LIVE REVIEW: AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS @ SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL
With special guests Bob Vylan and Miss Kannina
On 24 January 2025, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl hosted a celebration of punk, community, and unfiltered energy as Amyl and the Sniffers brought their Cartoon Darkness tour to Melbourne. With support from Bob Vylan and Miss Kannina, the night was a testament to punk’s enduring ability to unite.
The night kicked off with Naarm/Melbourne local Miss Kannina, delivering a ferocious set of tracks from her September 2024 EP. She kept the energy rising, captivating us all with raw vocals. What a delight it is to see her at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl after winning an ARIA Music Award in 2024 for her release “Blak Britney”, and an even bigger pleasure to see that song performed live.
Up next was UK punk duo Bob Vylan, making their Australian debut and proving why they’re one of the most exciting acts in the genre right now. Though many in the crowd weren’t familiar with their work, they wasted no time converting sceptics with a high-octane set. Tracks like “Dream Big” and “We Live Here” displayed their razor-sharp lyrics and genre-bending style, blending punk and grime.
Their raw energy and biting commentary, peppered by hilarious (and slightly terrifying) anecdotes, including one about kicking a bad man down a flight of stairs, left the us both laughing and cheering. By the time they closed with the fiery “Hunger Games”, the crowd was hooked, chanting for more. At the end of their set, the pair promised they’d be back in 2026 for a headline tour.
By the time Amyl and the Sniffers hit the stage, the anticipation in the Bowl was high. The band’s entrance was as iconic as their sound, with Amy Taylor sporting an outfit made of whoopee cushions, Declan Martens dazzling in glam rock glitter, Gus Romer in a striking green tracksuit, and Bryce Wilson commanding an orange-and-yellow tiger-print drum kit. From the moment the first chord of “Doing In Me Head” hit, the crowd exploded into one of the most energetic, yet respectful, mosh pits Melbourne has seen.
The setlist was stacked with old and new bangers, but the Cartoon Darkness tracks stood out as favourites. Hearing “Jerkin’” live for the first time was a near-religious experience—the crowd belted the opening lines back to Amy in unison. “Tiny Bikini” and “Knifey” were anthems of empowerment with Amyl’s signature punchy defiance. Amy’s banter between songs hit home with important messages about societal issues, all delivered with a wit and relatability that only this band can muster.
Older tracks like “Guided by Angels” and “Some Mutts (Can’t Be Muzzled)” had long-time fans throwing themselves into the chaos, while “Freaks to the Front” and “Security” brought the house down, solidifying the band’s unmatched ability to make punk accessible for everyone. The community values they champion: respect, inclusivity, and a “no dickheads” policy, shone through, with the mosh pit feeling like an extension of the family they’ve built around their music.
After a brief encore break, the band returned with the raucous “Balaclava Lover Boogie” and “GFY,” sending the crowd into a final frenzy. By the end, no one wanted to leave—sweaty, smiling, and completely exhausted. A masterclass in Australian punk rock.