Amyl and the Sniffers transform a canceled concert into a huge $35k bar crawl

Amil and the Sniffers Pivot Their Melbourne Show into a Bar-Hopping Event

Amil and the Sniffers, the Australian pub rock band, made a last-minute change to their plans for a Melbourne concert, transforming it into an exciting bar-hopping experience for fans throughout the city, all at no cost to them.

The Grammy-nominated group was set to perform a free show at Federation Square on November 14, but concerns over potential overcrowding and safety led to the event’s cancellation. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported the issues of crowd control prompted this decision.

As soon as the cancellation announcement echoed through the square, thousands of fans had already gathered, eager to see Amil and the Sniffers, who are currently the opening act for AC/DC’s world tour.

Katrina Sedgwick, the chief executive of the Melbourne Arts Post Corporation, stated that the cancellation was due to “multiple breaches of the perimeter fence” which posed serious risks to the crowd. She emphasized that it was a tough call to make.

In a spirited response to the change, the band quickly took to social media to rally fans for a night out, urging them to visit seven local pubs with bar tabs totaling $35,000.

Frontwoman Amy Taylor expressed her disappointment in an Instagram video, saying, “I’m really disappointed that I couldn’t perform… It’s a shame that I can’t play for free in my hometown.” She added, “Let’s have a drink AC/DC style. Just have some fun tonight.”

The participating bars—the Tote, The Curtin, The Old Bar, Labor in Vain, Hell’s Kitchen, Last Chance Rock ‘n’ Roll Bar, and Cherry Bar—each received a $5,000 tab, quickly filling with enthusiastic patrons.

Insiders shared that the venues were bustling with packed crowds and long lines, with generous tabs running dry shortly after the announcement.

This bar crawl is quite a fitting turn for Amil and the Sniffers, who are having a remarkable year. Their 2024 hit, “Cartoon Darkness,” reached number 2 on Australia’s ARIA Album Chart and made it into the UK Top 10. They also recently performed at a sold-out show in London’s massive Alexandra Palace.