If you told me ‘The Cat Empire can sell out the Forum’ I probably wouldn’t have believed you. The band played sold out club shows in September 2007 for Melbourne fans, but apart from festivals and the odd outdoor gig they haven’t been seen around much. What more they haven’t released any new stuff since ‘07, focusing on touring the globe and releasing a live CD. Despite these qualifiers, the band’s popularity has only increased because the masses turned up on cue for the hometown return of the Cat Empire. People stood shoulder to shoulder on the floor area, and the aisles were packed with those ready to party. All The Cat Empire had to do was show up and play, but that’s not their style.

The Cat Empire also picks their support acts, and on this even they selected a fine one. After a short trip to Australian shores in 2008, Paprika Balkanicus made a triumphant return to Melbourne and proved that they can bring it, no matter how big or small the venue is. Made up of five eastern Europeans who somehow found each other in various non-Balkan areas of the globe, Paprika play fast tempo gypsy tunes that are perfect dancing, clapping, and stomping to. ‘We’re going to play this one 9/8, and we want you to clap along,’ said guitarist Vlad Jocic, as he lead the crowd in a clap of 1-2/1-2/1-2-3. It’s hard to look away from violin player Bogdan Vacarescu because he hands zip up and down his instrument, not just keeping up with the speed of song Splet but leading it. Bass player Jozef Secnik’s joy shoots off his face, seemingly finding it hard to believe how much the crowd is enjoying the set. He urges the crowd to purchase their CD if they like the songs, and if they don’t to purchase one for their enemy. The crowd stopped along with closer Micka and more than a few headed towards the merch table following the conclusion.

With a backdrop of lit up blue skyscrapers, each member of The Cat Empire hit the stage to loud applause. ‘We are the Cat Empire, it’s nice to be home,’ said Felix Riebl and we were off to the races, with the band playing So Many Nights as an opener. Riebl declared that they were going to mix it up playing some older material with some newer stuff, but it had the good old Cat Empire trademark of extending the songs while letting each person on stage complete a solo. Is it good that Harry Angus gets six minutes to himself for a scat solo? Yes. Is it interesting for all six minutes? Maybe not, with more than a few heading towards the bar. Fortunately the shorter, more exciting stuff returned to the forefront with Days Like These and - œTil The Ocean Takes Us All getting the floor to jump around whilst swinging their arms.

At this stage of the show, Felix explained that the almost non-stop touring of the past few years has caused the band to change the way they play, bringing members of other bands on stage to perform with The Cat Empire. With that, on popped Paprika Balkanicus for a couple of songs. After The Cat Empire performed a Paprika tune, the eastern Europeans helped perform The Wine Song with all people on stage and most of the audience swaying from right to left. Vlad Jocic, enjoying the moment decides to stage dive before surfing the audience. The crowd sing the – œna na na’s’ of In My Pocket and then cheer loudly when Felix pops out an oldie with Hello. For an encore, Felix’s younger brother Max popped on stage to provide soprano vocals for Miserere which had the crowd quite quiet. They got loud for finale The Chariot, dancing and singing until the crowd were off the stage.

Outside the venue, many walked into the city singing the words from the final song whilst exclaiming what a good performance The Cat Empire on. The Cat Empire is a band that never disappoint when it comes to live shows, and the choice of support in Paprika Balkanicus was also fantastic. What more, they adjust seamlessly to venues whether big or small, indoors or outdoors. Here’s hoping after they return to the studio that they can pull further stunning live performances from their bag of tricks.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG HERE