Thursday 2nd July 2009 @ Academy, Bristol
With Support From: Paprika Balkanicus

We walked through the stifling heat to the Bristol Academy hoping that as it was no longer the “Carling” Academy, we might be able to procure a decent beverage. No such luck; we were stuck with Strongbow. But no matter, as the glass doors to the stage area were opened, the crazy gypsy sounds of the support act, Paprika Balkanicus hit us.

As the name suggests, they play traditional music from the Balkans and Eastern Europe and I’ve never seen such an enthusiastic reception for a support act. The crowd were going beserk; clapping, jumping up and down and I think even doing a little conga in one corner. The guys are from Romania, Serbia and Slovenia and play violin, guitar, bass and an accordion. The music was fast, lively and tempo-tastic and the guy on the accordion moved his fingers faster than you’d believe!

After a break, the six piece funk fusion band of The Cat Empire came onstage and my first thought was; ‘My, what an attractive frontman,’ followed by; ‘Gosh! Doesn’t the drummer look young’. They started slow but soon launched into my favourite song How To Explain before an impressive A capella performance from Harry, which later on in the concert when he’d maybe got too Arabian with it, lead me to the hilarious comment; ‘Oh, that’s why they’re called The Cat Empire.’ Felix, the lead, played percussion as well as singing and had moves and smoothness that were deserving of a 50s style mic, suit and hat.

Down in the firey pit beneath the stage it was so crowded that even our belly buttons started to sweat so we made our way up the stairs for some air. It would have been amazing if the gig had been outside. The band must’ve been melting under the lights though I suppose their used to it coming from the land of Oz.

There was an impressive keyboard solo and later, with that little more space to dance, we swayed eagerly to the “oom pah pah” sounds of The Wine Song and danced vigorously to The Chariot. I didn’t even mind when they inserted a little Billie Jean into it.

The atmosphere was lovely, the band were lovely and the gig was heaps of fun!

www.thecatempire.com

Sophie Collard