The band’s first form was as a trio, featuring keyboardist Oliver McGill, double bassist Ryan Monro and percussionist Felix Riebl. They were soon joined by trumpet player Harry James Angus, DJ Jamshid Khadiwala and Will Hull-Brown on the drums. The Cat Empire quickly made a big name for themselves on the live circuit, having started off playing at Melbourne (Australia) clubs before then playing at a number of major festivals, including Melbourne Festival, Edinburgh Festival in Scotland and WOMAD in England. Having already developed an international reputation, they released their self-titled debut album in 2003, which gained heavy airplay on BBC Radio 1.
Their second record followed in 2005, with “Two Shoes,” a huge critical and commercial success, peaking at number one in the Australian charts. Recorded in Havana, Cuba, the album displayed a strong latin-jazz influence, displaying an ever-diverse sound. It was with their 2007 release, “So Many Nights,” that Cat Empire had found their distinct style, creating an endlessly enthusiastic, party-driven record that made them one of the most exciting bands on the airwaves.
The band toured extensively in support of the record before returning to the studio for their fifth release, “Cinema,” issued in June 2010, offering a more mature, yet somewhat restrained sound. The band continued to perform at major festivals, but also embarked on a serious of intimate gigs in 2011, celebrating their 10th anniversary of their first live performance. They had also travelled extensively across North America and Europe in support of their album. In May 2013, their sixth album, “Steal the Light,” found further international critical acclaim, continuing Cat Empire’s popularity both at home and overseas.
We've been watching the Cat Empire since their early days of free concerts at St Kilda. When we first saw Cat Empire they were playing on a stage at the back of St Kilda beach in Melbourne with the fronds of the palm trees overhead. Their lyrics were a perfect homage to a blistering summer's day with lines about the trams and St Kilda. We have now been away from Australia for nearly six years, two and half of which have ben in London. In that time we have seen four times but while they were their superb entertaining selves the concerts never recaptured the magic of those balmy Melbourne nights. Enter the summer concert series at Somerset House. Such an amazing venue for a concert with the river behind the building and the elegant Georgian facades surrounding the square making it feel like an intimate and secret space. Add a liberal dose of sunshine and heat and to complete the mix a cheery contingent of happy Aussie fans seeing their beloved Cats once more.
Families had dressed themselves and their children in Cats tee shirts, numerous cat's ears were being worn with pride, with the tongue firmly planted in the cheek and so many classic and fun tropical shirts in all colours of the rainbow boded for a great night ahead. The concert was opened by Lucinda Bell and her orchestra who performed an amazing set that got the whole crowd in foot tapping mood. Lucinda has a magnificent voice which she uses to great effect. The harp was a nice touch and added even more class to an already classy setup. And then, a short while later, out came the Cats. Opening with Still Young they had the entire crowd dancing in moments. Hands were thrown in the air with many enthusiasts singing along. By the time they got to Sly the whole place was on the move with the dancing get livelier and the energy level getting higher and higher.
And just when we thought it couldn't get to be any more fun during The Wine Song Harry suggested the crowd grab friends and others in the crowd and dance in circles like Zorba and we all willing obliged to the sight of smiles and the sounds of much laughter. By the end we were all grinning ear to ear and I think the entire crowd had made new friends. And during the madness of The Chariot we knew we had found that magic again the first drew us to this band; The Cats were back! At the end of The Chariot and encore we all walked out of our musical haven smiling with and fantastic feel good feeling.
An experience I can recommend to every-one; be sure to go to Somerset House for a concert and be sure to see the Cat Empire. Thank you Cats for bringing so much joy to all of us; see you next time you are back in London or maybe when we are back down in Australia.
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