A packed out LVL5 completely came alive with raw power as Amyl and The Sniffers offered up a snarling aural liberation of un-filtered Aussie proto punk rock to the RCC.

Formed in Balaclava, Victoria in 2016, Amyl and The Sniffers have swiftly become no strangers to the global music (and seldom fashion*) scene. Within just a few years since conception, Amyl and The Sniffers already boast a healthy portfolio of international supports and major festival slots worldwide, including; Falls festival, Splendour In The Grass, Gizzfest, Lowlands (Netherlands), All Points East (UK), Primavera (Spain), Sideways (Finland), Roskilde (Denmark) and also set to play Coachella (US) this coming April.

It was only imminent their frenetic, high-energy show would garner the attention of festival promoters around the world, and after catching them live, it’s easy to see why this band belongs on stage, in real life, in front of people.

As punters stood shoulder-to-shoulder waiting for the ‘Sharpie’ revivalists to take the stage, they were treated to local Adelaide new wave – post punk – electronica outfit The Condos – who objectively sounded like the bastard love child of John Maus, Joy Division and Kavinsky.

Busting out onto the stage with a roar from the crowd, all four mullets in full flex – Amyl and The Sniffers unapologetically heave tracks from their back catalogue and 2019 self-titled album at an eager room of beckoning appendages. Shooting finger gestures from lead singer Amy Taylor pump the air and coax the wailing skintight guitar riffs right into the welcoming ears of the adoring pit dwellers and beyond.

With fans so delighted by the fierce and fleeting set, it didn’t take long for Amyl and the Sniffers to be lured back out to stage by the repeated bellowing chants of “encore!” – giving the crowd a visceral dose and going out on a buzz, leaving the room in a sweaty satisfied haze.

Even when the floodlights go out, the party isn’t over for the chaotically pleasurable Melburnian rock stars. They could be found hanging out with fans post show, knocking back pints, and spinning nostalgic rock and heavy metal classics at the Crown and Anchor pub.

Three chords, blood sweat and Gucci billboards! Amyl and the Sniffers were a true RCC – Fringe festival highlight bringing in punters from far and wide exclusively to witness.

4 Stars

By Benjamin Kissell