As a huge fan of British indie rock, I was thrilled to catch The Wombats, an iconic, genre-defining indie rock/pop band, conclude their “Oh! The Ocean” tour at Brooklyn Bowl Feb 21. The Liverpudlian band, known for their upbeat, dance-oriented music, delivered an energetic performance that powered the Nashville crowd through a night of non-stop jumping and emotion.
To open the night, Cigarettes @ Sunset delivered a compelling rendition of their unique “possum rock” sound, a blend of both indie and Appalachian rock. Through a combination of raw, raspy vocals, rhythmic drumming and high-octane electric guitar, the band drove a pulsating performance. Songs such as “Teresa,” “Great Kid” and “Pavement” created an engulfing mosh that captured the crowd. Frontman Garrett Dellinger even jumped into the audience while performing “The Dangers of Banjo Maintenance,” a reflection of the band’s constant reciprocation of the crowd’s energy and support.
The band also momentarily stepped away from their roaring sound to deliver a compelling performance of “Old Bleached Hair.” In an incredibly vulnerable moment, Dellinger reflected on his previous struggles with mental health, delivering emotionally puncturing lyrics that resonated deeply on a personal level. Dellinger spoke directly to the crowd, reminding them that they are never alone and that they are uniquely important. This was not just a musical performance but an instance of intimate compassion and strength. Cigarettes @ Sunset ultimately delivered an unforgettable set, forging sentimental bonds with the crowd and demonstrating the profound impact of live music.
The Wombats then initiated their night on an enthusiastic note with upbeat tracks such as “Moving to New York,” “Techno Fan” and “Cheetah Tongue.” Brooklyn Bowl immediately erupted into dance, as the combination of infectious synths and sonorous riffs made stillness impossible. The Wombats also mirrored the flow of the crowd, constantly moving on stage while performing; Tord Øverland Knudsen, guitarist and supporting vocalist, relentlessly jumped and banged his head to the rhythm of his guitar.
The band maintained positive intensity through tracks such as “Ready for the High,” “Can’t Say No,” “The World’s Not Out to Get You” and “Pink Lemonade.” The band, continuing a long-time tradition, also brought out a performer in a life-sized wombat costume to perform the trombone on “Ready for the High.” Such an occurrence elicited tremendous laughter from the crowd and contributed to the performance’s fun nature.
The crowd then exploded, greater than they already had, when The Wombats began performing “Kill the Director.” This fan-favorite, uniquely harmonic track brought a wave of nostalgia and led me toward the ever-growing mosh. The energy of the performance made it impossible stop moving to the pulsating drums of the following tracks, “Holy Sugar” and “Method to the Madness.”
Matthew Murphy, lead singer, then halted the chain of continually upbeat tracks, creating a rather quiet tone for his solo performance of “Lethal Combination.” Murphy, backed solely by his acoustic guitar, delivered a sentimental performance dedicated to his partner. This moment marked the only calm portion of the night, as the band quickly returned to an animated tone.
Murphy joked about his sentimental break, stating, “From here on out, pretty danceable tunes.”
The band continued with vibrant tracks such as “Blood on the Hospital Floor,” “Lemon to a Knife Fight and “Tokyo,” before playing their “final” track of the night, “Turn.” After a quick intermission off stage and crowd calls for an encore, the iconic and renowned riff of their smash hit, “Greek Tragedy,” once again lit up Brooklyn Bowl. Backed by the voices of the crowd, The Wombats delivered their magnum opus, possibly creating the most joyous atmosphere of the night. They then reached their real conclusion, ending with another of their most iconic tracks, “Dancing to Joy Division.”
The Wombats truly delivered an amazing performance, ending their “Oh! The Ocean Tour” with a bang. From start to finish, they effortlessly had me dancing, laughing and smiling. The carefree, joyous nature of their performance exuded a feeling of cheerfulness that was impossible to quell. My feet may be sore, but my heart is full.
