This is one unpredictable Cat

Audiences of Cat Empire should always 'expect the unexpected'.

Aussie outfit headed for Splore won’t be pigeon-holed, writes Paula Yeoman

The publicity material for this year's Splore Festival describes Australian collective Cat Empire as one of the world's greatest party bands. It's a big statement and one that makes frontman Felix Riebl squirm a little in his seat.

"I don't love the expression 'party band'," he says, before taking a long thoughtful pause, careful not to cause any kind of offence to the festival organisers and promoters. "I guess it's just not my choice of words."

It's not that he's in any doubt that Cat Empire can live up to the reputation. The tens of thousands who packed into Melbourne's Federation Square for the band's 1000th show last year will attest to that.

Rather, it's just that with an ever-evolving act such as this, there are no rules. And audiences must always expect the unexpected.

"It does move around a lot and really, we change from night to night. It's a band that continues to surprise me," he says.

"I feel like the band is one that a lot of people have travelled with and probably celebrated with as well. But what goes into a show is a whole range of feelings.

"There's definitely an intensity of rhythm and things like that. But there are ballads, too."

Riebl concedes Cat Empire haven't visited New Zealand nearly as often as they should have, but he is thrilled they're getting to perform at Splore, which focuses not only on music and the arts, but also on environmental sustainability.

"For a musician it's a difficult one, because you obviously burn a lot of fuel to travel around the world - we're not particularly environmentally friendly in that way. And yet, I think music is an important part of society, " says Riebl.

"So it's great if we can continue to learn and perhaps find ways to be involved in musical movements that are sustainably directed."

And, Riebl's over the moon that Cat Empire's "expected the unexpected" ethos fits with Splore's "anything goes" vision.

Cat Empire can't be pigeon-holed. "That inability to really describe our music is fantastic," he says.

"And to not have a genre to fit in is reflected in the shows, because if you don't know what to expect, anything can happen."

And, if it ever becomes predictable?

"That's the day the band should finish."

Splore runs from February 20-22 at Tapapakanga Regional Park.

**Click here for the full line-up