REVIEW: The Wombats Bring Nostalgia and New Energy to Austin’s Scoot Inn
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY SOPHIE GRAGG ☆
THERE’S A CERTAIN MAGIC IN WATCHING A BAND YOU GREW UP WITH PLAY THE SONGS THAT ONCE SOUNDTRACKED YOUR ADOLESCENCE - and realizing they still hit just as hard years later. Last night at Scoot Inn, The Wombats delivered that exact feeling. The air had just begun to cool after a long Austin summer, a light breeze weaving through the sold-out outdoor venue as fans packed shoulder to shoulder beneath a soft October sky. The show kicked off early, just after 6:20 p.m., and as the band launched into their hit “Moving to New York,” the sun started to dipped low, bathing the crowd in gold.
Frontman Matthew “Murph” Murphy was in his element, cracking jokes, sharing snippets of stories behind the songs, and remarking that the night had “old SXSW energy, in the best way possible.” The energy in the crowd was undeniable: a mix of longtime fans who once had A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation burned into their iPods, and newer listeners (some barely teenagers) singing along beside their parents. It was a rare moment of generational crossover, proof that The Wombats’ sharp wit and timeless hooks continue to resonate. The setlist balanced the old and the new effortlessly, from the biting nostalgia of “1996” to the dreamy pulse of “Holy Sugar,” their latest single off the upcoming deluxe release of Oh! The Ocean (due December 5).
Midway through the night, a full-sized wombat mascot appeared wielding a trombone, joining the band for an unexpected, hilarious interlude that had the entire crowd cheering. But between the humor and chaos were moments of real connection, particularly during “Method to the Madness” and “Turn,” when Murph’s vocals took on a more introspective edge, reminding everyone of how skillfully the band blends irony and sincerity. By the encore, “Greek Tragedy” and, of course, “Let’s Dance to Joy Division”, the crowd was a sea of movement, arms raised, voices hoarse, and smiles wide.
As twilight gave way to night, The Wombats proved that two decades in, they’re still one of indie rock’s most consistent live acts. Their set was a reminder of how enduring this music is - songs that once belonged to messy teenage years now finding new life in a new era, still brimming with catharsis, humor, and heart.
