The Cat Empire New Album “Bird In Paradise” Out Today
Born out of raw energy and spontaneity, this record began as an experiment rather than a deliberate project. Lead singer Felix Riebl had long envisioned a flamenco-inspired album, and the seeds for this idea—planted during sessions for their last album, Where The Angels Fall — finally flourished into an electrifying and cohesive body of work.
The journey to Bird in Paradise was a serendipitous one. Initially intended as a collection of individual tracks, the album began to take shape within the first few days of recording. The title track was even written in a whirlwind, late-night session just before recording began—an emblem of the chaotic creativity that defines the album.
The band has released a captivating video for the title track, featuring Felix Riebl and Grace Barbé singing in Creole, the native language of the Seychelles.
“Epitomising the phrase multiculturalism better than most”
– BBC
“The Cat Empire’s new era is a bold and vibrant reinvigoration of one of Australia’s most exciting bands.”
– Beat Mag
“The Cat Empire aren’t so much a band, they’re a live music institution.”
– Double J
“…….the Cat Empire has created a style inimitably its own”
– The Australian
Today The Cat Empire release their vibrant and liberating tenth studio album Bird in Paradise out via BMG Australia.
This album breaks new ground with the most languages ever featured on a Cat Empire record, a vibrant celebration of the band’s boundless creativity. It’s a kaleidoscope of cultures woven into their unmistakable sound, making every track a global experience.
The album’s flamenco inspiration brought together a broader creative team than ever before. Longtime collaborators RichardTedesco and Music Director Roscoe James Irwin, alongside the core band members Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill were involved early in the writing process, enriching the sound with strings, horns, and subtle, intricate arrangements. Band member Lazaro Numa’s contributions to the horn section added another layer of depth, Grace Barbé co-wrote four of the tracks on the album, while the entire ensemble leaned into their individual strengths, creating a record that celebrates the collective talent of this musical family.
‘La Gracia’ is a vibrant tapestry of global influences, inspired by trumpeter Lazaro’s first journey to Spain with the band. ‘Blood on the Stage’ channels the pulsating energy of The Cat Empire’s European tour. ‘Doing Fine’ is a self-affirming burst of vibrancy, brimming with edgy and dynamic energy.
The band are thrilled to announce exclusive pop-up album launch shows in Sydney and Melbourne this weekend! Expect electrifying free live performances, a chance to meet the band, and signed vinyl and CDs available for purchase.
Sydney fans can catch the band live for an acoustic performance at Martin Place on Friday March 21 at 12.45pm AEDT, then keep the energy going at Jam Vinyl Bar for an intimate album listening party at 2pm AEDT, just a short walk away. Spots are first in best dressed and limited for the listening party so get in quick! The band will head to Melbourne on Saturday March 22 for an epic performance at the iconic Fed Square at 5pm AEDT.
To further celebrate the album launch, The Cat Empire are excited to give fans the chance to win the ultimate Disney adventure. Grab ‘Bird In Paradise’ on vinyl, CD, or digital download from their official shop (https://TheCatEmpire.lnk.to/shopPR) before March 27, answer one simple question, and you’ll be in the running for an unforgettable trip for four to see the band live at Disney World in Florida, U.S. The prize covers flights, four nights’ accommodation, three-day park passes, an exclusive meet & greet and access to the Garden Rocks Concert Series at Epcot on May 30 & 31.
Before hitting the road for a huge 57-date tour across North America, Europe, and the UK, the band will first take the stage at the opening night of Great Southern Nights in Thirroul tonight, followed by a set at Bluesfest next month.
Bird In Paradise marks a triumphant return to a more organic, “live in the room” sound. From the outset, the band made the bold decision to ditch the fragmented methods of modern production, opting instead to capture the magic of musicians playing together in the same space. The result is electrifying—an album that crackles with vitality, pulling you straight into the heart of the action, as if you’re right there with the band, soaking in every note of their undeniable chemistry.
For fans, this album offers a refreshing callback to The Cat Empire’s earlier days, while showcasing the wisdom and musicality they’ve honed over two decades. It’s a testament to their ability to create worlds within their music—worlds that are expansive, colourful, and authentic. With Bird in Paradise, The Cat Empire prove they’re not just making music; they’re building a legacy that continues to surprise, inspire, and soar.
