The Cat Empire

In the organizer's words:

The Cat Empire are back with an exciting new line-up of talented musicians. Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill, two of the group's three founding members, continue the legacy and are the driving force behind the new era.

Among the new faces is the award-winning musician Grace Barbe, who hails from the Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles) and plays bass and sings. Cuban-born trumpeter and vocalist Lazaro Numa joins long-time brass players Ross Irwin and Kieran Conrau to form the Empire Horns. Fans of Cat Empire will be no strangers to Daniel Farrugia's drumming. He has toured with the band several times and is one of Australia's most exciting and sought-after live and studio drummers. Finally, Neda Rahmani joins the percussion section - a good friend of The Cat Empire whose love of language and community has connected her to Afro-Brazilian drumming cultures in Australia and around the world.

With her musical curiosity and boundless possibilities, this newfound spirit promises to shine an even brighter light on the band's exuberant musicality, enhancing their sound and expanding their influences.

"The world has really come full circle in the last few years, and there was a point where I realized how much I needed music and how important live music really is. We've had this great run of 20 years with the group, but The Cat Empire still has a place to play in a new moment. With a band as malleable and diverse as The Cat Empire, it's just an incredible gift that I want to breathe new love and life into," says Felix.

Their ninth studio album and debut album in the new formation Where The Angels Fall is packed with explosive, diverse sounds and pulsating energy, alongside intimate and sincere moments that will captivate the listener from start to finish. The band have managed to capture the dynamics of their live shows on the album, and with each song you are transported to a different place.

With 75 contributors and a total of 49 instruments used, Where The Angels Fall is the album with the largest number of contributors on a Cat Empire album. The 14 tracks are a melting pot of international sounds and styles, including Afro-Cuban, flamenco, Brazilian, West African, reggae, dub, New Orleans jazz, mariachi, Polynesian and reggaeton and many more, while paying homage to their hometown of Melbourne.

In summer 2024, the band will be heading to beautiful Freiburg, where they will storm the ZMF stage and heat up the circus tent.
Fans can look forward to surprise guests, new interpretations of Cat Empire classics and a powerful show that embodies the bold nature of their new album.

Price information:

Standing room