The Wombats returned to Melbourne last night for a joy filled evening at Festival Hall.
The Wombats lead singer Matthew Murphy and I have shared a special bond since someone threw my jumper at his face almost twenty years ago at a venue in Blackpool (of all places). Not sure he’s aware of our special bond, but trust me it’s there.
Anyway, there was a little moment for me during the gig – well there were a couple actually – as I was stood there listening to a few thousand people chanting “This is no Bridget Jones” at the top of their voice that I wondered if Murph or I ever thought 20 years ago, when my jumper hit him in the face, ( before a good portion of this current audience was born btw) that this is what our lives would look like now.
(The second was that we both cried at hearing Champagne Supernova live. I talk about that here – actually I don’t because I felt like a tw*t, so thanks Murph for making me feel brave enough to talk about it)
Anyway, on to show. I feel like Wombat’s shows have become something of a well-oiled machine at this point. We’re waiting for the moment we know will happen. They’re like a comfort band. While they’ve innovated and changed their musical style they’re still fundamentally the same band they were two decades ago. And whether it’s that favourite track or waiting for the Wombat playing the trombone to emerge – you know what you’re in for and that’s why you love them.
The setlist was excellent. A well-crafted mix of favourites from their back catalogue and a strong smattering of new tracks from their latest album, Oh The Ocean. I was thrilled 1996 was back in the set list and I intend to take full credit for this due to complaining so much about it being missing last time (and obvs due to that aforementioned special bond we share). They also know how to pace the set well, allowing us breathers from the fast-pace tracks and scattering the most popular tunes throughout the evening.
Murph’s voice was in good form. I listened back to the album this morning and it honestly sounded better live last night than it did on those studio tracks. It soared easily over the guitars and in a venue like Festival Hall, where the sound isn’t amazing, that’s no mean feat (although to give the venue credit, it was better than it’s been in the past). The set was a bit stop start at times and I couldn’t tell if that was due to an issue or because they were just in a chatty mood – but either way they carried it off well.
Speaking of chatty, their banter was something else. That dry witted, unpretentious chatter that I think can only truly be delivered right with a northern English accent was actually what I came home talking about more than the music. I often think this band’s witticism is lost on some people, but I enjoyed it immensely and honestly think I’d probably pay money to just hear Murph and Dan chat shit for an hour.
It’s always interesting watching two different bands on back-to-back nights as it’s difficult not to compare. The ease of the Wombats on stage, the perfection of the set list, even the pace of the tour dates just reflect the years of experience these guys now have in the industry. It was a pleasure dancing to Joy Division with you in my 20’s and it’s a pleasure crying our way into our 40’s together. I don’t say this enough to bands I love, but thank you for the lifetime of memories (f**ks sakes now I’m crying again).