Following the release of their sixth studio album, Oh! The Ocean last month, The Wombats returned to the capital city of Wales for the first time in 3 years for another showstopping performance. 

The evening kicked off with an explosive set from Red Rum Club, whose brassy, high-energy sound warmed up the crowd perfectly. They were followed by Everything Everything, who brought their signature blend of intricate indie-synth melodies and soaring falsettos, setting the stage for the main event. 

As the house lights dimmed, the buzz in the arena reached a fever pitch. Arriving promptly on stage at 9pm, with so many albums in their catalogue there's no room for error in time management as they set about to cram as many of their hit single's in to an over-joyous set-list.

Wasting no time, The Wombats launched straight into 'Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come', instantly igniting a frenzy. From the very first note, it was clear this was going to be an unforgettable night. Then came the big hitters thick and fast. From 'Moving to New York', 'Cheetah Tongue' and 'Techno Fan', the crowd clung to each and every word as they sang back at the top of their lungs. 

Elsewhere 'Kate Moss' offered up atmospheric qualities through its subdued synth basslines and disconsolate vocal delivery before the guitar swinging, trombone heavy 'Ready for the High' brought a storm of energy. 

Crowd-pleasers like 'Kill The Director' and 'Lemon to a Knife Fight' had the audience bouncing, while newer tracks like 'Blood On The Hospital Floor' showcased their ever-evolving sound as they slotted in seamlessly amongst their historic numbers.

 As the band departed the stage frontman Matthew “Murph” Murphy stripped things back for an intimate acoustic rendition of 'Lethal Combination', allowing the raw emotion of the lyrics to shine. The connection between band and audience was palpable, and as the band returned to the stage there was time for some humorous banter as Dan Haggis exclaimed Cardiff was a great port town, but not as great as Liverpool.

It doesn't take the band long to win the crowd back on side though as lucky fans inside got to hear 'Patricia The Stripper' for the first time live since 2018, dedicated to a fan who'd wrote them a poem - fitting for National Poetry Day. A real trip down memory lane as fans were transported back to their debut record, A Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation.

Known for putting on a visually stunning show, this was no exception with the grand finale 'Let’s Dance to Joy Division' packed with pure euphoric chaos, complete with a confetti explosions set off by the infamous Wombat characters causing mischief on-stage as the crowd were sent into a frenzy.

Returning for a 3 track encore, Murphy had to clarify the importance in good grammar with 'Turn's' lyrics "I want to get college girl drunk", and not college girls, before the finale of the evening 'Greek Tragedy' saw a plethora of latex balloons released from the ceiling as they bounced around the crowd, bowing out on their signature party atmosphere.

The Wombats’ Cardiff performance was a masterclass in indie-rock showmanship. With a career spanning over 20 years, they’ve honed their ability to craft a set that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Having delivered everything you could want from a live performance - infectious energy, stunning visuals, and a set-list packed with hits - there's no denying they're still one of the best in the business.

*****