Amyl and the Sniffers, Albert Hall. 31st May 2022

Welcome to Albert Hall. I love this building and was supposed to be back in here in a couple of nights for The Smile. They’ve changed the venue though and think I know why. They suspect that Amyl and the Sniffers are gonna destroy it! Last time I saw this lot, it was jam packed in the Deaf Institute. Tonight they’ve achieved the same in here. We’re the proverbial powder keg and the band are itching to light us up. We’re a few songs in before I catch my breath. They arrive with a bang and Do. Not. Stop! Amy’s an absolute monster. Tongue out between vitriolic lyrics. Goading the crowd to go harder. “This one’s a love song” introduces ‘Maggots’, a song with all the loving tenderness of a sledgehammer to the heart. ‘I’m Not a Loser’ is one of only a couple from the debut album. The newer songs pack more punch, like ‘Security’ that turns what feels like the entire floor into a seething pit. It’s followed by ‘Choices’ and anyone holding a drink gives up as they’re all launched into the air. ‘Gacked on Anger’ has the security looking slightly terrified as limbs from crowd surfers hurtle towards them. ‘Guided by Angels’ sounds absolutely massive, pushing the speakers over the edge as Amy screams “I’ve got plenty of energy”, no shit!! Mercifully they follow with ‘Knifey’, probably the slowest song in the set. It’s not exactly a ballad though, these Aussie punks don’t really do calm and tranquil. After just under an hour they close with ’Hertz’, “Do ya love me‽, I think it’s pretty clear that Manchester does. Albert Hall survives… but only just.