Amyl and The Sniffers: York Hall, London – live review

Amyl and The Sniffers
York Hall, London
17th November 2022

There’s nothing but ‘big-dick-energy’ coming from Amyl and The Sniffers as tits and mullets take over Bethnal Green’s weirdest venue. The Australian wreck-heads are a four piece, but I’m going to describe them as a five piece because I count Amy Taylor’s permanently out tongue as their fifth member. So… the five piece take to York Hall in Bethnal Green and play in true boxing-match style.

York Hall is a weird choice as a venue, not gonna lie. But if any band can pull-off playing in a boxing ring in the middle of a hall, why not get these sweaty Aussies to do it? There’s a stupidly large amount of security in comparison to the amount of people in the room and the bar situation SUCKS. We queue for ages due to the tiny bar and you can only imagine everyone’s horror when I order 11 pints, two rum and cokes, a vodka lemonade and a wine, making everyone around me miss the first two songs of the set (but don’t worry- I wasn’t paying for these drinks). The bar also shuts about 40 minutes before the set finishes which is pretty annoying. Or maybe they just didn’t want me going back? Hmmm.

Regardless, the beer was nice.

An announcement booms across the room asking everyone to spread themselves around the tiny boxing block soon to be the band’s stage. I’m firmly planted in front of guitarist Dec Martens (yes, because I fancy the pants off of him) as Amy runs in circles eyeing up everyone in the room. She’s wrapped in high-vis tape projecting nothing but strength and power and the other members seem to lose items of clothes as the set goes on. Every move is made with conviction and a ‘clumsy’ portrayal, whilst the guitar playing is deceptively good for someone in a punk band.

I thank the Amyl gods for wireless microphones as Amy doesn’t stay still for one second. Thrusting, ass-wiggling and head banging, her moves are distinguishable and confident, encouraging women in the room to embrace their free side (highlighted by tops being removed and tits being shaken around). It’s like Amy is a wind up toy that you’ve wound up too tightly. A ball of energy letting it all out in any way possible inspiring people to do the same. Sitting on the shoulders of some bloke, she is paraded around the venue at full speed like a bull looking for a red flag. Everything about them is rocket fuel. Amyl and The Sniffers are like speed, mixed with poppers, mixed with viagra and finished off with a banging headache. It’s great fun.

Playing favourites such as Knifey, Guided by Angels and Hertz, it shows how much this band are loved here in the UK. The Australian punk scene at the moment is probably the most exciting (in my opinion). My point is proven with acts such as CLAMM, Stiff Richards, Alien Nosejob, Rot TV and The Chats (there are more but these are highlights). But Amyl and The Sniffers seem to be part of the catalyst for these bands finding their way into my life. So thanks to them for that.

Amyl and The Sniffers are the kinda people you wouldn’t wanna kick out your pub. They will scrawl across your walls, sniff lines off the bar and then neck a pint whilst using your shirt to wipe their mouth after. With tongues permanently out, eyes popping out their heads and an attitude that tells you to ‘go fuck yourself’, Amyl and The Sniffers are your gateway drug to a good time.

Listen to Amyl and The Sniffers here. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter

All words by Jazz Hodge. More writing by Jazz can be found in her author’s archive.

All photos © Paul Grace. For more of Paul’s writing and photos go to his archive. Paul is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and his websites are www.paulgrace-eventphotos.co.uk & www.pgrace.co.uk

Source: louderthanwar.com