The Tivoli, Brisbane
Friday May 6, 2016 :
Festival favourite and band that seem to be perennially touring, The Cat Empire, played back-to-back nights at Brisbane’s grand Tivoli Theatre. I was lucky enough to catch their first night on Friday 6 May and here’s how it went down.
Forces beyond my control forced me to miss support act, The Pierce Brothers but, judging from the line at the merch desk when I entered, they appealed perfectly to the all 30-something crowd (myself included).
As I entered the main theatre, the first thing I saw were what looked like giant dream catchers which dressed the stage, with two gold balloons displaying the number ’21’. We later learned that this was the veteran’s 21st gig at the Tivoli, and looking at the crowd it was clear that this band has retained its audience from more than a decade ago, with very few fresh young things to break up a sea of retro festival attire.
Opening the set with their catchy new hit ‘Wolves’ the audience erupted as they laid eyes on the band’s two leading men. This track, with its themes of staying relevant and not going gentle into the night are so fitting for this gig and this band, who are tight as ever and just as well loved.
Next up was another from their new LP Rising with the Sun, ‘Bulls’. Felix experienced some tech difficulties during the track but Harry stepped in to cover with a brilliant trumpet solo. This track with is reggae vibes, rising horns and triple time finish translated much better on stage, which is often the case with this high energy band.
More of The Cat Empire’s modern tracks followed with, ‘Prophets in The Sky’ and ‘Brighter Than Gold’. It was now time for an indulgent instrumental break, which this group of accomplished muso’s has surely earned, but I’m sure I wasn’t the only punter hoping for an oldie.
As though the band read our thoughts, they launched into ‘Two Shoes’ which is always a joy to witness live, followed by ‘How to Explain’. ‘Midnight’, again from the new album, performed by Harry, was next up and this was a lull in the otherwise vibrant set.
‘Steal the Light’ followed and it was just about that time of the evening where the band perform the pantomime of leaving the stage only to return three minutes later. Having performed over 1000 shows now, I can imagine this charade of the ‘encore’ is just as dull for them as it is for us.
Returning to the stage, an epic piano solo became intro to ‘The Wine Song’ and soon afterward Felix thanked Triple J’s continued support, expressed the bands appreciation at being able to still fill rooms like the Tivoli and launched into crowd favourite, ‘The Chariot’. I hope I’m here to see this band many more times in the years to come.
Reviewer: Kirsty Visman
Photographer: Chris Ward
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