Cat Empire

The Cat Empire gig was packed with a broad fanbase of all ages owing to the band’s fusion of genres from salsa to reggae, via ska and jazz. The band’s two frontmen Felix Riebl and Harry Angus kept the fun factor up, doubling as percussionist and horn player. But for me it was Ollie their lead guitarist/keyboard player that had me fascinated. His face during his effortless, fast, surprising and downright amazing improvisations made me chuckle and think of Jack Black describing ‘face-melting’ solos in School Of Rock. The Cat Empire songs aren’t necessarily all that deep, but that’s not really the point: they evoke a party atmosphere that is hard to resist. Don’t go and see them if you don’t like a dance!

Concorde 2, 30 March 2016
Rating:
Dave Austin