The Wombats Announce 2025 UK Arena Tour in Support of New Album

The Wombats, the celebrated Scouse-Scandinavian indie band, have announced a substantial six-date UK arena tour, set to commence in March 2025. This tour will coincide with the release of their sixth studio album, ‘Oh! The Ocean’, scheduled for February 21, 2025. Accompanying The Wombats on this musical journey will be special guests Everything Everything and Red Rum Club.

The tour will begin at the Nottingham Motorpoint Arena on March 18, 2025, and conclude at the Leeds First Direct Arena on March 26, 2025. Other stops include London’s The O2, Cardiff’s Utilita Arena, the Manchester AO Arena, and Glasgow’s OVO Hydro. Tickets for all shows are slated to go on sale at 10am on Friday, October 18, 2024.

In anticipation of their upcoming album, The Wombats have already released the lead single ‘Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come’, accompanied by a music video. The song, as explained by frontman Matthew “Murph” Murphy, delves into themes of antisocial behavior, encapsulated in the lyrics that reflect a ‘Lone Wolf’ mindset. Murphy noted that the song addresses the real-world implications of such a disposition, revealing, “(It) is about constantly defaulting to a ‘Lone Wolf’ mindset, and what the real-life consequences of that may be.” The lyrics include the notable line: “Sorry I’m late, I didn’t want to come, It’s not that I hate you, I just hate everyone.”

Matthew Murphy, alongside producer John Congleton, who has previously collaborated with notable names such as St. Vincent and Death Cab for Cutie, spent six weeks recording the new album during July 2024. Murphy shared that the inspiration for ‘Oh! The Ocean’ stemmed from personal experiences and revelations during a family holiday, which prompted existential reflections and insights about his life and mindset.

Murphy expressed the profound impact of the trip, stating, “I’ve been to many beaches and seas and coasts over the years, but for some reason, it felt like the first time I had ever seen it and was truly present. It was really a potent experience.” He further elaborated on the introspective themes present in the album: “The album offers up some internal questions like: why are my head and body disconnected all the time? Why am I incapable at times of seeing any form of beauty in the world or in others? Why do I expect the world to conform to my will? Why do I never stop and smell the flowers?”

The album features several tracks, including ‘Can’t Say No’, ‘Blood On The Hospital Floor’, and ‘Reality Is A Wild Ride’, among others. Fans eagerly await not only the release of the album but also the opportunity to experience these new tunes live during The Wombats’ 2025 UK arena tour.