CHAOS IN ITS PUREST FORM
In the musical world, it is no secret that some bands thrive within the confines of recording studios, while others truly come alive in front of an adoring crowd. Amyl and the Sniffers are a prime example of the latter. Eight years since their inception, the band’s incessant rise in popularity has seen them summit the punk scene. Playing a sold-out, eight-show UK tour, Amy Taylor and her three bandmates—Bryce Wilson, Declan Mehrtens, and Gus Romer—kicked off the week in style, marking their triumphant return to the South West. The occasion? To celebrate the latest chaotic addition to their discography: Cartoon Darkness.
The ardent support for the Oceanian group was evident even before the doors to Bristol’s O2 Academy opened. A long queue snaked down the street as fans vied for prime positions along the barrier. However, before the headliners took the stage, the crowd was treated to one of punk’s fastest-rising forces: Upchuck. Entering the fray to Black Sabbath’s iconic War Pigs, the Atlanta-based band wasted no time igniting the room. They masterfully balanced hardcore and punk sounds through songs such as Freaky, Facecard, and Crashing. A standout highlight was the magnetic energy of their lead singer, KT. Her tantalising vocals captivated the crowd, while her repeated ventures into the audience to orchestrate mosh pits elevated the performance. The South West audience clearly agreed, erupting in applause as the American quartet closed their set.
After an extended break, anticipation in the now-full venue grew palpable. The audience’s restlessness was soon replaced with exhilaration as the lights dimmed and the iconic beat of Mobb Deep’s 1995 hip-hop classic Shook Ones Pt. II filled the room. One by one, Bryce Wilson, Declan Mehrtens, and Gus Romer stepped through the stage door, soaking in the roaring applause. Seconds later, energy levels peaked as frontwoman Amy Taylor skipped onto the stage, making her way to the microphone. Amid the crowd’s cheers, the drumbeat to Doing It Me Head began to play, sparking a fervent punk frenzy.
Feeding off the raw energy of the crowd, Mehrtens wasted no time launching into the hallmark guitar riff of Freaks to the Front, a standout track from their 2021 album Comfort to Me. With every beat of Wilson’s drum, the audience surged collectively, moving in unrelenting chaos. Song after song, the band delivered high-energy anthems, with Security standing out as a fan favourite. Anchored by Wilson’s metronomic drumming, the crowd’s chants of “SECURITY, WILL YOU LET ME IN YOUR PUB?” grew louder, a call-and-response that Taylor herself joined, conducting the audience’s energetic movements.
Midway through the set, the band took a brief pause, allowing Taylor to deliver an unapologetic commentary that included the crowd-pleasing proclamation: “F*** Trump!” The response was deafening, with cheers reverberating through the venue.
The set largely alternated between tracks from Cartoon Darkness (2024) and Comfort to Me (2021), showcasing the band’s range. At one point, they dimmed the lights for Big Dreams, a track infused with a seventies vibe yet unmistakably punk at its core. The brief calmness was shattered moments later as Mehrtens launched into It’s Mine, another standout from their latest album.
The relentless energy continued with tracks like Tiny Bikini and Me and The Girls, both of which were met with rapturous enthusiasm. As the show neared its end, the final trio of songs—U Should Not Be Doing That, Jerkin’, and the fan-favourite Hertz—brought the evening to a fever pitch. Since its release on Comfort to Me, Hertz has become a cornerstone of Amyl and the Sniffers’ live performances, and its anthemic punk choruses provided a flawless ending.
Yet, the sold-out Bristol crowd wasn’t ready to let the night end. Responding to chants for an encore, the band returned to the stage, maintaining their earlier intensity. Romer’s dark bassline introduced GFY, its vibrations pulsing through the floor and reigniting the mosh pit. Before closing with Balaclava Lover Boogie, Taylor expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support, making the finale an homage to their hometown of Balaclava, Melbourne. As the band exited the stage, the crowd’s applause mixed with the jubilant strains of Baccara’s Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, leaving fans on a euphoric high.
Upon leaving the venue, it was clear that the evening had been one of deep musical significance. Amyl and the Sniffers’ meteoric rise in punk—and the broader music scene—feels like it is reaching a turning point. This performance felt like a last hurrah before the Australian sensations ascend to household-name status. If you ever get the chance, Amyl and the Sniffers are nothing short of a must-see band.
Words: Johnty Tennant. Images: Rosie Risdale
Role - I am a passionate writer with an interest for reviewing concerts and music.
Available For - Gig reviews and artist interviews.
Qualification - Currently I am studying BSc in Politics and International Relations at the University of Bath.
First Concert - The first concert I ever attended was Coldplay at the Royal Albert Hall (2014). It was to promote the release of their ‘Ghost Stories’ album. I will never forget the call my dad gave me to say he had managed to get two tickets for the both of us. The whole experience was just pure joy. The relative intimacy (for Coldplay) of the Royal Albert Hall, will always make that night one of the best (if not the best) concerts I have ever attended.
Dream Concert - In all honesty this is too difficult to answer with just one concert. If I were to select a few artists that I would love to see, it would have to be: Hope Sandoval, feeble little horse, Greg Foat, Kurt Vile, Lucy Dacus (specifically playing ‘No Burden’ in its entirety), Jadu Heart and The Moldy Peaches.
There is also the difficulty of dream gigs that are not able to be done. These would be: Mahalia Jackson, Etta James, Ann Peebles, Karen Dalton, Leon Russell, Mojave 3, The Smiths, and George Harrison (“All Things Must Pass” just from start to finish).
Rosie Risdale @rosie_sh00ts
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
I am a portrait, fashion, and music photographer. I review and interview, and am also available for press shoots and album covers.
Qualification: Attending the University of the West of England for photography
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: The first gig I ever went to was to watch Bad Sounds at SWX in Bristol. The last was Conan Gray!
First gig shot: The first gig I ever shot was for an amazing band called Overpass.
Dream gig: I would die to see, shoot, or interview Loyle Carner!