The Wombats in Sydney – review and photos
The Wombats played at Sydney Opera House this month. We sent reviewer Chloe Davis-Powell and photographer Adam Davis-Powell along to capture the magic:
Immediately filling the venue with the sound of ‘Moving To New York,’ every person rose to their feet from the recently remodelled Concert Hall inside of Sydney Opera House. With close to one hundred million streams for this song of theirs alone on Spotify, the jets of sparklers that burst from the stage at the song’s crescendo certainly felt appropriate as an epic mood setter for the next hour-and-a-half set.
The Wombats are now in their late thirties, and one of the longest lasting bands from the mid-2000s British guitar rock revival.
When their debut record came out all the way back in November 2007, many saw them as another blip in that era’s unending wave of uptempo British guitar rock with a limited shelf life. But another sell-out Aussie Tour ending at Sydney Opera House tells a very different story. One where Australia became a spiritual home for the Liverpool group.
Perhaps one reason their fans are so loyal and diverse in Australia is the way that they have always masterfully embraced an alternative pop sound that sits gently on the edge of the mainstream – with a strong punch of fun-fuck-you attitude. The interweaved touches of electronica means big bold catchy anthems have never been outside of their wheelhouse, as we hear “Let’s Dance To Joy Division” and “Kill the Director” accompanied by stunning pyrotechnics and polished movements we are reminded, these boys have and will always be here to stay.
We were treated to the renowned Wombat mascot busting out a trombone solo for the end of ‘Ready For The High’, followed by lead singer Murph’s solo rendition of ‘Lethal Combination’ with phone lights lit like fairies across the staggered venue.
A careful slow to the end of the song turned surprisingly into a wild introduction of ‘Tokyo (Vampires And Wolves)’, prompting cheers and a collective nostalgic warmth filling the auditorium.
With a set list that was beautifully paced, The Wombats squeezed in all their hits to make it feel like a truly special night out. The last show of their Australia tour, Matthew Murphy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Tord Øverland Knudsen (bass, backing vocals, keyboards), and Dan Haggis (drums, backing vocals, keyboards) were on top form with energetic dance moves, huge riffs great stage banter – even laughing about slipping over on stage at one point and claiming that ‘death at The Opera House’ would be the ultimate way to go.
If Tord’s smile wasn’t enough to display the sheer enthusiasm of the band, the laughing affirmations and ecstatic response of the crowd from beginning to end certainly was.
Words by Chloe Davis-Powell. Photos by Adam Davis-Powell.
