On a lively Saturday night, The Wombats delighted Manchester with a second performance during their ‘Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life’ tour. The gig was a whirlwind of mosh pits, euphoric melodies, and vibrant lighting, proving that after fifteen years as a band, their energy and talent continue to evolve.
The night kicked off with indie pop band Bloxx, fresh from their DIY tour supporting Pale Waves, energizing the crowd with hits like ‘You’ and their latest single ‘Novocain’. Following them were Northern favorites The Night Café, who set the tone with an extended instrumental intro, seamlessly moving into ‘Felicity’. The audience swayed to ‘Addicted’, and cheers filled the room as they concluded with the infectious ‘You Change with The Seasons’.
As the lights dimmed, a colorful wombat silhouette illuminated the stage, signaling The Wombats’ arrival to ecstatic cheers. They opened with ‘Cheetah Tongue’, instantly igniting the crowd’s enthusiasm. The energy remained high as they played ‘1996’, prompting joyous chants of “this is no Bridget Jones” during ‘Kill The Director’.
Mosh pits erupted during ‘Techno Fan’, with bassist Tord playfully engaging the crowd. A particularly euphoric moment came with ‘Emoticons’, where dreamy guitar riffs resonated throughout Manchester Academy. Lead vocalist Dan expressed gratitude to the fans, especially those who attended both sold-out shows, as old favourites and new tracks alike were met with equal love, including ‘Lemon to a Knife Fight’ and ‘Pink Lemonade’.
An unexpected interlude of elevator music prefaced ‘Moving to New York’, with the audience playfully shouting “GRELVIS” as a password for “the 14th Floor.” Wombat costumes added a humorous touch to the performance, showcasing the band’s dedication to entertaining their fans. The lively crowd jumped to ‘Jump into the Fog’, followed by the unforgettable ‘Let’s Dance to Joy Division’, marking the end of their main set.
Returning for an encore, The Wombats treated fans to tracks like ‘Tokyo- Vampires and Wolves’ and concluded with the powerful ‘Greek Tragedy’, leaving everyone with one last chance to dance and sing along.
Overall, The Wombats delivered an unforgettable performance, blending exceptional music with dazzling lighting and a feel-good atmosphere that made their concert a must-see for any live music enthusiast.
Be sure to grab tickets for The Wombats’ upcoming shows on their website.
