Tales of Girls, Boys, Marsupials, and Jannus Live
Oh! The Ocean! And by G-d, Oh! The Wombats! At Jannus Live? What a whirlwind, and what a world to live in and be a part of. This was my first time seeing The Wombats, and to do any show, but especially a bucket list one in a near sold-out capacity on opening night of tour is always a pleasure. Coming from a double shift at the clinic into a shoot is less of a pleasure - albeit only due to my anxiety - but I made it right on time for “Moving to New York” as a show opener!
As I finally stop clamming up and get into go-mode, I can finally appreciate the detail and love the Wombats have put into their set design between my shots. It’s an incredibly comfortable-looking pastel orange/pink-hued fur backing, the risers for drums are properly seen, and everyone from front to back has an incredible view of each member of the trio. Thank G-d, I did too. Usual blink and first three is gone, but, I’m more than happy to hang about as “Sorry I’m Late, I didn’t Want to Come” is playing. It’s my second most clear indicator that this will be an all-timer setlist to write about. I’m sorry I’m late, I still absolutely do want to come and be here, and I’m just sorry I’ve missed anything, really.
In true whimsical and silly nature (where would any of us be without it?) we see an “actual” wombat onstage, albeit suspiciously human-shaped and sized. Personally? Absolutely adored it and think we should all get a little sillier with our touring crew on stage, but what do the crowd and I know, anyway? The night also finally gave some clarity to a “Pink Lemonade” fan (it’s me) about the song’s inspiration - infidelity that never really occured and was only falsely percieved in a drunken stupor - which is a crazy reason to write a banger…but I happen to be quite grateful. Excruciatingly apologetic to the parties involved, but still, quite grateful. Having that lead into “Kill The Director” with the “Boys/Girls/Marsupials” introduction was absolutely batshit insane, thank you for asking.
This will surely end up in the battle for show of the year, and I cannot wait to see its contenders. My only regret was being unable to hold a loved one as instructed during “Turn”, but there’s nothing to be done yet about 4000+ miles sometimes.
All in, you learn very quickly at your first Wombats show that there is nothing to complain about in the world for a few hours. Even if you are, in Pat Kirch of the Maine’s words, a setlist diva, you’ll be fine. I tend to think in forevers, and I’ll truly forever be a fan of the Wombats. Thank you forever for having me out. You can find the accompanying gallery in full here.
Setlist below (for the fellow divas!)
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
Kill the Director
(With "Tales of Girls, Boys, and Marsupials" intro)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
Encore:
Greek Tragedy
Let's Dance to Joy Division