The band’s brand of vintage punk is a breath of fresh air
Last night, Amyl and The Sniffers packed Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia. The rowdy Aussie punk rockers are currently on a headlining tour, bringing their raucous live show to sold-out venues across North America. After serving as special guests for Foo Fighters last summer, the band released their acclaimed third album Cartoon Darkness last fall. Armed with 13 new songs and plenty of momentum from the Foo Fighters run, Amyl and The Sniffers are having a breakout moment here in North America.
Check out the setlist and our full live photo gallery below.
Philly’s very own Sheer Mag kicked off the evening’s festivities.
“We’re Sheer Mag,” lead singer Christina Halladay said to the capacity crowd that showed up early for the local favorites. “And we’re from right here!”
The crowd roared.
The band made the most of their time and rolled through a short but sweet set. They sound both fresh and vintage, which is a harder feat to accomplish than most think. Hopefully, this tour will serve as another springboard to bigger things for this band.
After Sheer Mag got the room rowdy and ready, Amy and The Sniffers singer Amy Taylor strolled onto the stage with a drink in hand. The mood was electric as she jumped around, spilling it without a care in the world. When she finally put it down, the band launched into their opening number “Control.” Just three songs in, they pulled out the fan favorite “Freaks to the Front” which saw a huge surge in crowd surfers as fans took the lyrics quite literally. Security certainly had their hands full, in a good way.
The band proceeded to play a hefty, high-octane 20-song set that included a ton of new material from their latest LP, Cartoon Darkness. Tracks like “U Should Not Be Doing That,” “Do It Do It,” “Jerkin’,” and “Tiny Bikini” went over particularly well. Although it wasn’t released as a single, “Me and The Girls” was a big highlight of the set and is one of the better songs in the band’s entire catalog.
Other highlights included “Security,” “Guided by Angels,” “Hertz,” and many more.
While Amyl and The Sniffers certainly sound punk, there’s a big difference between that and actually being punk. In the true spirit of the genre, singer Amy Taylor took aim at current United States President Donald Trump several times, calling him out on his rough-around-the-edges approach that often makes certain folks feel alienated, and even hated. She also made it clear that the band supports everyone, from all walks of life, no matter gender, race, or sexual orientation. She made sure to shout-out the trans community as well, maintaining that punk rock is a space of inclusion, and hate has no place at an Amyl and The Sniffers show.
After closing out their set, the band returned to the stage to deafening cheers for a two-track encore. They pulled out fan favorites “Big Dreams” and “GFY.” When the show was over, it was evident that it was sold out for a reason. These folks have been cutting their teeth for a while now, and their hard work, high energy, and incredible stage presence are starting to pay dividends.
Amyl and The Sniffers hail from Melbourne, Australia, known for their raw energy, unapologetic attitude, and electrifying live performances. Formed in 2016, the band comprises vocalist Amy Taylor, guitarist Declan Mehrtens, bassist Gus Romer, and drummer Bryce Wilson. Their music blends 1970s punk influences with Australian pub rock, creating a sound that’s both nostalgic and fiercely contemporary.
The band originated in a Melbourne share house, where Taylor, Mehrtens, Wilson, and original bassist Calum Newton wrote and recorded their debut EP, Giddy Up, in just 12 hours. This DIY approach set the tone for their gritty, fast-paced style. Their second EP, Big Attraction, followed in 2017, further establishing their reputation in the punk scene. Newton departed in 2017 to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Gus Romer.
In 2019, Amyl and the Sniffers released their self-titled debut album, produced by Ross Orton. The album received critical acclaim for its blistering tracks and Taylor’s commanding vocals. It won the ARIA Award for Best Rock Album and was nominated for the Australian Music Prize.
Their sophomore album, Comfort to Me, released in 2021, was written during Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdowns. The album showcased a heavier sound, drawing influences from old-school rock and modern hardcore. It debuted at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and received nominations for Album of the Year at the ARIA Awards and the J Award.
In 2024, the band released their third studio album, Cartoon Darkness, recorded in Los Angeles with producer Nick Launay. The album marked a sonic evolution, incorporating elements like saxophone and vocoder while maintaining their punk roots. It was nominated for the 2024 Australian Music Prize and won Best LP/EP at the 2025 Rolling Stone Australia Awards.
Amyl and the Sniffers are renowned for their explosive live shows, with Taylor’s dynamic stage presence captivating audiences worldwide. Their performances have been described as chaotic and electrifying, contributing to their growing international fanbase.