BIRD IN PARADISE TRACKLISTING:
BIRD IN PARADISE
BLOOD ON THE STAGE
SHOOTING STAR
GOING TO LIVE
LA GRACIA
DEVIL
DOING FINE
OH EH
SPARROW IN THE NIGHT
BLACKOUT BLUES
THE CAT EMPIRE TOUR DATES
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
Fri 21 March 2025 | Anitas Theatre (Great Southern Nights) – Wollongong NSW, AUS SOLD OUT
Sat 19 April 2025 | Bluefest – Byron Bay NSW, AUS
Fri 30 May 2025 | Epcot (Disney World) – Florida, USA
Sat 31 May 2025 | Epcot (Disney World) – Florida, USA
Mon 2 June 2025 | Terminal West – Atlanta GA, USA
Tue 3 June 2025 | Basement End – Nashville TN, USA
Thur 5 June 2025 | Tipitina’s – New Orleans LA USA
Fri 6 June 2025 | Mohahwk – Austin TX, USA
Sat 7 June 2025 | The Kessler Theatre – Dallas TX, USA
Mon 9 June 2025 | Museum of Instruments – Phoenix AZ, USA
Tue 10 June 2025| Belly Up – San Diego CA, USA
Wed 11 June 2025 | Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles CA, USA
Thur 12 June 2025 | August Hall – San Francisco CA, USA
Sat 14 June 2025 |Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver BC, CAN SOLD OUT
Sun 15 June 2025 | Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver BC, CAN
Tue 17 June 2025 | The Neptune Theatre – Seattle WA, USA
Wed 18 June 2025 | Shrine Social Club – Boise ID, USA
Thur 19 June 2025 | Sawtooth Gathering Festival – Stanley ID, USA
Fri 20 June 2025 | The Commonwealth Room – Salt Lake City UT, USA
Sat 21 June 2025 | Mishawaka Amphitheatre – Bellevue CO, USA
Mon 23 June 2025 | Wooly’s – Des Moines UA, USA
Tue 24 June 2025 | Fine Line – Minneapolis MN, USA
Thur 26 June | Waterfest – Oshkosh WI, USA
Fr 27 June 2025 | Thatlia Hall – Chicago IL, USA
Sat 28 June 2025 | Summerfest – Milwakee WI, USA
Sun 29 June 2025 | Bell’s Garden – Kalamazoo MI, USA
Mon 30 June 2025 | Danforth Music Hall – Toronto ON, CAN
Wed 2 July 2025 | Montreal Jazz Festival at MTELUS – Montreal QC, CAN
Fri 4 July 2025 | Calgary Stampede Festival – Calgary AB, CAN
Sat 5 July 2025 | Festival De’te – Quebec QC, CAN
Sun 6 July 2025 | Festirame Festival – Quebec QC, CAN
Tue 8 July 2025 | The Sinclair – Boston MA, USA
Wed 9 July 2025 | Irving Plaza – New York NY, USA
Thur 10 July 2025 | Ottawa Bluesfest – Ottawa ON, CAN
Fri 11 July 2025 | Winnipeg Folk Festival – Winnipeg AB, CAN
Sat 23 Aug 2025 | Mundi Bash – Broken Hill NSW, AUS
Tue 16 Sep 2025 | Sagres Campo Pequeno – Lisbon, Portugal
Thur 18 Sep 2025 | La Riviera – Madrid, Spain
Sat 20 Sep 2025 | Auditorio Parque Fofo – Murcia, Spain
Mon 22 Sep 2025 | La Sala – Valencia, Spain
Tues 23 Sep 2025 | Santana 27 – Bilbao, Spain
Wed 24 Sep 2025 | Razzmatazz 1 – Barcelona, Spain
Fri 26 Sep 2025 | La Paloma – Nimes, France
Sat 27 Sep 2025 | Magazzini – Milan, Italy
Sun 28 Sep 2025 | Xtra – Zurich, Switzerland
Mon 29 Sep 2025 | Wagenhallen – Stuttgart, Germany
Wed 1 Oct 2025 | Tonhalle – Munich, Germany
Thur 2 Oct 2025 | Gasmeter – Vienna, Austria
Fri 3 Oct 2025 | Archa Theatre – Prague, Czech Republic
Sun 5 Oct 2025 | Huxleys – Berlin, Germany
Mon 6 Oct 2025 | E-Work – Cologne, Germany
Tue 7 Oct 2025 | Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands SOLD OUT
Wed 8 Oct 2025 | Georg Elser Halle – Hamburg, Germany
Fri 10 Oct 2025 | TivoliVredenburg – Ultrecht, Netherlands SOLD OUT
Mon 13 Oct 2025 | AB – Brussels, Belgium
Tues 14 Oct 2025 | Bataclan – Paris, France
Thur 16 Oct 2025 | Academy – Bournmouth, UK
Fri 17 Oct 2025 | Bristol Academy – Bristol, UK
Sat 18 Oct 2025 | Bristol Academy – Bristol, UK
Mon 20 Oct 2025 | O2 Institute 1 – Birmingham, UK
Tue 21 Oct 2025 | Manchester Albert Hall – Manchester, UK
Thur 23 Oct 2025 | Leeds Beckett Students Union – Leeds, UK
Sat 25 Oct 2025 | Troxy – London, UK
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