Sometimes I feel that going to a concert is self-inflicted torture: endless elbowing for space, constant feet trampling (high heels should be banned in concert halls) and finally the regular face-whip from the girl infront with the infuriatingingly long poney tail. Oh and don’t forget the bonus luxury spa treatment of a bath in the sweat of the stranger’s around you … hmmm yep! Nothing like a concert.
Indeed, there are not many bands that I appreciate enough to go see live but The Cat Empire is certainly one I would really suggest running the risk of going to see in concert.
As musicians they are a talented bunch; flawlessy combining jazz, hip-hop, reggae, funk, latino, tzigane and whatever else they fancy ! With a pianist, thats constantly improvises and whose golden rule is ‘never play the same thing twice’, and a vocalist/trumpetist who blows you away with his spontaneous scat singing, you are sure to amazed and entertained !
Envelopped in that inevitable crowd cloud of humidity, the music washes over you: erasing all nuggets of hatred and bitterness from your soul and soothing your keyboard fatigued finger tips. Their vibrant, feel-good beats layered under humourous but truthful lyrics are sure to make you forget the pessimistic Parisian winter outside and get you up and bopping !
I have seen this band three times already but that didn’t stop me from going to see these Australian’s play again last month in the Trianon in the 18th arrondissement. It’s the first time I have been to the Trianon: it’s a beautiful, old theatre that, although it has been transformed into a concert venue they have conserved the carved wooden balconies and with it the classic charm that comes with age.
As a result however it is quite unnerving when the crowd start to ‘bounce’ and you feel the floor beneath you move ! Panicked by the idea of the theatre caving in on your head the crowd exchange bewildered looks but… the music continues and the show must go on ! JUMP !
Whether designed deliberately to cushion the sound of hundreds of pairs of feet or simply the natural ‘give’ of the old wooden floorboards the effect is similar to that of a trampoline ! YOUPEE ! It’s fun ! You get catapulted up and down with the communal crowd sway ! Hypnotised by the musical genuis and berced and bounced by the jolts and jumps of the dance floor The Cat Empire entrance, astonish and delight !
There’s nothing like jumping out all that essay stress amongst a sweaty bundle of human bodies to the punchy melodies of a trumpet and the smooth rhythms that come together to make the summery ensemble that is The Cat Empire !
Go check out the bouncing floorboards yourselves at: Trianon (80 Boulevard de Rochechouart 75018 Paris)
The Cat Empire new albulm: Steal the light.
http://thecatempire.com/
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