Entertainment
23 August, 2025
Crowd pleaser is back in town
IT’S been a while, with a new album and an international tour in between, but Cairns’ favourite party band The Cat Empire is back to headline the Cairns Festival when they hit the stage at Munro Martin Park on August 31.
Trumpet player Ross Irwin said the band was overdue for a visit and they couldn’t wait to return and perform songs from their new album Bird in Paradise.
The band has a long history of performing in Cairns, with their last visit a buzz-filled two nights at the Tanks Art Centre in 2023.
“The crowd up north always brings such a great vibe,” Mr Irwin said.
“We will be leaning into songs that will fly well in the tropical festival atmosphere, while also checking back in with what we played last time in Cairns, so we can throw some variety in for the long-time fans.”
The songs from their new, and 10th studio album, Bird in Paradise, “really suit a tropical winter escape”, he added, bringing a blend of Latin, funk, flamenco and jazz.
The band recently completed a 61-date run of international shows and was now embarking on a national tour bringing the first opportunity for Australian fans to hear the new album live.
Mr Irwin said The Cat Empire would expect what they always get from the Cairns crowd – enthusiasm and a great party atmosphere, where all generations of Cat Empire fans were welcome.
The Cat Empire will be supported by indie folk band Little Quirks from New South Wales and soul/pop artist Meiia, a Cairns local.
Cairns Performing Arts Centre will also host two shows as part of the Cairns Festival program.
Circa’s exuberant take on Swan Lake with Duck Pond takes the stage on August 29-30, reimagining the romantic ballet as a circus spectacular.
On September 6, Opera Queensland’s All Together Now! blends operatic classics with toe-tapping sing-alongs, starring Queensland’s Jason Barry Smith and singers from Opera Queensland’s Young Artist program.
For the full program of music, theatre, film, dance and more, go to https://bit.ly/3HmG9df
