Photos by Sharon Steele – The Cat Empire is an Australian band renowned for their dynamic fusion of jazz, funk, ska, rock, and Latin influences.Formed in Melbourne in 1999, the group began as a trio consisting of Felix Riebl, Ollie McGill, and Ryan Monro. They quickly expanded to a six-piece ensemble, later adding members such as Harry Angus, Will Hull-Brown, and Jamshid Khadiwala. Their self-titled debut album in 2003 showcased their eclectic sound, which defied easy categorization and drew comparisons to artists like Santana and the Buena Vista Social Club.
Over the years, The Cat Empire released several successful albums, including Two Shoes (2005), which debuted at number one on the ARIA Charts, and Cinema (2010). Their energetic live performances became legendary, with the band playing nearly 1,500 shows worldwide and headlining major festivals such as Glastonbury, Summer Sonic, and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Their music often featured multilingual lyrics and themes of cultural unity, environmental activism, and social justice.
In 2021, the band announced the end of their original lineup, with founding members Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill continuing the project. They introduced a new lineup and released the album Where the Angels Fall in 2023, which received critical acclaim and charted at number five on the ARIA Charts. The band embarked on a 40-date global tour, including performances at Glastonbury and a collaboration with Australian symphony orchestras. In March 2025, they released their tenth studio album, Bird in Paradise, continuing their legacy of genre-blending music and vibrant live shows.
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