Amyl and the Sniffers – Palace Theater – St. Paul MN – May 7th 2025

Radio K Presents Amyl and the Sniffers live at The Palace Theater in St. Paul Minnesota with special guests Sheer Mag on May 7th 2025

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Sheer Mag’s live show is a full-force blast of unfiltered energy and raw rock ‘n’ roll spirit. From the moment they take the stage, there’s no pretense—just gritty, guitar-driven power with a vintage flair. The band leans into their signature mix of punk defiance and classic rock riffs, evoking a 1970s bar band that somehow time-traveled into the present with all the urgency intact.

Front woman Tina Halladay is the undeniable focal point. Her raspy, commanding vocals cut through the guitar haze like a battle cry, and she performs with the stance and snarl of someone who’s not asking for your attention—she’s already got it. There’s very little banter between songs; the band prefers to let the music do the talking, and when they launch into crowd favorites like “Fan the Flames” or “Expect the Bayonet,” the audience knows exactly what to do—scream every word.

Guitarists Kyle Seely and Matt Palmer bring crunchy, Thin Lizzy-esque riffs that toe the line between punk aggression and hard rock swagger. The rhythm section keeps things tight and relentless, making sure there’s no lull in momentum. Even their newer material, often more melodic or politically charged, fits seamlessly into the set.

The crowd is usually a blend of punk heads, classic rock aficionados, and leftist punks shouting along in solidarity. The vibe is inclusive, cathartic, and just a bit sweaty—a perfect storm for the kind of communal release that rock shows should offer.

Verdict:
If you want slick production and polished banter, look elsewhere. But if you’re down for a sweaty, soul-shaking, riff-heavy night that channels everything raw and righteous about rock music, Sheer Mag will not disappoint.

Walking into an Amyl and the Sniffers show is like stepping into a sonic riot. The air is charged, the crowd’s already twitching, and then Amy Taylor storms the stage — a whirlwind in sneakers and a sports bra, spitting lyrics like venom and grinning like a maniac. From that moment, you’re not watching a show; you’re surviving one.

The band wastes no time. Guitars come in loud and jagged, drums pound like a bar fight breaking out, and Amy launches into tracks like “Security” and “Got You” with the kind of raw intensity that doesn’t just demand your attention—it grabs you by the collar and dares you to look away. Her presence is half punk rock preacher, half feral street fighter. She’s got the moves of Iggy Pop, the attitude of Wendy O. Williams, and the crowd in the palm of her hand.

Behind her, the band is tight and furious. The guitar tone is sharp and scuzzy, the bassline drives every song forward like a runaway train, and the drummer is a machine that doesn’t know how to quit. There’s a chaos to it all, but it’s intentional — like every song is a grenade with the pin halfway pulled.

There’s not a lot of deep stage production — no elaborate lights, no backdrops — just pure punk spirit, sweat, and speed. Crowd surfing is common, the pit is wild but friendly, and the energy never dips below “adrenaline overdose.”

Verdict:
Amyl and the Sniffers live is not about subtlety or perfection — it’s about power, personality, and pure punk catharsis. If you’re not dancing, screaming, or sweating, you’re in the wrong room. And if you’re lucky, you leave the venue a little bruised and completely converted.