The Wombats at Palais Theatre
Making their second trip this year to Melbourne, and spoiling us with a Spilt Milk sideshow was Aussie faves The Wombats. The Liverpudlian trio are no strangers to our shores; so it was an absolute treat to see them back on an Australian tour so soon. Playing St Kilda’s Palais Theatre yet again, the indie rockers took to the stage for a packed-out show and gave nothing less than their all.
Opening their show as a Melbourne exclusive was Brisbane singer-songwriter Jaguar Jonze, whose alt-rock catalogue was the perfect way to start the night off. After releasing debut album BUNNY MODE earlier this year, Jaguar Jonze kicked her set into gear with raging track Who Died and Made You King?, and Cut – both from her new release. Dark-pop anthem Murder saw the artist bring out a flute for a solo, much to the audience’s delight, while her Like a Version cover of Nirvana’s Heart-Shaped Box (that almost didn’t make it onto the setlist) drove the crowds absolutely wild. Mammoth tracks Trigger Happy and Swallow (also from her debut album) went off without a hitch before the set came to a close with Jaguar Jonze’s classic hit Kill Me With Your Love, which catapulted the musician’s career. Running to the merch desk to secure one of her signed vinyl records, it’s safe to say that we are already excited to see her again in Melbourne as soon as we can.
Before long, it was time for the lads to make their triumphant return to the Palais’ stage. Playing a whopping 20-track setlist, the Wombats‘ latest album Fix Yourself, Not the World was the star of the night; with plenty of tracks that have become instant classics. Starting off strong with hit track Moving to New York, as well as the opening song from their new album, Flip Me Upside Down, the crowd was up and dancing from the very get-go – with sparklers setting off celebrating the occasion.
With almost 20 years under their belt, older single Techno Fan had the audience screaming along to every word, while Ready for the High saw a steady sway throughout the crowds. Super fresh single Is This What It Feels Like to Feel Like This? off their newest EP of the same name goes off, and has singer Murph exclaiming ‘this is more like an evening with the Wombats’ – which the crowd agrees with an uproar. Next, it’s ‘time to bang on about some fruits’; as Pink Lemonade and Everything I Love Is Going to Die set the pace for the next part of the set.
We time travel back to 2006 for the quirky intro from Girls, Boys and Marsupials, before Kill the Director causes the audience to erupt into a mass singalong, which is swiftly followed up by the synth-heavy Jump Into the Fog. This Car Drives All by Itself is a fun, new mature sound for the band, while I Think My Mind Has Made Its Mind Up lends itself to some grungy riffs that are sure to get anyone bopping along. The band exclaims they have ‘another song about lemons’, as they rip into Lemon to a Knife Fight, which will truly have any old or new Wombats fan singing along to.
Murph switches things up for a bit with an acoustic version of Lethal Combination, which sees the inside of the Palais lit up by phone lights. Joining Murph back onstage, bassist Tord Knudsen and Dan Haggis get the party started back up; and as the first notes on the synth ring out, we know we’re in for a dance as Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves) starts up. The obsessive pop hit If You Ever Leave, I’m Coming With You and massive hit track Greek Tragedy drive the audience absolutely nuts, and the stage once again is filled with sparklers as the set nears the end.
All good things must come to an end, but that’s okay when your encore consists of the slow-burning/big payoff Method to the Madness, let-loose party anthem Let’s Dance to Joy Division, and what has become one of the Wombats’ biggest singles, Turn. The encore leaves us all with smiles on our faces, which turns to wonder as the final song leads into its last chorus, and streamers shoot up into the theatre. It’s a moment not to be missed, and a feel good memory that’ll stick with us for a while.
Check out their website for all upcoming tour dates.