A few days ago, I drove to Charlotte, NC, to see The Wombats at the Fillmore- a venue I’ve now visited twice. 

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​First up was Florencia & the Feeling, and it’s safe to say that no one in the crowd expected the energy that they gave us. As they took the stage, their demeanour was quiet, maybe a little bit nervous. That timidness washed away almost instantly as they began to perform. The vocalist, Florencia, especially came out of her shell. Their sound was a mix of jazz, funk, indie rock, and pop, which set them apart from other artists. The music was unique and charming. I was excited to hear something different after attending so many rock shows lately. Their physical performance didn’t lack character either. They engaged the audience with signs, props, and coordinated dances. One of the props used was an inflatable couch- which, (spoiler!) was kindly offered to me to sit on following their set. My favourite song they performed was one of the first few on the setlist called “Liar Liar.” I still have it stuck in my head days later. I can’t wait to see this group again when they come around next. They deserve all the hype.

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The second artist and the main attraction of the night is The Wombats. I was big on this band during my freshman year of high school. I was elated to have the opportunity to provide coverage for them. The trio took the stage smoothly and energetically. As they began their first song, “Moving to New York,” the crowd had already gone wild. Singing, dancing, jumping- many of these people were long-time, dedicated fans. For those not familiar with their music, the group is a U.K.-based indie-rock band. They formed in 2003 and have grown and evolved ever since. They are most popularly known for songs like “Greek Tragedy” and “Let’s Dance to Joy Division.” The bassist particularly caught my eye. I don’t think I saw him without a smile on his face a single time during the performance. I know that I couldn’t keep one off mine either. The air in the room grew warmer as bodies around me danced and sang excitedly. It was a comforting contrast to the cold outside. As I was getting ready to leave, I caught a glimpse of the wombat mascot they had brought up on stage. It was a wonderful way to end the evening. The Wombats are a group you absolutely can’t miss. They still have a few months left on their Oh! The Ocean tour. Grab tickets while you can!