Who are Amyl and The Sniffers? At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, their self-titled debut record won the ‘Best Rock Album’ category.
And since then, this Melbourne-based band has rocketed into international stardom.
And guess what? They're coming to Meeniyan. No kidding.
Maybe they’ll blow the roof off the old hall. No!
It’s all part of the State Government’s ‘Always Live’ program and Meeniyan is on the list.
Amyl and the Sniffers will perform with Dumb Punts in Meeniyan on November 24, 2023, on their way to Ballarat, Frankston, Warrnambool, Torquay and Wodonga as part of Always Live.
But get this, they arrive in Meeniyan for their welcome home to Australia show after a ridiculous overseas schedule which kicks off in Scotland tonight (August 22, 2023) and continues on to Paris, London, Lisbon, Bordeaux, Bristol, Tokyo and then on to every dam city in the USA, including Atlanta, Dallas, St Louis, Chicago and Pittsburgh.
Right before they leave for Meeniyan (if you don’t mind!), they’ll have their final American gigs in Philadelphia on November 3 and Boston on November 4.
It’s an absolute coup for Meeniyan to be (1) on the Always Live program, (2) to be kicking off the whole shebang on November 24 and (3) to be hosting one of the hottest new bands in Australia on their return home.
Lyrebird Arts Council empresario, Rod Murray, is delighted at the prominence given to the iconic old Meeniyan Hall as part of the statewide performance initiative.
“Lyrebird Arts Council are chuffed to present Amyl and the Sniffers at the Meeniyan Town Hall as part of the Always Live program on November 24,” said Rod Murray today.
“Meeniyan will be the first show of the Australian tour and we are grateful to be able to provide a great regional space for the band and punters alike.”
Check out their upcoming events at: https://lyrebirdartscouncil.com.au/upcoming-events/
About Always Live
Local and international superstars are set to headline Victoria’s biggest celebration of live music, as the State Government today (August 22) unveiled the first tranche of artists for the 2023 Always Live program.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos joined Always Live Director Matt Gudinski to unveil the program, which will see Christina Aguilera, Eric Prydz, Peter Garrett and Jessie Ware packing out venues across the city, suburbs and regions from November 24 to December 10.
The inaugural Always Live in 2022 delivered more than $80 million to the Victorian economy, attracting thousands of visitors to the nation’s home of live music.
So far, this year's program features more than 60 events over 17 days including stadium shows, exclusive gigs, and intimate performances from more than 165 artists – with more announcements to come.
The opening weekend will kick off with a bang when six-time Grammy Award-winning artist Christina Aguilera performs for one night only at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, November 25.
Swedish DJ and Producer Eric Prydz will attract electronic music lovers from across Australia and New Zealand for an exclusive show at Rod Laver Arena, as he delivers his internationally acclaimed 3D visual show, HOLO.
Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett and his band The Alter Egos will play at the Wangaratta Arts Centre, and Cosmic Psychos will celebrate their 40th anniversary over three nights at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal.
Inclusive outdoor music festival Summer Camp will return, headlined by UK disco queen Jessie Ware and US musician and drag powerhouse DJ Trixie Mattel, alongside other events across the suburbs.
Curated by Tones and I, Music In the Park will feature local superstars The Cat Empire, The Veronicas, Budjerah, KAIIT, The Pierce Brothers and more together at Mornington Park for a day-long festival for the whole family.
Amyl and the Sniffers will perform with Dumb Punts in Meeniyan, Ballarat, Frankston, Warrnambool, Torquay, Wodonga and Thornbury with local artists given the chance to open each show.
Always Live delivers on the promises the Labor Government made to Victorians at the 2018 and 2022 elections – and is backed by $20 million in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to continue to secure the biggest international and local acts across the state.
The Budget also included $7.5 million for the Live Music Performers Fund, which backs thousands of Victorian musicians and artists to pack venues across the state and perform 10,000 gigs over the next four years.
The program of free and ticketed events is available at alwayslive.com.au, with huge additional acts to be announced in the coming months.
“Always Live’s 2023 program offers something for everyone,” Premier Andrews said today.
“It’s set to fill venues across Victoria, attract visitors and boost business while celebrating our state’s outstanding music and events industry.”
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos was equally delighted with the lineup.
“We’re supporting this epic statewide music festival to deliver unforgettable events and unique experiences that can only be found in the live music capital – Victoria.”
Director Matt Gudinski said the music was coming “home” to Melbourne.
“An event like Always Live is what makes our great city what it is. The Always Live program ensures Victoria remains the music capital of Australia and will deliver a host of unique and exclusive experiences across 17 days.”
And the Sniffers, what about them?
Following their debut album in 2019, Amyl and the Sniffers announced their second studio album ‘Comfort to Me’ in July 2021, alongside lead single ‘Guided by Angels’.
Later in July, the band released another single, ‘Security’. Three days prior to the release of the album the band released a final single, ‘Hertz’, alongside a complementary music video.
‘The full ‘Comfort to Me’ album was initially scheduled for release in early October 2021 but was pushed up and released on September 10 and then boom, COVID.
In June and July 2022, the band opened for Weezer, Fall Out Boy and Green Day on the European leg of the Hella Mega Tour and in April 2023, the band toured with The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction.
Check Amyl and the Sniffers out at https://youtu.be/wOob4gbiTrk
