The Wombats Invade Nashville
The Wombats wrap up their 2026 North American tour with their first show in Nashville in over four years. Fans of the band understand the troubles with travel from their native Liverpool, England, and were more than gracious welcoming the lads back to Music City. Despite being over two decades now into their career, The Wombats have managed to foster a wildly loyal fanbase that was eager to show up and show out for their favorite band.
Typically, I tend to talk about a band’s first three songs—they’re usually the lightning punch that sets the stage for the night. And while yes, The Wombats certainly had the initial oomph that I love to see with their introduction, the real meat and gravy of their performance came on their last three songs. Electing to skip an encore, the band dove headfirst into a three-song tirade of fan favorites, clearly unafraid of saving some heavy hitters for the waning moments of the night.
First there was “Turn,” a heart-warming single from 2017’s Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life. I remember when this song was released it immediately captivated the ears of alternative radio. That captivation was not lost in the live translation, with frontman Matthew Murphy’s smooth singing and the song’s near-universal appeal to starry-eyed lovers. The Wombats have such an ability to add the human element to what normally would be another synth-laden indie rock tune, vivid lyrics such as “watering plastic plants in the hope that they will grow” and “listening to Drake in your best friend’s swimming pool” simultaneously feel so corny yet so unapologetically free.
Switching gears, The Wombats ramp up into their “big hit”—2015’s “Greek Tragedy”. Perhaps ripping from the album’s title, Glitterbug, the song starts with a glittery, dazzling synth that gives way to sharp, punchy drums by Dan Haggis. It is an immediate catch, with the entire club clocking the song within moments. Multi-instrumentalist Tord Øverland Knudsen also makes himself known here, adding the characteristic bass and synth on the track. Despite the song being a slow burn (at least, for Wombats standard), the audience treated it as a full-fledged karaoke track. It is bombastic and a true release of energy, yet still maintains an odd sense of intimacy. The Wombats, despite all the flair of high-production, wild stage presence, and seven-foot-tall trombone playing humanoid wombats, manage the sneak in beside the listener. They’re charming and playful, yet still manage to amaze with their musicianship.
Finally, the band wrapped the night on “Let’s Dance to Joy Division,” a single from their 2007 debut. I cannot think of a better way to end their setlist. Not only does it sandwich nicely with the intro of “Moving to New York,” but it is unapologetically an anthem. It is a song that forces you to move, regardless if it is your first listen or your hundredth listen. It was a fantastic send off to a fantastic night of live music.
Setlist
Moving to New York
Techno Fan
Cheetah Tongue
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come
Ready for the High
Can’t Say No
The World’s Not Out to Get Me, I Am
Pink Lemonade
Tales of Girls, Boys and Marsupials -> Kill the Director
Holy Sugar
Method to the Madness
Lethal Combination (acoustic)
Blood On the Hospital Floor
Lemon to a Knife Fight
If You Ever Leave, I’m Coming With You
Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)
Turn
Greek Tragedy
Let’s Dance to Joy Division
The Wombats are simply one of the quintessential indie pop/rock bands of their generation. If you are a fan of left of center, alternative rock, or quirky pop-adjacent music, this show is a must see.
While it is unlikely for The Wombats to return stateside in the near future, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch them across the globe. You can find a full list of the band’s upcoming tour dates here.