The Wombats at the First Direct Arena, Leeds.

By Romy Caton-Jones.

Alternative new wave outfit The Wombats made their return to UK stages, and we were lucky enough to witness them perform in Leeds. Hailing from Liverpool, they are a stellar example of the musical talent we have to offer in the north west, and they have certainly done us proud.

Following support from Everything Everything and Red Rum Club, the setlist in Leeds kicked off with "Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come", straight from the new 2025 record Oh! The Ocean. The audience members shared no sentiment with the song title, all absolutely thrilled to be present for the performance ahead. This was followed by "Moving to New York" and "Cheetah Tongue". The Wombats are an indie, post punk staple, with cheeky satyrical lyrics and good vibes, perfect to lose yourself in.

With over six chart topping studio albums, the setlist was jam packed, and even featured a fan vote. More and more artists are adding this to the setlist, across all genres, and it's a brilliant idea that adds a level of personalisation and customisation to the show. The winner of the fan vote in Leeds was "1996" from their 2011 album This Modern Glitch. For a song that is now over 10 years old, it's insanely popular with the crowd and a clear fan favourite. "Let's Dance to Joy Division" sees the whole arena jumping and dancing with joy, and there's a very familial atmosphere between the band and their audience. After leaving the stage, the band of course return for an encore of "Turn" and "Greek Tragedy".

The Wombats are in no way new to the scene, but they are still going strong. If you haven't managed to see them live yet, and are look for a fun time with classic indie bangers, we recommend you catch them when they next tour.