No strangers to Sheffield, having recorded their debut album here with Ross Orton, Amyl and the Sniffers could have sold the Leadmill out twice over on the closing date of their EU/UK tour.
And it’s more than just the Sheff connection that’s pulled in the crowd; this year has seen them voraciously tearing up every venue and festival worth playing. They’ve more than proved the hype is real and it HAS to be witnessed.
Photography: Sahar Ghadirian
With the date being moved from a Tuesday to a Saturday evening, we were in for a full on punk rawk show with not one, but two supports.
Opening up the night of glorious sound were Piss Kitti, a feminist melodic punk, yet grunge-y band hailing from Liverpool.
Amyl also brought along Aussie mates C.O.F.F.I.N (that’s Children Of Finland Fighting in Norway). Formed waaay back in 2005 and based in Sydney, they have their own respectable sound, mixing punk, thrashy riffs and rock. They play a blisteringly fast punk and roll set featuring a lead vocalist drummer (kudos!) with plenty to call out on world matters of injustice, inequality and racism.
Photography: Sahar Ghadirian
With an eager crowd fully engaged and in the mood for more, Amyl emerges to the Vengaboys We Like to Party to deliver the main course.
Fearless Amy Taylor is a true Front Woman, emitting unwavering energy from the beginning to the end of their brash, near-hour-long set.
Her presence commands awestruck attention that the audience readily give. The relationship is undeniably symbiotic with Amy geeing things up with Its Saturday Night! early on in the set.
Photography: Sahar Ghadirian
Raucous yet tight, with an easy air of informality between songs, they catalogue a large chunk of their latest release Comfort to Me with self-titled album 2019 bangers such as Got You packed into the frenzy.
Pogoing and crowd surfing weren’t in short shrift from the whipped-up crowd. Particular highlights judging by anthemic sing-a-longs were Freaks to the Front, GFY and Security. Closing out with Hertz, it began to feel like a chaotic fever dream.
Photography: Sahar Ghadirian
10/10. Up there as one of the best live performances witnessed this year, which is saying something when you’ve been to more gigs than had hot dinners in the last 12 months.
Words: Kate Beer
Photography: Sahar Ghadirian
