The Eastern European five-piece Paprika Balkanicus come on stage decked out in professional attire- suits and ties minus the jacket (fedora optional). The traditional Balkan and Gypsy music they play is high energy and the crowd is instantly receptive to the band’s suggestions of making a dance circle, clapping your hands, whooping louder, stomping your feet, and so on and so on. The boys are very charismatic and funny, and the crowd adores their accents, silly boppy dancing and silly humour. The feeling is reciprocated, and it is obvious that the boys from Romania/Slovenia/Serbia are also thoroughly enjoying themselves, and take great satisfaction in seeing the audience pumped by their instrumental mastery.

With a violinist, double bassist, two accordion players and an acoustic guitarist making up their ensemble, there was sure to be many moments of skill-appreciative awe that one can only find in the older, more traditionally orchestral instruments. Violinist, Bogdan Vacarescu, is a prime example of this- his fingers move at lightning speed, and the bow even faster, which created – œwow’, Scream – œ0’ faces across the audience. The classical sound of the violin brought dignity and subtle emotion to the fervoured Gypsy music, making for a passionate, foot-stomping set.

The Cat Empire are seasoned live players, so why not promote their new live show CD, Live on Earth with a live show? That’s a great idea.

Everyone in the packed out house is familiar with Cat Empire. I get the feeling most of the audience have seen them at least once before. So most punters expect them to do their usual- that every song be extended by a mega jam session/solo instrumental in the middle. Unfortunately this novelty wears off. Their skills are amazing, but they need not be individually displayed at such regular intervals.

The set was very schizophrenic, for example rollercoastering from the mammoth wonderment that is The Darkness and then straight into the laughable Fishies. I can never break out of my mood fast enough to catch up with the band’s turbulent and quick switched sentiment. They certainly aren’t in any jeopardy of being called boring.

The highlights were, for certain, vocalist/trumpeter Harry James ’s parts, which have been growing recently. He clearly outstrips fellow vocalist Felix Riebl in the singing department, wowing us with the way he manipulates his voice and uses mike techniques to create different styles, and his range is amazing. From Indian-type chanting to breathless rap- and his trumpeting skills are not to be forgotten- Harry James is simply incredible. Maybe this can all be put down to his lung capacity?

Both Felix and Harry direct the band well. At one point, Paprika Balkanicus comes on stage for a jam and The Wine Song. In this Harry halts the now 12-piece orchestra in the middle of the tune and says, – œStop, you fucked it up, you’re supposed to go “suuuuuuuuun”. Start again.’ And then, – œI guess when you write about drinking no one will remember how it goes.’ And we all laughed.

In My Pocket was particularly good, with an inclusion of creepy echoes of voice and instrument part way through (props to the sound tech), creating an – œeye of the storm’ reverence in the room. That is, until the spell is broken with an uproar of – œnanananana nanana na na na na’s’. Fantastic.

The encore song was The Chariot to which Felix remarks he always plays it last because, – œit is about and for the audience who The Cat Empire are most grateful.’ I don’t think he’s lying. Appreciative applause ensues and then a great singalong to polish it off.

The boys are a great live act- and they should be after a ridiculous amount of performances. Their sound is hard to pidgeonhole and this concert certainly endorsed this thought. Their music is for more than dancing, and the audience truly appreciates them as musicians and song-writers. Let’s hope they continue their love of touring, and the fans will be sure to keep coming back for more. And more.