The Wombats - Perth, 23rd July 2015
Words: Todd Lockley
At 6pm on a school night you wouldn't expect to see much life around the outskirts of the Metro City complex. C’mon, it's Perth - it's too expensive and it’s the middle of winter. Surely the masses would be home, rugged up enjoying the crying ladies of Masterchef or perhaps another nobody butchering Sia on The Voice. However, the Splendour musical gods had dealt Perth a midweek doozy. The Wombats, the best thing to happen to English pop rock in a long time, had come to shake things up and the kids were lining up hours before doors opened for what would be an amazing night of synth driven bliss, fist pumping fury and a whole fuck-load of fun.
Getting their groove on early was Perth’s Mt Mountain, who played a tight, mainly instrumental jam session that kept the same minimal tempo from entry to exit. They seemed a little overwhelmed by the capacity Metro City crowd, which was heaving at the seams by the time the band took a few phone selfies and wandered off stage.
A rapturous crowd greeted the Liverpudlian three-piece as they strolled onto centre stage. Armed with their music makers and bouncing into Your Body Is A Weapon, the distinct smell of weed wafted through throbbing dancefloor. Lead man and birthday boy, Matthew Murphy swaggered a swift "Thank you!" as Jump Into The Fog was unleashed and the vibe of pure musical bliss could be felt all around, the ever-relevant fog machines adding to the mystique of an epileptic light show.
Moving To New York ended with a crowd lead Happy Birthday sing along to Murphy, and bass player Tord Nudsen who was celebrating his birthday the following day. The vibe escalated with more recent single Greek Tragedy. The Wombats are one talented band, as Murphy and Nudsen juggled bass, guitar and keyboards to produce a smashing rendition of the nostalgia driven 1996 - Nudgen asking "Can you feel that Perth?" as his bass rumbled freely through every single body in attendance.
Getting their groove on early was Perth’s Mt Mountain, who played a tight, mainly instrumental jam session that kept the same minimal tempo from entry to exit. They seemed a little overwhelmed by the capacity Metro City crowd, which was heaving at the seams by the time the band took a few phone selfies and wandered off stage.
A rapturous crowd greeted the Liverpudlian three-piece as they strolled onto centre stage. Armed with their music makers and bouncing into Your Body Is A Weapon, the distinct smell of weed wafted through throbbing dancefloor. Lead man and birthday boy, Matthew Murphy swaggered a swift "Thank you!" as Jump Into The Fog was unleashed and the vibe of pure musical bliss could be felt all around, the ever-relevant fog machines adding to the mystique of an epileptic light show.
Moving To New York ended with a crowd lead Happy Birthday sing along to Murphy, and bass player Tord Nudsen who was celebrating his birthday the following day. The vibe escalated with more recent single Greek Tragedy. The Wombats are one talented band, as Murphy and Nudsen juggled bass, guitar and keyboards to produce a smashing rendition of the nostalgia driven 1996 - Nudgen asking "Can you feel that Perth?" as his bass rumbled freely through every single body in attendance.
A shout-out of "This ones for our crazy Perth friends" could only spell This Is Not A Party and just like the song says, it was not a party - it was a hurricane! A hurricane of flailing limbs and bouncing bodies from top to bottom, side to side. As Headspace finished, the lights went dim and a stage hand wandered on stage with a cake with lit candles for Murphy, a moment he seemed ever so delighted to spend with thousands of wonderful friends - lucky for Tord two candles stayed ignited and he got to make a wish too.
The level went up to eleven once again as Techno Fan had the jumpers and fist pumpers moistening their favourite gig shirts, the indescribable joy bubbled over as the band ditched the backing vocals to jump as one with the crowd. Words cannot describe how much fun this concert was. The mix of old and new shone through with Miss Pipe Dream adding a tender touch for the shoe gazers and die-hards.
The midi tapes swirled out the intro to the pop bliss of Give Me A Try before Murphy took it up a notch with that soaring vocal that preludes the chorus, kicking everyone’s sing-along button. Things then escalated into overdrive when Murphy teased, "This is our last song! Or is it?" and the roaring keys of Tokyo (Vampires And Wolves) had the all in attendance bouncing as one, yet again.
After barely enough time for punters to say "this show fucking rocks", the lads came back out and burst into Emoticons as once again stage hands and roadies handed out birthday cake to those lucky enough to be on the front row barrier. The Wombat lads offered up one more "Cheers" as all plastic cups in attendance were raised and the cheeky pop punk rock of Let's Dance To Joy Division rained supreme as the song everyone had came to hear.
Now usually, dancing to Let's Dance To Joy Division signals the end of the show for The Wombats but it was Mr Murphy's special day and he had one extra special birthday request/present to himself and treat for the Perth fans before exiting the stage; an instrumental all-in rockathon cover of Killing In The Name. As the drumsticks were thrown to the crowd and the boys said their final goodbyes, smiles and sighs of “awesome” could be heard all round. A tip-top night of immaculate pop had by all.
The level went up to eleven once again as Techno Fan had the jumpers and fist pumpers moistening their favourite gig shirts, the indescribable joy bubbled over as the band ditched the backing vocals to jump as one with the crowd. Words cannot describe how much fun this concert was. The mix of old and new shone through with Miss Pipe Dream adding a tender touch for the shoe gazers and die-hards.
The midi tapes swirled out the intro to the pop bliss of Give Me A Try before Murphy took it up a notch with that soaring vocal that preludes the chorus, kicking everyone’s sing-along button. Things then escalated into overdrive when Murphy teased, "This is our last song! Or is it?" and the roaring keys of Tokyo (Vampires And Wolves) had the all in attendance bouncing as one, yet again.
After barely enough time for punters to say "this show fucking rocks", the lads came back out and burst into Emoticons as once again stage hands and roadies handed out birthday cake to those lucky enough to be on the front row barrier. The Wombat lads offered up one more "Cheers" as all plastic cups in attendance were raised and the cheeky pop punk rock of Let's Dance To Joy Division rained supreme as the song everyone had came to hear.
Now usually, dancing to Let's Dance To Joy Division signals the end of the show for The Wombats but it was Mr Murphy's special day and he had one extra special birthday request/present to himself and treat for the Perth fans before exiting the stage; an instrumental all-in rockathon cover of Killing In The Name. As the drumsticks were thrown to the crowd and the boys said their final goodbyes, smiles and sighs of “awesome” could be heard all round. A tip-top night of immaculate pop had by all.