The Wombats, Dome Concert Hall, Brighton, April 29

12:43pm Wednesday 30th April 2008

Let me start with a confession - I love The Wombats.

Their brand of ker-changy, up-tempo pop gets me dancing about the car every morning.

But this gig left me underwhelmed for one simple reason - the band's sound levels were all wrong.

You literally couldn't hear Matthew Murphy's guitar, and drummer Dan Haggis was barely audible as he chatted between songs.

This was all very frustrating because The Wombats have some awesome tracks.

Let's Dance To Joy Division is a classic in the Kooks-esque, fun, indie-pop genre. As are Kill The Director and Moving to New York. And at last, a bass player in the shape of Tord ÿverland-Knudsen who actually looks as though he is enjoying himself.

There was no new material here, which was strange given their debut album, The Wombats Proudly Present: A Guide To Love, Loss And Desperation, was released a year ago.

Still, the band has a full summer of gigs, not to mention another appearance in Brighton at the Great Escape Festival in mid-May, at which to unleash some new sounds.

But the whole night at The Dome felt lightweight as a result of the technical difficulties.

The best part involved the unveiling of a giant inflatable wombat from the ceiling.

But the fact the high point was non-musical says it all.

Wombats - sort out your sound and get back to thrilling crowds like we know you can.

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