The Entertainment Centre played host to indie-rock trio The Wombats on Thursday night. Despite the bitter cold, an array of dedicated fans lined up outside the theatre to secure a premium spot.
Fellow Liverpool band Circa Waves opened the show, making it a ‘local’ affair. They garnered an enthusiastic welcome, as their irresistible beats drew the audience towards the stage.
“It’s amazing to come so far from home and always be treated so well,” they said with fervour.
It was standing room only as the crowd pressed in towards the stage with an ever-growing thrum of anticipation. There was no room left for personal space by the time The Wombats were due to start. By 9:01pm they began a chant of excitement: “Wombats! Wombats!”
The band performed with passion but spared little time for stage-side banter. They began their first song, Your Body is a Weapon, without introduction. They needed none with this audience, who sang along with an echoing chorus.
Bass player Tord Øverland Knudsen bounced around every corner of the stage with joyful energy, smiling at the audience as he played. Lead singer Matthew Murphy and drummer Daniel Haggis were reserved by comparison, though still played with a passionate abandon.
The line-up included a generous sample of classic songs, including Moving to New York, 1996, and Techno Fan. Murphy commented on the latter in a quiet, self-conscious tone: “That’s probably the best song yet.” Of course they also showcased songs from their new album, Glitterbug. The crowd greeted these songs, such as Greek Tragedy and Headspace, with the same intense enthusiasm they reserved for fan favourites.
Mid-way through the show, Murphy asked conversationally: “So, Adelaide, where’s a good place to go on a Thursday night? We’ve got a very early flight tomorrow morning to Chicago and we’re debating whether it’s worth going to sleep.” Whether they found anywhere open at midnight on a weekday remains a mystery.
The Wombats played for ninety minutes straight. Stagehands were seen running on and off to adjust microphones, offer freshly tuned guitars, and provide an endless supply of frothy beers for the performers. They ended with the perfect song, Let’s Dance to Joy Division. As the band walked off stage they thanked the audience with sincerity, Haggis throwing his drum sticks into the crowd.
Reviewed by Nicola Woolford
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