On May 21, 2025, The Ritz in Raleigh exploded with sound and sweat as Amyl and The Sniffers brought their Cartoon Darkness Tour roaring into town. The tour—named after their October 2024 album Cartoon Darkness—hits 23 stops across the U.S. and Canada, diving deep into working-class rage, alienation, and a razor-edged sense of personal rebellion. Lighting for the tour was handled by Lightwave Productions, whose sharp strobe sequences and filthy neon palettes gave every breakdown and scream the twisted glow it deserved. The crowd at The Ritz was locked in from the moment the lights dropped, a room packed with ecstatic bodies already primed by word-of-mouth: this tour hits hard. And it did.

Amyl and The Sniffers, hailing from Melbourne, gave Raleigh more than a show—they detonated it. Frontwoman Amy Taylor was a wrecking ball of charisma, snarling through Guided By Angels and Freaks to the Front like she had a vendetta against the air itself. Guitarist Dec Mehrtens blasted walls of sound, Bryce Wilson’s drumming was tightly coiled chaos, and Gus Romer held the floor down with bass lines that bruised. This wasn’t some polished arena act—this was real, reckless punk rock with a pulse you could feel in your ribs. Fans roared for every song and went nuclear for the surprise encore of Some Mutts (Can’t Be Muzzled)—a deep cut that hadn’t been played live in nearly a year. The band’s merch table was swarmed post-show, with fans grabbing limited vinyl pressings of Cartoon Darkness and grimy, anti-fashion t-shirts. Check their official site at amylandthesniffers.com.

Amyl and The Sniffers

Opening the night was Philly’s Sheer Mag, bringing their signature blend of power-pop guitar solos and street-level punk vocals. Christina Halladay’s voice was all heart and grit, while lead guitarist Kyle Seely and rhythm guitarist Matt Palmer delivered sharp, tight riffs that kept the room wired. Bassist Hart Seely and touring drummer Evan Campbell locked into a groove that gave tracks like Playing Favorites and Expect the Bayonet all the muscle they needed. Their new album Playing Favorites (2024) is a jagged step forward in both songwriting and sound. Known for staying close to their DIY roots, Sheer Mag continues to champion social causes like housing rights and prison abolition, and their support of grassroots fundraising has earned them respect outside the usual music circles. Their official site is sheermag.bandcamp.com, where fans can pick up their latest music and merch.

Sheer Mag

Let’s not forget The Ritz staff!