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.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
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).
Image: The Hoot Leeds
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.
Two new arena dates have been added to their forthcoming UK tour, after selling out the entire run within two hours.
Ahead of dropping their fifth studio LP Rushmere at the end of the month, the cult favourite folk-rock outfit announced a brand-new European tour in support of the record, including a limited UK leg.
The now sold-out arena run starts in Europe in November before now arriving in Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
The significance of the band’s return can be found in the title of the new album, as Rushmereis the spot where it all began for the boys: a pond located on Wimbledon Common in south-west London where Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane first hung out.
However, the multi-award-winning acoustic-driven British rockers and folk revivalists are now a trio following the departure of Winston Marshall, who quit the band back in 2021 following controversies surrounding his right-wing beliefs.
Image: Supplied
With that in mind, it’s rather fitting that they have insisted that beyond just a place and a title, Rushmere is alsothebeginning of a new phase.
Following an intense period of creativity, the project was produced by fellow nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded at the famous RCA Studio A in Nashville, as well as in Savannah, Georgia and back home at Marcus’ studio in Devon.
The album itself drops on this Friday 28 March and judging by the little that we’ve heard so far, they’ve been well worth the wait.
As for the arena show, tickets will go on sale this Thursday 27 March at 10am.
Best of all, they’re donating £1 from every ticket sold straight to War Child UK – this sort of stuff should be standard for any big act as far as we’re concerned.
Madness announce huge Leeds gig at the First Direct Arena on upcoming UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Madness are heading back out on a tour of the UK with their Hits Parade tour, including a stop right here in Leeds.
The beloved British band, famed for hits like Baggy Trousers, House of Fun, and One Step Beyond, are heading to the First Direct Arena this winter.
Madness will be kicking the tour off in Sheffield on 4 December, before heading across a 13-date-strong arena tour.
They’ll be joined by Squeeze on all dates, who were huge throughout the 1990s, and again since reuniting in 2007.
The tour has been announced to celebrate their biggest hits of their career, which spans almost five decades.
In 2023, Madness achiever their first-ever UK number one studio album, with Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie – though before that, they already had an impressive 10 top 10 albums.
Image: Supplied
Madness also have multiple awards, including an Ivor Novello, and performed as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee celebrations.
The show promises to be ‘live, loud, and full of heart’.
Speaking on the new tour, Madness said: “We are going to be parading through your town soon… bearing glittering hits of all shapes and sizes, everyone welcome.”
These newly-announced tour dates follow a headline USA tour earlier this year, plus an upcoming summer packed with festival appearances.
Madness will be releasing a compilation of unique covers, available as an exclusive red translucent vinyl, in celebration of Record Store Day 2025.
Madness will be at the First Direct Arena on Friday 12 December – tickets will go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 28 March HERE.
Madness Hits Parade tour dates in full
Thursday 4 December – Sheffield Utilita Arena
Friday 5 December – Manchester AO Arena
Saturday 6 December – Glasgow OVO Hydro
Sunday 7 December – Aberdeen P&J Live
Tuesday 9 December – Newcastle Utilita Arena
Wednesday 10 December – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
Friday 12 December – Leeds First Direct Arena
Saturday 13 December – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Sunday 14 December – Brighton Centre
Tuesday 16 December – Bournemouth International Centre
Declan Kelly -
27th March 2025 
