Amyl and The Sniffers have turned a cancelled gig into an unforgettable night for Melbourne's live-music community. The Aussie rockers were set to perform at Federation Square but the show was shut down minutes before they took the stage due to security breaches.
However, instead of letting the night end there, frontwoman Amy Taylor posted a video explaining the cancellation and announced that the band would give the money back to local venues that helped launch their career. The gesture quickly grew into a AU$35,000 bar tab shared across some of the city's most beloved rooms.
The decision to redirect the AU$5,000 performance fee was made by the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation citing risks to the audience, staff, and the band. Fans watching the livestream were stunned as the plug was pulled just eight minutes before showtime.
Taylor announced in a video that "have a drink on us" and just have some fun tonight." Several venues reported packed rooms with fans flocked from across the city after the news spread on social media.
The gesture underlines the deep roots Amyl and The Sniffers maintain in Melbourne's grassroots scene, even as their profile accelerates worldwide. For many fans who raced between venues to claim a drink, the night became an instant chapter in the city's music mythology – a chaotic, communal celebration born from a disappointment that could have easily overshadowed a landmark homecoming.
The band has been on a meteoric rise this year with their 2024 album Cartoon Darkness debuting at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and later landing in the UK top 10. They've also collected major honors at the 2025 AIR Awards, including Independent Album of the Year and Best Independent Punk Album or EP.
Their international momentum has accelerated too, with a Grammy nomination earlier this year and nominations for International Group of the Year at the Brit Awards. The band is set to join AC/DC for a run of Australian stadium dates in November, cementing a milestone for a band that cut its teeth in the same small rooms they helped support on Friday night.
However, instead of letting the night end there, frontwoman Amy Taylor posted a video explaining the cancellation and announced that the band would give the money back to local venues that helped launch their career. The gesture quickly grew into a AU$35,000 bar tab shared across some of the city's most beloved rooms.
The decision to redirect the AU$5,000 performance fee was made by the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation citing risks to the audience, staff, and the band. Fans watching the livestream were stunned as the plug was pulled just eight minutes before showtime.
Taylor announced in a video that "have a drink on us" and just have some fun tonight." Several venues reported packed rooms with fans flocked from across the city after the news spread on social media.
The gesture underlines the deep roots Amyl and The Sniffers maintain in Melbourne's grassroots scene, even as their profile accelerates worldwide. For many fans who raced between venues to claim a drink, the night became an instant chapter in the city's music mythology – a chaotic, communal celebration born from a disappointment that could have easily overshadowed a landmark homecoming.
The band has been on a meteoric rise this year with their 2024 album Cartoon Darkness debuting at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and later landing in the UK top 10. They've also collected major honors at the 2025 AIR Awards, including Independent Album of the Year and Best Independent Punk Album or EP.
Their international momentum has accelerated too, with a Grammy nomination earlier this year and nominations for International Group of the Year at the Brit Awards. The band is set to join AC/DC for a run of Australian stadium dates in November, cementing a milestone for a band that cut its teeth in the same small rooms they helped support on Friday night.
! they literally took a major risk by giving back to the community after their show got cancelled but it ended up being a total win for everyone involved 
. i mean, $35k bar tab? that's crazy generous! 
and the fact that fans were still stoked and showed up at all those venues is just testament to how much love they have for these Aussie rockers 
. what a way to turn disappointment into a night to remember 
. instead they just showed everyone what it means to be part of this community - sharing their own money with us, no questions asked 
. reminds me of when bands like the johnny thunders used to play tiny shows in new york and take care of the whole club after the show. those were the days... and now we're seeing a similar vibe from amy l and the sniffers here in melbourne 
. it's wild to think about how much their music has taken off this year - i mean, who would've thought they'd be rubbing shoulders with acdc on stadium dates? 
i'm so impressed by her kindness and generosity. and can we talk about how this just shows how much amyl & the sniffers mean to melbourne? they're literally grassroots royalty 
their music is making waves globally, but at the end of the day, it's all about giving back to the community that supported them from the start. love it 
! I mean, canceling a gig due to security breaches is all well and good but letting the fans have a drink on them was pure genius 
. It's like they took a potential bummer situation and turned it into a wild party that'll be talked about for ages 
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. I've been listening to Cartoon Darkness nonstop since it came out and I can see why they're taking over the world 
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The grassroots scene in Melbourne is so strong, and this just shows how much love the band has for their city. 
by giving back like this 
The Sniffers are more than just a band, they're a symbol of what live music should be – raw, genuine, and full of heart 
And now they've got a whole city of fans coming together in one giant party – it's like the ultimate DIY spirit! 
. Can't wait for their Aussie stadium dates in Nov 
!
omg can u believe those security freaks ruined an epic gig for us! but amyl and the sniffers being their legendary selves turned it into an unforgettable night lol. like, who needs a stage when u got the whole city to party? 
total class move from amy taylor!