THE WOMBATS
LIVE AT COLLEGE STREET MUSIC HALL
College Street Music Hall in New Haven was transformed into a room bursting with The Wombats’ indie charm and pop-rock energy on Monday night, February 9th for their second leg of the Oh! The Ocean Tour. Formed in Liverpool in 2003, the trio, including frontman Matthew Murphy, bassist Tord Øverland Knudsen, and drummer Dan Haggis, proved once again why their live shows are as beloved as their catalog.
The band burst into the set with “Moving to New York,” instantly igniting the crowd as the members stepped onstage. From the first song on, Knudsen commanded attention, launching into high jumps with infectious smiles, visibly feeling every beat in his body. His enthusiasm was impossible to miss, radiating pure joy and genuine love for both the music and his bandmates.
A rug-carpeted wall stretched across the back of the stage, creating a cozy, almost living-room-like atmosphere, while a brown, fuzzy platform elevated Haggis behind the drums. “Cheetah Tongue” was bathed in striking black-and-white lighting and geometric stage design, creating a sharp, edgy feel to the track. During “Can’t Say No,” the stage glowed with seven bold orange and purple lights, while “Pink Lemonade” turned the crowd into part of the performance, clapping along in unison.
One of the night’s most unexpected moments came during “Ready for the High,” when a six-foot-tall wombat mascot appeared onstage, trumpet in hand, prompting cheers and laughter from the packed room.
Murphy’s connection with the audience was especially evident during his piano-led moments. While performing “this is no Bridget Jones,” fans eagerly filled in the ad-libs of “kill” and “Kill the Director,” turning the venue into a massive sing-along. During “Can’t Say No,” the stage glowed with seven bold orange and purple lights, while “Pink Lemonade” turned the crowd into part of the performance, clapping along in unison.
The energy eased for the next few songs, beginning with “Method to the Madness,” bathed in deep red lighting that matched Murphy’s red guitar. The room quieted completely when Murphy stepped into the spotlight alone for a solo acoustic performance of “Lethal Combination.” Stripped-down and raw, his powerful voice filled the venue, leaving the audience in awe before the band returned to full intensity.
Blue and purple lights flooded the stage as the full band returned, bringing the room back to full volume after the quiet moment. Before diving into “Lemon to a Knife Fight,” Murphy joked with the crowd, asking, “Does anyone need any more vitamin C? Don’t want anyone getting scurvy,” drawing laughter, following up the track with a seamless transition into “If You Ever Leave, I’m Coming With You.”
The band closed out the show with an encore of “Greek Tragedy” and “Let’s Dance to Joy Division”, followed by the crowd erupting in cheers and applause as they played their final notes. Monday night’s show at College Street Music Hall was a perfect reminder of why the band’s live shows are so beloved and reminded everyone why their performances remain a must-see experience.
Photos and Review by Bek Allegretti
