REVIEW: The Wombats - Manchester Apollo

The Wombats are quickly becoming one of the UK's most recognised Indie Rock bands in the UK, and without a doubt is well deserved for the band. Having seen their live performance multiple times, it's obvious to me these boys are hard working and dedicated to the band, through good and bad.

Having only released 3 full length albums, most recent being Glitterbug released this year, The Wombats have came far since their first album 'A Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation', and still have far to go in their musical career. But their solid live performance and strong fan base just shows that with that little bit more blood sweat and tears, The Wombats will without a doubt be remembered as a band that made a statement for the Indie Rock scene.

First support band of the two is The Night Cafe, a Liverpool 4 piece band that formed in 2014. Being a relatively new band, having being given the opportunity to play with a band from their home town Liverpool at such a unique Manchester venue like the O2 Apollo is a big deal for them.

With a much more mellow sound than The Wombats, listening to them was a nice alternative to The Wombats lightning atmosphere. The band could be comapred to Swim Deep, a Birmingham Beach-pop band popular in Manchester. Whilst looking across the venue, and bodies swaying, it would appear the band had won over the packed out Apollo crowd, even though their lack of audience interaction was a downer, their performance as musicians had no faults. The only words came from their front man, "Nice one Manchester". Over all, The Night Cafe provided a spot on set, musically.

The second and final support act is Reading formed band Sundara Karma, who already have a small following in and around Manchester. Walking on stage like it's just another day in the office, Sundara Karma kick of their set with 'Freshbloom', a song of their 2015 EP 'EPI'. With a half responsive crowd, singer/guitarist Oscar calmly shouts "You ready Manchester?" before going into play 'Flame'.

Sundara Karma have a much higher energy stage presence than the first support band 'The Night Cafe', but a musical performance equally as good. And a quick scan across the venue shows fans dying to burst into dance as Sundara Karma jam out their extremely upbeat Indie rock sound. Listening to them, you almost feel as if you have been transported onto a Caribbean island beach, no complaints there.

Coming to the end of their set, Oscar says to the Apollo crowd "You've been great Manchester" then going onto to warn the crowd "This is your last chance to embarrass yourself and dance". When a Mancunian crowd is challenged to dance, they don't let down under any condition. Sundara Karma start playing their final song 'Loveblood', most likely their most recognised song. As the chorus to the popular tune starts, the crowd finally gets heated and a quick look behind you and a group of young fans showing Sundara Karma how dancing is done, 'moshing', jumping and lots of chanting. A very welcoming reaction to Sundara Karmas set before The Wombats head on stage. Sundara Karma play Manchester Soup Kitchen on the 24th October.

Finally, it's time for the Liverpool 3 piece, The Wombats, to hit the stage, and Manchester could not be any more ready. There and then, Manchester was prepared to explode! During the build-up to The Wombats hitting the stage, various chants were shouted across the venue. Walking through the Apollo, you could mistake it for a Manchester United Vs Liverpool football game, but don't be fooled, it's just a good 'ol The Wombats gig.

It strikes 9:15, the house lights dimmed and a roar could be heard across the venue, The Wombats spring on stage and the crowd surge forward as front-man Murph shouts "MANCHESTER", without any further comment the band start playing 'Give Me A Try'. Manchester Apollo erupts into madness, and every person attending, standing or seating, was bouncing to the new song of album 'Glitterbug'.

As the night progressed a few songs in, it was already a sweat fuled crowd, The Wombats begin playing 'Moving To New York' and it was mind blowingly clear this was one of the crowds favourite songs. In Manchester Rocks style, the crowd opens up wider and wider leaving an empty space in the middle of the venue, waiting for the song to kick in with the chorus. "LETS DO THIS" Murph shouts to the crowd, the chorus kicks in and the empty space in the middle of the venue is quickly filled with bouncing and pushing fans yelling along to the lyrics. When people think of Indie bands, they don't usually relate it to a crowd that likes to get sweaty, but The Wombats fans prove them wrong. Every opportunity the crowd got, they bounced and moshed away the 19 song set. But the night wasn't all about dancing, The Wombats leave the stage for a short while, probably to catch their breath and take in the over whelming reaction of the crowd. The lights rise and Murph walks on stage standing still at the centre of the stage looking across the venue for a split second before beginning to play 'Isobel' of their new album Glitterbug, probably one of their most mellow songs produced to date, the high energy crowd comes to a stand still, raising their phone lights in the air lighting up Manchester Apollo like a full moon.

The Wombats didn't allow the crowd to stand still for to long, with a quick guitar change, other member Dan (drums) and Tord (Bass) re-enter the stage, looking out to the ocean of cheering fans. "This songs called Greek Tragedy" says Murph, and the crowd continue with their chaos as the song starts. Coming to the end of their set, The Wombats play one of their most popular songs 'Lets Dance to Joy Division'. "Sing along if you know the lyrics" is yelled across the venue by drummer Dan. Unexpectedly bassist Tord jumps into the crowd mid-song treating the barrier fans to an up close and personal experience before jumping back on stage and rolling around before picking back up his bass and cracking on with the last part of the song. Sounding like a karaoke bar, the crowd screams the lyrics back to the band in sync. Whilst the centre of the venue is turned into a tornado of fans pushing and jumping into each other, the typical expectation of a crowd at The Wombats gigs.

Just as we think this is the end of the set, Murph shouts "This riff is called Untitled". That's right, 2 minutes of chaotic a riff, not usually what you'd expect to hear The Wombats play, but they made it work. Bassist Tord clearly loves playing live as he swings his bass across the stage like a baseball bat running from left to right, and the crowd copying his actions like a game of simon says. "Have we got one more round, Manchester" Murph says before kicking back into the riff, for the last time of the night, the crowd explodes into a chaotic whirlwind, sweat flying across the venue like a thick mist of water.

The Wombats played what was possibly, and quite easily one of 2015's best gigs.

Words: Cai Dixon

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