The Cat Empire

I haven't really had a chance to post until today as I've been working like a fiend with Dave, preparing to get our new store ready so that we can open on Tuesday... anyway, throughout all the madness Dave and I took Thursday night off and went to see Cat Empire @ Metropolis... Now, to put the show in to context, Cat Empire were here during the Pop Montreal Festival. This basically means that any band playing during the festival will be playing to a full house as the festival has passes that (from what I understand) allow you to pretty much get in too any show. So that being said, the Metropolis was packed. Not just full but jam packed to the rafters. The only other shows @ the Metropolis that I have seen nearly as packed, were Jean Leloup shows.

My feelings about the show can only be described as bipolar. Musically the show was insane. The sound was good and to my surprise Cat Empire are a jam band. They managed to take their songs and do extended jams, often delving in to dubby dancehall reggae territory and then slowly progressing their jams into klesmer grooves. It was amazing! The response was often times deafening.

Now for the negative. I must preface this next part by saying that although I'm not claustrophobic, at shows, I don't particularly enjoy being in the middle of the crowd. I enjoy either being off to the side or in the balcony where I'm not stuck up against hoards of sweaty people. Also, being out of the crowd, allows me the space to dance if I should so please.... however, being with Dave who has the complete opposite concert philosophy, we started the show in the middle of the crowd. Within 30 seconds, the Great Wall of China suddenly rose up in front of the three of us. No, the people were not Chinese, they were just really frickin' tall. A group of about 5 guys appeared in front of us, all of whom were about 6'2. So slowly we tried to move away but the Great Wall seemed to magically follow. We began to slowly edge our way back and over... the wall doth follow. We couldn't see a thing. This scenario played itself out the entire show, until finally we ended up with our backs up against the sound-board, and it wasn't until the encore were we able to see the stage with out any obstructions. Occasionally, I was able to see the band for about 5 minute intervals but in essence, I pretty much closed my eyes, danced and cursed the hell out of the guys in front of us. I probably got to see about 1/3 of the show. Maïté however, standing in at a whopping 5'4", saw nothing... absolutely nothing. After the show, she even commented on how didn't know there was a banner behind the band as she could only see it as the lights went up and the people left the floor. It was so bad and frustrating that I honestly don't know if I want to go back to see another show. Not just Cat Empire, but any show for that matter! It really turned me off concerts. I was really pissed off.

So, my final verdict, if you get a chance to see Cat Empire, GO! Just not @ the Metropolis. I really wish I had seen them this summer @ the Jazzfest.