On a hot’n’sweaty Tuesday night (August 13th), The Sound got soaked in an electrifying night of female-forward punk rock with Lambrini Girls opening for Amyl and the Sniffers. Like most venues this size, barriers prevented any serious stagediving, but the solidly punk rock bill would put The Sound’s pit to the test, while enthusiastic crowd surfers kept security hopping making sure no one got dumped unceremoniously over the rail. The balcony and seated areas contentedly bopped, safe from the maelstrom, but very few of the attendees on the floor left with dry shirts though the all had perma-grins plastered wide from ear to ear.
Lambrini Girls set the stage ablaze with their powerful political performance, an essential element often missing from today’s punk rock. Tackling pressing social issues with fierceness, they captivated the audience from the very first snarl. Calling out UK politicians, toxic masculinity in their local Brighton scene, and all sorts of things people hate (sorry Bradley’s mum!), the band’s raw passion and conviction resonated throughout the venue, igniting a sense of urgency in their message that had the crowd fully invested, even gleefully creating a dreaded Wall of Death in the pit.
With no wasted time, Amyl and the Sniffer’s pint-sized powerhouse frontwoman, Amy Taylor, provided the now-familiar greeting and instructions (“if somebody falls down, pick ’em up, and don’t touch anybody that doesn’t wanna be touched!”) and the Sniffers took off. Known for their high-octane performances, they did not disappoint and Amy proved once again why she is revered as the queen of punk. The crowd gave as good as the got, transforming Amyl and the Sniffer’s raw energy into cathartic, frenetic, joyous movement. Amy never had any need to hype up the already rowdy-but-respectful crowd and the pit never ceased. Fans experienced total immersion, living every moment as they danced, jumped, and sang along to each track. Amyl and the Sniffers delivered a relentless set that showcased their signature sound, leaving the audience breathless and craving more.
The combination of The Lambrini Girls’ thought-provoking performance and Amyl and the Sniffers’ energetic show made for an unforgettable night, filled with passion, intensity, and a shared love for music. Any doubts about how The Sound would handle such a massive punk rock outing were quelled, with security managing to delicately balance fun and safety while letting the crowd celebrate the future of punk culture.
