from the local circuit of small bars and clubs. While countless acts pour their hearts into these spaces every weekend, few manage to achieve widespread recognition. Yet, Amyl and the Sniffers have defied expectations, taking their raw, unapologetic sound to the world stage.

Formed in Melbourne, the band – consisting of frontwoman Amy Taylor, guitarist Declan Mehrtens, bassist Gus Romer, and drummer Bryce Wilson – burst onto the scene with their self-titled debut album in 2019. Known for their ferocious energy and relentless punk ethos, their music blends thrash, pub rock, and a spirit of rebellion that resonates with a surprisingly diverse audience. From mohawk punks to bogan barflies, Amyl and the Sniffers speak to anyone who feels out of place in modern society. Their growing list of accolades, including an ARIA Award for Best Rock Album, cements their place as one of Australia’s most exciting and unorthodox success stories.

This diverse appeal was evident on Thursday night as the band launched their 2025 Cartoon Darkness World Tour in Adelaide. Outside the Hindley St Music Hall, a line stretched around the corner, reflecting a mix of ages, genders, and social demographics—a testament to their wide-reaching impact. Inside, the dedication of fans was equally clear. The venue was nearly full within 30 minutes of doors opening, a rarity these days, as punters eagerly showed up early to support the night’s opening acts.

First on stage was Miss Kaninna, a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon, and Yirendali artist from Lutruwita (Tasmania), now based in Naarm (Melbourne). Her fusion of soul, hip-hop, and R&B might not traditionally align with punk, but her message, storytelling, and energy embodied the genre’s defiant spirit. She tackled themes of empowerment and resistance, offering a lens into the experiences of a First Nations, non-male artist.

Acknowledging the stylistic difference, Miss Kaninna humbly encouraged the crowd to stick around and enjoy her music—and they did. Her passion and authenticity resonated, earning cheers, applause, and visible movement among the audience. Closing with the powerful ‘Blak Britney’, she set the stage for an unforgettable night, proving that punk isn’t confined to sound but thrives in raw expression and conviction.

Next up was local rock outfit Bad//Dreems, stepping in as a replacement for UK punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, who couldn’t make the Adelaide show. While the absence of Bob Vylan initially caused some disappointment, Bad//Dreems quickly won over the crowd with their anthemic rock sound and unfiltered grit.

The Adelaide favourites launched into their set with ‘Dumb Ideas’, immediately striking a chord with the packed room. Their raw, pub rock ethos felt right at home, and tracks like ‘Cuffed and Collared’ kept the energy high. The band’s chemistry and unapologetic swagger resonated with the audience, who were singing along and swaying from start to finish.

As Bad//Dreems wrapped up, any lingering disappointment over Bob Vylan’s absence had been replaced with admiration for a band that knows how to energise and electrify a crowd. They proved to be the perfect lead-in to what would become a night for the books.

By the time Amyl and the Sniffers were ready to take the stage, the anticipation in the room had reached fever pitch. The crowd roared as The Prodigy’s ‘Firestarter’ blasted through the speakers, heralding the band’s arrival. Frontwoman Amy Taylor burst onto the stage with the intensity of a human fireball, channeling every ounce of punk energy into her performance.

Opening with ‘Doing In My Head’ before tearing into ‘Freaks to the Front’, the band wasted no time in delivering their signature chaos and catharsis. The setlist spanned their discography, from their self-titled debut to 2021’s Comfort to Me, with seamless transitions between tracks keeping the audience on their toes. Amy Taylor’s stage presence was magnetic. Fierce, unapologetic, and brimming with charisma, she bounded across the stage with an energy that never wavered. Between high-octane anthems, she took moments to connect with the audience, delivering heartfelt introductions to tracks like ‘Knifey’, where she called attention to the grim realities of intimate partner violence in Australia.

Later, she delivered a quirky but poignant reflection on self-improvement, joking, “If you’re still learning, it doesn’t matter. I only just started washing my hands with soap!” Her ability to balance humour, emotion, and rebellion perfectly encapsulates the essence of the band.

The atmosphere was electric throughout. The diverse crowd—teenagers, seasoned punks, and everything in between—belted out every lyric, none louder than during ‘Jerkin’, where the comically vulgar lyrics nearly drowned out Amy herself.

The band’s energy never faltered, and they brought the house down with ‘Hertz’, before briefly exiting the stage. They returned for an encore featuring ‘Facts’ and ‘GFY’, closing with the same intensity they brought from the first note.

Amyl and the Sniffers demonstrated exactly why they’ve captivated audiences worldwide. Raw, rebellious, and utterly authentic, they channelled the chaos of a local pub gig into a performance delivered with the confidence of a band at their peak. As fans streamed out, grinning and exhilarated, it was clear that punk’s spirit is alive and thriving—not just in the music but in the community it continues to inspire.

Setlist

Doing in Me Head
Freaks To The Front
Do It Do It
Chewing Gum
Security
Got You
Motorbike
Some Mutts (Can’t Be Muzzled)
Knifey
Guided By Angels
Pigs
Control
Jerkin
Tiny Bikini
Me and the Girls
Maggot
Big Dreams
Its Mine
U Should Not Be Doin That
Hertz
Facts
GFY