Project Description

  THE CAT EMPIRE CARNIVALE

@ FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE 

14/12/18

(Live Review)

Reviewer: Vicky Hebbs 

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THE CAT EMPIRE // Photo – Karen Lowe

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The Cat Empire Carnivale is not simply a concert; it is essentially a festival. It is clear when I arrive this is a concert for all-ages and types; there are a smattering of obviously ska-loving ‘cats,’ eclectic hippies, and then pretty much everyone else besides. There seems to be no obvious age demographic, just people who like to dress in exciting colours and who dig funk, soul, ska and jazz.

An intricate archway that says “The Cat Empire Carnival” leads you into a festival-style wonderland. There are a number of what can only be described as hippy stalls, selling a variety of items and services such as woven and beaded bags and reflexology massages. There is also a silent disco, and seating areas across the lush lawn.

Just around the corner in a tiny courtyard, Randa and the Soul Kingdom are whipping up a Latin storm. The lead singer, a woman dressed in a magnificent orange jumpsuit, beckons the crowd to form a “soul train.” We split in two halves of the crowd, and one by one people groove down the soul train to the back. It is truly spectacular, like stumbling into a tango bar.

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RANDA & THE SOUL KINGDOM // Photo – Karen Lowe

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There are also a few vans selling tasty vegan and non-vegan foods, as well as the Junkadelic Brass Band walking around and playing their assortment of drums and brass instruments. On the main stage, Fremantle’s folk-pop queen Lucy Peach is on in the afternoon, accompanied by an electric guitarist.

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JUNKADELIC BRASS BAND // Photo – Karen Lowe

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The main stage support act before the headline act is Odette, a singer from Sydney who has taken Australia by storm this year with her beautiful melodies and soulful vocals. Self-described as “the only revenge, Mean Girls song [she has] ever written,” Odette’s single Take it to the Heart is an upbeat and empowering song. With fiery vocals and a powerful melody, it is even more inspiring live to watch her fans in the crowd captivated and dancing ferociously to the beat as her voice rises to the chorus. Her first single, Watch Me Read You is a spine-tingling work of spoken word poetry in song form. It made in to #56 in last year’s Triple J Hottest 100, and remains one of her truly standout songs. Odette also plays a cover of Gang of Youth’s Magnolia, made famous in her Triple J Like A Version cover.

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ODETTE // Photo – Karen Lowe

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The sun is setting in a warm red glow as The Cat Empire take to the stage. They kick off with Ready Now, an explosive song that draws everyone immediately to the main stage area.

The second song of the set, Wolves, is one of their more mainstream songs that strays into pop territory. It has a punchy beat and plenty of electronica, with a rhythm you cannot resist dancing to. The chorus hits you with some contrast, characterised by a simpler rhythm than the rest of the song and addictive vocals.

Now it’s time for a Latin dance-fest, with Sol Y Sombra. Zesty and trumpet heavy, the crowd that has just been jumping up and down are now swinging their hips and twirling their wrists to the beat.  The band segue neatly into Sly after a delicious trumpet solo. Sly’s lyrics are punchy, with smooth quick-talking vocals.

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THE CAT EMPIRE // Photo – Karen Lowe

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The Cat Empire’s music cycles through a plethora of genres; from ska, to Latin music, alt music to reggae and back again, often all in the same song.

Stolen Diamonds is soulful and has a stronger focus on the vocals, while How to Explain starts with  a distinctly Latin flavour. How to Explain is from their self-titled 2003 album, that also contains the radio favourites Hello and One Four Five, which do not make it into the set tonight. How to Explain packs a punch, reinvigorating the fast-paced dance party that the crowd before them is loving. The song fades out with a spacey half-minute of piano and trailing drums.

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THE CAT EMPIRE // Photo – Karen Lowe

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Other standout songs include the ethereal, bouncy Daggers Drawn, an unusual but invigorating tune that always makes me think it would belong in a Disney film set in Mexico. Then there is the smooth and jazzy Kila, and the last song before the encore, Still Young, a number with an uplifting beat and a motivating message.

They end on a solid note with Chariot. The song starts with a moody style trumpet line, and then they smash into a bouncing ska beat. Chariot flits between a bouncy optimism and slightly downbeat honesty, sharing the tale of The Cat Empire’s success as a band. There are also major hints at Latin music in the chorus melody.

From the concertgoers eclectic outfits to the music and Latin vibes, The Cat Empire Carnivale was truly a spectacle; we need more all-encompassing, good-value-for-money music experiences like this!

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THE CAT EMPIRE // Photo – Karen Lowe

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Check out Karen Lowe‘s gallery of the show HERE

Connect with THE CAT EMPIRE

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Listen to The Cat Empire‘s new single, Barricades, out now.

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AMNPLIFY – DB