The Cat Empire
If you suffer from S.A.D. or Seasonal Affective Disorder, the best medicine available at the moment is The Adelaide Cabaret Festival. The Cat Empire concert was a powerful tonic, packed with energetic, sunshine music that had the entire theatre dancing in their seats and then up on their feet, cheering, singing and clapping along to the music.
Cat Empire added to their classic hits with four guest artistes - adding another big spoonful of happiness as the circus style performances added hula hooping, a bucket-balancing contortionist, a dancing girl and a gymnastic bowler-hatted juggler. The number of acts was just right, adding to the musical numbers but not detracting from the musicians.
And it was for the music that people came along. They were not disappointed; the musicianship was superb. Latin rhythms met jazz, had a brief affair with the Caribbean, visited North Africa and flirted with punk, had a shot of ska and an injection of funk for luck. This fusion of genres is what makes up Cat Empire’s unique sound, music that makes you want to dance and puts a smile on your face.
The brass section is the key sound and it was great to be able to see how the two trumpeters and trombonist traded bars, until the music ended on a fabulous climax with all three brass players playing into the same mike.
“Music is the language that we love!” and core members Felix Riebl (percussion and vocals), Harry James Angus (trumpet and vocals), Will Hull-Brown (drums), Jamshid "Jumps" Khadiwhala (decks, percussion), Ollie McGill (keyboard and backing vocals), and Ryan Monro (bass and backing vocals) all had an opportunity to solo and shine in the spotlight.
After a cheering, stamping, standing ovation that insisted on an encore, the audience walked out re-energised from a powerful infusion of sun-filled music. Just what the doctor ordered!
Sally Putnam
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