The Wombats Shake The Rafters At Webster Hall

I don’t think I’ve uttered the words “Webster Hall” and the “The Wombats” in the same sentence since junior year of college. I’d been looking forward to this one for weeks, amused and ready to go on a nostalgia binge. The Wombats, however had other goals for the evening. Paired with rising stars Cheerleader and Life in Film, they headlined a showcase Monday night that was modern, driving, and just really fun.

Cheerleader was up first and their excitement was contagious. I’m a fan of “Do What You Want”; the live version added an enjoyable ferocity. East London’s Life in Film came next, and quickly earned themselves a new fan.

Cheerleader

Life In Film

The Wombats kept the momentum going and had the sold out house stomping their feet for the entirety of their set. After knocking out satisfying renditions of “Moving to New York” and “Party in the Forest,” they dedicated the rest of the evening to hitting their stride. “Greek Tragedy” was a crowd pleaser and “Headspace” and “Be Your Shadow” are personal favorites.

The Wombats

My God, have The Wombats come very far. Glitterbug is filled with yearning and well worn tales of love, lust and ambition. The sound on this album is a lot more dense than their previous works and pairs interestingly with the rapscallion vibe fans love. They are clearly determined to explore what happens when life (and melodies) slow down a bit. Fair enough. Nostalgia is overrated, anyway.