(written August 5th, 2016, live review and photo gallery featured in issue 3 of Uncover)
"Whenever we come to Santa Ana, we always seem to have a great time!" lead singer Matthew Murphy yelled after finishing the first song. And a great time it was indeed.
The Wombats: An English trio that know how to put on a show. Using a fusion of indie rock and pop similar to that of bands such as Two Door Cinema Club and The Kooks, The Wombats have taken rock music to another level. Formed in Liverpool in 2003, the band comprises of Matthew Murphy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboard), Daniel (Dan) Haggis (drums, percussion, guitar, keyboard and backing vocals) and Tord Øverland Knudsen (bass guitar, guitar, keyboard and backing vocals). "A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation" (2007) was the album that started them out, following with "This Modern Glitch" (2011), and "Glitterbug" (2015) which both hit #2 on Australia's top album chart.
It was August 5th when I got to The Observatory in Santa Ana, and the line was almost out of the parking lot to get in. This being The Wombats last show of the tour, I wasn't surprised to see the amount of fans eagerly waiting for the doors to open.
After experiencing the chill vibes brought on by Coast Modern, The Wombats opened with "Give Me a Try," blue and pink lights flooding the entire venue. The crowd immediately began moshing: all the energy being thrown out by the band was doubled and thrown back by the people of the pit. The entire Wombats set was a blast, with fan favorites such as "Pink Lemonade" and "Kill the Director," everyone from the floor to the balcony was having the time of their lives. After leaving the stage and being called back for more, The Wombats joined back for a 3 song encore, starting slow with "Isabel," moving on to one of their most popular songs "Greek Tragedy," and ending with a fan favorite you can't help but dance to, "Let's Dance to Joy Division." By the end of the night, everyone was buzzing with adrenaline, and I had experienced one of the best shows of my life.
If you ever have the chance to see The Wombats, I highly recommend snagging some tickets. Whether you are in the front or in the back, this English trio will show you a good time.
Check them out here: http://www.thewombats.co.uk/home/