INTO THE MOSH 113: WOMBATS | OH! THE OCEAN | BOAT PARTY REVIEW
Words by Matilda Elliott.
The Wombats are truly a staple in so many Aussie music fan’s arsenals. With a band name that implies they’re from here, the UK and European band are declared honourary Aussies, with their hits soundtracking so many Australian gathos, to their songs even being played at huge stadium events.
In anticipation for their new album, Oh! The Ocean hitting our ears, The Wombats threw a slew of parties across Brisbane, Melbourne and finally docked in Sydney, where I got to join the party!
With two tracks already released from the band’s newest album, we can get a grasp of the tone put out so far, we can expect introspective ruminations that the trio are so well known for. Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come opens the new album, with a fresh summery feel, with a looming sense of angst and downtrodden humour. “I don’t want to socialise unless I’m getting numb;” an incredibly relatable sentiment for lots of people.
After my direction-adverse self, found myself at the wrong wharf and powerwalking for just under 30 mins, I finally made it to the correct wharf and onto Glass Island, which despite my slight lateness was still docked much to my absolute joy. Entering the boat, I was greeted by what seemed to be at least a couple hundred people, many with bright hair, Wombats merch and a large mix of footwear ranging from converse to sandals.
Standing on the balcony, admiring the harbour view, I made friends with three lovely women, one who was also going to the gig alone. Finding a connection through shared music taste and experiences was something I wasn’t expecting for such a short event!
Once I was settled, I heard a familiar voice, it was none other than the iconic Daphne Berry, who my sister and I look up to. Not only is Daphne an incredible interviewer and personality, but she is proof that grit, determination and self-belief will always make waves. The host and creator of the sitdown interview show Airing Your Dirty Laundry, was MCing the event and going to be interviewing the members of The Wombats. Shortly after the trio arrived at Glass Island by a little boat, accompanied by two backup dancers in wombat costumes who really brought up the hype. I later heard from the grapevine that the pair were none other than hilarious and very witty triple j Drive hosts Abby and Tyrone.
Daphne asked The Wombats how it feels to be back in Australia, to which lead singer Matthew “Murph” Murphy said: “We’ve been a band for 20 odd years. It’s mental people still want to see us.”
A roar bellowed from the audience who clearly were just as happy as ever to see the boys, with each question the crowd grinned and giggled.
When Daphne asked the trio if they have any standout memories from their time in Australia over the years, the boys paused for a moment and came to the agreement that it was playing the iconic Opera House. A rye smile appeared on Dan Haggis’ face as he made a correction, “Actually, our fave moment is when our tour manager fell down an orchestra pit in Melbourne dressed as a wombat.” Dan jeered to an eruption of laughter.
After the Q & A session, Daphne announced a meet and greet with The Wombats would be happening on the lower level of the boat. One of my friends asked me if I would go and meet them, after some convincing my suddenly shy self was in line with my new pal to meet The Wombats. The line snaked around the lower level of the boat, but, me and my new friend got to talking about Chappell Roan, which made the line go so fast, I hadn’t decided what I would say to the boys.
“When I was younger, I thought the lyric was ‘if you love me let me go back to the boring Tokyo’ which makes no sense in retrospect.”
“I’m sure this is online but I’ve never thought to Google it, or maybe I did but I don’t remember, why did you choose The Wombats as your band name?”
No. No. No.
Oh…oh! It’s my turn!
I greeted the boys with a far too formal and sincere handshake each, spluttering that my name is Matilda, thanking them for their musical talent and for sharing it with the world.
Following the meet and greet, I went back up on the top level and boogied, jiving and swaying with part of the sway coming from the swell of the ocean, and the other part being my far too little embarrassment to dance like no one is watching.
Starting off the DJ sets of the evening, we were graced with the incredible presence of Rachel Maria Cox, who played a mix of club classics and queer hits and The Wombats tracks thrown in for good measure. Rachel got everyone dancing and connecting, I got to chatting with so many people, it was genuinely such a fun experience just letting loose and enjoying the atmosphere.
Finally, Dan and Tord from The Wombats jumped on the decks to a PACKED top tier of the boat, playing what could best be described as music a white person would be absolutely tickled pink to hear, mixed in with some club bops, ending their set with their second released track from ‘Oh! The Ocean’, Blood On The Hospital Floor, which to me, feels like a rocksteady reflection of one’s own feelings and emotions, how our brain can warp meaning and understandings through an onslaught of emotions.
The Wombats’ boat party was truly such a fun time to let loose and genuinely just have fun, I came to the event alone feeling like I’d not be that social or stick to myself but left with so many connections and friendships just based on the fact we all had came to this place together and connected through music.