Emerging during the mid-00s, Liverpudlian trio The Wombats could have easily fallen into the depths of indie landfill, never to be seen again. But now almost 20 years into their career, they are arguably as strong as they have ever been, having just added sixth studio album Oh! The Ocean to their impressively consistent discography. Now embarking on a massive UK arena tour including the likes of the O2 Arena in London and OVO Hydro in Glasgow, the band swung by Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena to begin their biggest run of shows yet…
For us, however, tonight isn’t just about The Wombats. The bill for this evening’s show also boasts additional indie royalty in the form of Mancunian art-rockers Everything Everything. No strangers to Nottingham, the band have played our city four times in the last year off the back of their incredible seventh studio album, Mountainhead. It’s a creative peak that has also seen the band evolve into one of the best live bands around, simply getting better every time I see them. Tonight is no exception, with the band sounding utterly exquisite in the cavernous arena, to the point where you wouldn’t distinguish between this live performance and the studio recordings if they were played side by side.
While the setlist is only made up of tracks from three of their most recent records, it still plays out like a greatest hits show, as they joyously bounce between earworm singles such as Pizza Boy, Enter The Mirror, Cold Reactor and a particularly electric Distant Past. They close out as they always do on the disturbed euphoria of No Reptiles, which builds to an almighty swell around Jonathan Higgs’ inimitable vocals. A colossal opening set that proves Everything Everything deserve to be headlining these big rooms as well.
After a short break to catch our breath, we go back to the future with the sounds of Huey Lewis & The News’ The Power of Love ringing around the arena. The Wombats trio then emerge onto the stage, jumping straight into recent single Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come – perhaps a sentiment shared by some of the audience on a Tuesday evening after work. If it is they’ll soon change their mind, as frontman Murph may be without his signature flower guitar tonight, but is still bringing the vibes by sporting a snazzy T-shirt representing Britpop legends, Pulp. The stage is also adorned with a projector screen wrapped in some Wombat-style fur, which makes for a vibrant backdrop throughout the show, proving that the production doesn’t have to be excessive or expensive in order to be effective.
As the opening song finishes, I lean towards my partner and whisper “If I were them, I’d go for Moving To New York next”. It seems they indeed had the same idea, with the opening riff to Moving To New York instantly sending the arena into a frenzy. It begins a short string of hits, with the anthemic duo of Cheetah Tongue and Techno Fan just as joyous afterwards.
“Hi Nottingham – as far as I can tell, we’re still The Wombats!” says Murph, somewhat awkwardly greeting the audience for the first time. He then introduces Kate Moss, one of the best songs from their latest record Oh! The Ocean, before we get our first Wombat appearance of the night as one joins on trombone for Ready For The High. “We’re always cleaning up after that Wombat” jokes drummer Dan about the person in the suit, before Murph also questions the Wombat’s “wandering hands”. The band continue to roll through Oh! The Ocean cuts, with Can’t Say No and I Love America And She Hates Me played either side of older track, Pink Lemonade.
“I never thought I would see a f**king mosh pit to that song, so fair play Motorpoint Arena” says an impressed Dan, after a livelier than expected crowd for I Love America and She Hates Me. He then challenges the crowd to mosh pit to the next song which is acapella, debut album opener, Tales of Girls, Boys and Marsupials. Incredibly the moshers manage it, before the whole place then comes unglued for Kill The Director, with the entire audience belting out the iconic “This is no, Bridget Jones!” refrain.
The crowd get granted a short breather, with new song My Head Is Not My Friend leading into a wonderful solo acoustic performance by Murph of Lethal Combination, with the whole arena turning on their phone torches to create a beautiful visual. After another recent cut in the form of Blood On The Hospital Floor, it’s straight back to the classic anthems, with limbs galore for dancefloor-filler Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves), slow-burner Method To The Madness and online fan vote winner, Is This What It Feels Like to Feel Like This?
“We only have a few songs left, so it’s time to sweat everything out” says Dan, ahead of a rambunctious performance of standout single Lemon To A Knife Fight, before the equally upbeat and anthemic If You Ever Leave, I’m Coming With You.
“Nottingham – honestly what a place to start the tour, thank you!” says Murph ahead of the grand main set finale of Let’s Dance To Joy Division.
The ending of the song is a sight to behold, with Murph and bassist Tord conducting the crowd in the “We’re so happy!” refrain, as confetti shoots out into the crowd.
The band exit the stage but not for long, as Southern Rock stomper The World’s Not Out To Get Me, I Am kickstarts the encore.
I start to feel my voice failing me as I belt out the words to Turn, knowing I’ve perhaps overexerted myself for a Tuesday night – looking out into the crowd and hearing the words reverberate loudly around the arena, I am sure I’m not the only one.
“There’s only one thing left to say and that’s WOO!” yells Murph humorously, as the band launch into dramatic curtain closer, Greek Tragedy. It’s a celebratory ending to an outstanding show, with balloons dropping from the ceiling and bouncing all around the arena, transforming the Motorpoint Arena momentarily into a sight similar to the classic Sony Bravia TV advert.
While some arena shows are built around heavy production tricks, neither Everything Everything or The Wombats needed that tonight – just an energised crowd, a few balloons and an enviable catalogue of indie bangers. As the band take their final bow and exit the stage to sounds of Fatboy Slim’s Praise You, I find my thoughts echoing the song’s sentiment – what a night.
The Wombats performed at Motorpoint Arena on 18th March 2025, with support from Everything Everything.
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