The Philadelphia four-piece Sheer Mag opened the night with a fusion of classic rock ‘n’ roll and punk-inspired anthems. Frontwoman Christina Halladay boasted an impressive vocal range, effortlessly transitioning from gritty to soulful. Lead guitarist Kyle Seely’s melodic picking and precision paired effectively with Matt Palmer’s rhythm guitar.

By the end of their set, the crowd was warmed up and buzzing with anticipation. At this point, the sold-out venue was nearly shoulder-to-shoulder as fans eagerly awaited Amyl and the Sniffers.

When the lights finally cut out, the frenzy of applause said everything. The crowd erupted into a roar of chants and screams as the Australian four-piece made their way on stage.

“If anyone falls down, you help them up. Don’t touch anybody who does not want to be touched. Now get ready!” shouted lead vocalist Amy Taylor before launching headfirst into their set with an explosive rendition of “Control.”

The crowd immediately fed off of and returned the band’s exuberant energy. Taylor’s animated and charismatic stage presence encouraged moshers to let loose, setting off a chaotic push pit that endured the remainder of the evening. Just as instructed, anyone who went down was immediately helped back up.

“I think Amy has really good stage presence,” said Winter Meier, a longtime fan who attended the show. “I like her little dances. I think they’re really fun and unique to her.”

Guitarist Declan Mehrtens and bassist Gus Romer assisted with backing vocals, layering harmonies beneath Taylor’s raw lead. Mehrtens used technical solos and basic power chords, adding a bit of flair to the more simple punk style. Bryce Wilson’s precise and driving drumming style paired well with Romer’s melodic bass lines to create a strong punk rhythm section.

The crowd remained active throughout the band’s hourlong set. Attendees from the barricade to the bar line danced and jumped, singing along to hits such as “Big Dreams” and “Chewing Gum.” Security guards remained constantly busy at the front of the stage with a bountiful supply of crowd surfers.

Beneath the invigorating rhythms of the 2024 album Cartoon Darkness, Amyl and the Sniffers provided thoughtful societal commentaries true to the punk ethos. Tracks like “Jerkin’” and “Tiny Bikini” tackled themes of feminism and bodily autonomy, while “It’s Mine” offered a biting critique of consumer culture. Between songs, Taylor brought attention to these various social and political issues, earning roaring cheers from the crowd.

“People's hearts break every day when they check the news and see what is going on,” Taylor said. “It's been a changing world and it's super confusing and disorientating and so I just want to extend my support and love for not only trans people, black people, gay people, disabled people, women and men as well.”

Amyl and the Sniffers’s blend of electric energy and unapologetic resistance reaffirms that the spirit of punk is alive and well.

“She’s not just there for the music,” said Meier on the band’s political commentary. “She’s also empowering and a good person, which matters because there’s a lot of artists who don’t give a f—.”

Knowing Phoenix couldn’t get enough, Amyl and the Sniffers treated concert-goers to a two-song encore. Performing “Maggot” and “GFY,” the crowd had one last surge of energy and concluded the night in style before the band shared their thanks and headed offstage.

Amyl and the Sniffers performed at the first Coachella weekend in California on April 13 and will perform again this weekend on April 20.