Amyl and the Sniffers absolutely brought the house down in Brisbane, as expected from their explosive live shows.
From the moment they took the stage, the energy in the room was electrified (1 February). Being the first punk-rock style show I had ever attended, I walked into The Tivoli unsure of what I would be feeling when I left it – safe to say this band singlehandedly created one of the warmest environments I have ever witnessed in live music.The final night of the Cartoon Darkness Australian tour was finally here on a very warm summer's evening in Brisbane, equipped with a very impressive line-up consisting of an eclectic mix of punk rock from Miss Kaninna and UK duo Bob Vylan.
Miss Kaninna was the first to grace the stage and she did so in a manner that satisfied all senses. The proud Yorta Yorta woman encapsulated the eyes and ears of each and every punter who got a little more than they had bargained for with the first opening act of the night.
She savoured every last second that she was granted onstage, delving into the ins and outs of the political messaging behind each one of her songs. Her voice is indisputably her biggest tool, but not in the way that most singers utilise it.
She rounded out her set with her 2x ARIA-nominated track 'Blak Britney' preaching her final words: "I am a proud sovereign Aboriginal woman, f... the Commonwealth."
Miss Kaninna - image © Hope Morgan
Bob Vylan were nothing short of a sensory rollercoaster. The duo from Great Britain graced the stage alongside their stage banner, which read 'Bob Vylan is killing punk rock'.
From this display, I had prepared myself for them to open with a heavy song, get the crowd amped – I will admit this was where I learned to not assume anything at a punk rock show.
Frontman Bobby Vylan entered stage right, took centre stage, and for the first three minutes of their set. . . meditated!? Standing in the photo pit I was stunned, a little bit in awe, but most of all just very confused.
Safe to say the warmups, breath exercises and stretching was all necessary; from the first to the final beat, that man did not stand still. Bounding and jumping across the stage whilst his counterpart Bobbie Vylan on drums worked up a sweat, the UK pair entranced the audience with their wild stage presence and authentic delivery.
The 'Vylan' chant rung out across the venue with the final night of the tour earning a place in their much-anticipated upcoming album. The charisma, and genuine pride from these two were abundant all night, they reassured the crowd they will return to the land down under next year for their first Aussie headline shows.
Bob Vylan - image © Hope Morgan
Atmosphere rose within The Tivoli, much like the heat, the genuine rock show experience becoming apparent to me. With stragglers stumbling out of the bathroom, and the moshpit already forming, boy was it electrifying!
As the lights came down, 'Destination Unknown' blared out creating the perfect strut song for Amy Taylor to the sold-out room wearing a wonderful cow-print bikini and flared frilled chaps. "Look after each other, if someone falls you pick them up, don't touch anyone who doesn't want to be touched," she laid down the law early, initialising the safe space for everyone to get rowdy yet feel shielded.
The band hit the ground running with 'Doing In Me Head' sparking the crowd into a frenzy, moshpits circulating across the floor. The room fed off the band's adrenaline, notable that they were going to give everything they had to this final night of the tour.
There was a sense of camaraderie in the room that is a testament to the environment the band meticulously crafts for their audience. An array of ages, sizes, walks of life had all come together on this Saturday night to celebrate something they value and love, and it was clear the bad reciprocates all that love they receive.
Amyl and the Sniffers - image © Hope Morgan
Interactions between the band and fans made the show feel like a big group of friends coming together, Amy of course being the life of the party.
As the set progressed, the crowd became more and more unhinged, and I think I can safely say that if you have ever been to an Amyl and The Sniffers show, you will understand what I mean when I say it is a complete sensory experience; there was never a moment where the energy dipped or faltered.
Amy is the epitome of a true performer, rocking the Australian music game like no other that was reflected in the way everyone in the crowd had smiles permanently plastered to their faces, feeling free to be unapologetically themselves in that space.
They delivered an explanation to the ins and outs of their most recent album, 'Cartoon Darkness', which delves into the ideology of seeing the current world we live in through the perspective of our childhood selves. Allowing ourselves to roam free, "block out the bullsh.t," in Amy's words.
Amyl and the Sniffers - image © Hope Morgan
Taylor spoke to the crowd in regard to the 101 women that were killed in Australia last year at the hands of domestic violence, the emotion riddled in Amy's voice was met with the applause and support throughout the room as they transitioned into their song 'Knifey', which I recommend you listen to, if you wish to feel the emotion that was carried through the room.
Their set was a seamless masterpiece, no breaks, no intermission, no pause – no chance for the energy to falter. Amy reminded the crowd we all need to include a couple of swear words in our day-to-day lives to ease the tension of life as she dedicated the night's performance of 'Jerkin'' to her cousin, watching on in the wings.
The feminine energy in the venue was further amplified with 'Me And The Girls' and 'Tiny Bikini', the latter which featured Miss Kaninna's return to the stage in her tiny bikini. The final songs were the last round of high-energy hits, the warm room and ferocious movements leaving everyone drenched in sweat, but notably immensely happy.
Amyl and the Sniffers - image © Hope Morgan
Amyl and the Sniffers live is an experience that I recommend highly to anyone who considers themselves to be a music lover. They embody the stereotypical punk spirit while breaking norms in the industry to create a true sense of friendship and camaraderie with every room that they light up.
The show was nothing short of empowering and promising – the music industry was in the hands of Amyl and the Sniffers that night and trust me when I tell you it was safe.
- written by Hope Morgan
More photos from the concert.
