The Wombats unleashed 18 years of absolute bangers on frenzied the O2 arena but whatever you do, don’t mistake the band as nostalgia merchants.
Although best known for their noughties anthems of Moving to New York and Dance to Joy Division, to name but a few, the band has continued to release a steady stream of albums – each dotted with hits in their own right.
That goes some way, at least, in explaining why the crowd wasn’t just thousands of 30-somethings wanting to feel like teens again. Since bursting onto the scene at the very pinnacle of indie pop, the trio from Liverpool have proven to be consistent in making feel-good sing along tunes composed of nonsensical lyrics.
(Image: Charles Wadepalmer)
Following the suitably energetic Everything Everything, The Wombats kicked off with the first track of their latest album Oh! The Ocean. And given my rush to North Greenwich from London Stansted Airport, I couldn’t help but feel it was a touch pointed.
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come, was of course not reflective of my mood on arrival, it did however set the tone for the night ahead; emphatic joyous music sung back to the band by those in the stalls and seats alike.
Unlike other groups of the genre who first topped charts at the same time as The Wombats’ breakthrough, the band has never really attempted to change its sound.
The result is reeling off more new music like Can’t Say No and I Love America And She Hates Me, without sending masses for a toilet break. Perhaps the slow and moody Kate Moss was an exception to the rule.
(Image: Charles Wadepalmer)
Sitting down didn’t last long thanks to the first note of the aforementioned Moving to New York, and having spent half the day onboard a Ryanair flight I was only too pleased to oblige.
A third of the arena may not have been out of their nappies when album A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation peaked at 11th in the Official UK Charts but that didn’t stop the first of ever-growing mosh pit(s), which lead singer, Matthew Murphy, firmly backed towards the end of the night.
When told Dance to Joy Division was the hush, hush, wink, wink final song I questioned what could possibly follow it, with dozens of balloons still holstered to the ceiling in netting. But of course with a backlog as long as theirs, it’s easy to forget there’s always more. Then came my favourite song of the band’s, Turn which sounded even sweeter than Techno Fan eight years its senior.
The Wombats take their show to Europe this weekend after wrapping up in Glasgow and Leeds respectively.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
