Continuing their headline UK tour, The Wombats made a stop at Birmingham’s O2 Academy for an electrifying sold-out performance.
Opening the night with confident energy, The Night Café got the crowd warmed up. Many fans were already singing along to their bigger hits, including “Mixed Signals“ and “Addicted,“ showcasing the band’s growing presence. Their latest single, “Endless Love,” offered a promising glimpse of what’s to come from their upcoming debut album.
Next up, Blaenavon delivered a storming set, introducing two new tracks—“Catatonic Skinbag” and “Fucking Up My Friends“—from their eagerly awaited second album. These songs alone demonstrated the band’s ability to pull at a range of emotions, which clearly resonated with the crowd. With the addition of Scott Roach to their live lineup, Blaenavon’s sound took on even more depth, turning up the energy. Their passionate performance left a lasting impression, and with their own headline tour kicking off in May, fans should grab tickets before they sell out.
As the headliners took the stage, The Wombats were ready to make a statement. With their debut album still going strong 12 years on, the band showed no signs of slowing down. Their setlist was a perfect mix of old favorites, like “1996” and “Techno Fan,” blended with newer tracks such as “Bee Sting” and “Turn.”
Midway through the set, The Wombats launched into their so-called “Citrus Trilogy,” featuring “Lemon to a Knife Fight,” “I Don’t Know Why I Like You But I Do,” and “Pink Lemonade.” Frontman Murph even led a humorous discussion about whether or not a cherry is a citrus fruit, adding a quirky break from the usual on-stage chatter.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came with “Let’s Dance to Joy Division.” The song gave the crowd a chance to let loose and dance, while bassist Tord Knudsen kept the energy sky-high with his signature dance moves.
For the encore, Murph invited the crowd to switch on their phone torches during an acoustic rendition of “Lethal Combination,” instantly transforming the atmosphere into something more emotional and intimate. The show ended on a euphoric note with “Greek Tragedy,” as the uplifting lyrics “I have this feeling, but I love this part” seemed to resonate deeply with the audience. After such a powerful performance, it was clear that no one wanted the night to end.
