No Greek Tragedy, just indie bangers – The Wombats set Leeds’ First Direct Arena alight

27th March 2025

Categories: Audio, Leeds

The Wombats aren’t just still going strong – they’re getting better. And honestly? Long may they reign.

The Wombats absolutely tore the roof off the First Direct Arena in Leeds last night, Wednesday 26 March and what a night it was.

From the second they hit the stage it wasn’t just a gig, it was a full-blown indie-pop spectacle, packed with infectious energy, nostalgia, and a whole lot of dancing.

They kicked things off with “Moving to New York,” and honestly? The crowd was in from the first note.

Matthew Murphy’s unmistakable vocals rang through the arena and suddenly, thousands of people were screaming every lyric like it was 2007 all over again. It was one of those moments where you could just feel how much this band still means to people.

Despite the massive venue, The Wombats somehow made it feel intimate. The lights? Pure chaos in the best way – vibrant, colourful, and totally in sync with the band’s wild, bouncy sound.

Murphy’s cheeky banter between songs made it feel less like a polished arena show and more like a jam session with a few thousand of your closest mates.

Setlist-wise, they nailed it. “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” and “Greek Tragedy” had the whole place losing it, while the stripped-down version of “Techno Fan” gave everyone a minute to breathe (and maybe get a little emotional).

Those quieter moments just made the high-energy choruses hit even harder. It was a
rollercoaster – in the best way possible.

Then came the encore. If you thought the crowd was loud before, “Kill the Director” took things to another level. Pure, chaotic indie bliss. The kind of moment you don’t want to end.

Here’s the thing about The Wombats: some might say their older songs hit harder than their newer stuff, but is that just nostalgia talking? Or maybe it’s a generational thing?

Either way, they proved they’re still one of the most exciting live bands out there. They’ve still got the hooks, the humour, and the ability to turn a massive arena into a sweaty, euphoric singalong.

Featured image – The Hoot Leeds