The Cat Empire announce huge national tour in celebration of vibrant new album 

The beloved genre-bending icons are set to light up stages across the country this August, announcing a national tour in celebration of their colourful and kinetic tenth studio album, Bird in Paradise.

With a reputation for unmissable live shows and musical innovation, The Cat Empire will bring their borderless sound to cities and regional centres, including a mix of 18+ and all ages performances.

The Cat Empire Australian Tour 2025

with special guests Little Quirks

• Sat 9 August – Freo Social, Fremantle (18+)
• Sun 10 August – Freo Social, Fremantle (All Ages Matinee)
• Fri 15 August – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
• Sat 16 August – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle (18+)
• Sat 23 August – Mundi Mundi Bash, Broken Hill NSW (All Ages)
• Thu 28 August – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast (12+)
• Fri 29 August – The Tivoli, Brisbane (All Ages)
• Sun 31 August – Munro Martin Parklands, Cairns (All Ages)
• Thu 4 September – Odeon Theatre, Tasmania (All Ages)
• Fri 5 September – Civic Hall, Ballarat (18+)
• Sat 6 September – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne (18+)
• Sun 7 September – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne (All Ages)
• Tickets: available here from 22 May

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Out now via BMG Australia, Bird in Paradise is The Cat Empire at their most expansive and electrifying — a rich sonic tapestry woven with flamenco, funk, jazz, Latin and Creole influences. It’s a record born of spontaneity and joy, recorded live in-studio and driven by the chemistry that has defined the band for over two decades.

“We didn’t set out to make this record — it found us,” says frontman Felix Riebl. “It’s a celebration of spontaneity, togetherness, and letting music lead the way.”

This new chapter for The Cat Empire is less about reinvention and more about rediscovery — a return to the group’s instinctive roots, where groove, storytelling and celebration collide. Bird in Paradise pulses with life and rhythm, offering a snapshot of a band still evolving while staying true to their unmistakable sound.

To mark the release, The Cat Empire will hit the road for a run of headline shows across the country, joined by special guests Little Quirks. From intimate theatres to open-air festivals, the 2025 tour promises an immersive experience — think flamenco dancers, kaleidoscopic visuals, and an infectious atmosphere that captures the spirit of the album.

Known for creating live shows that blur the lines between performance and party, the band’s new tour will offer something for long-time fans and newcomers alike.

From the first beat to the last, Bird in Paradise is a celebration of culture, rhythm and connection — and this tour is set to bring that energy to life across the country.

words by staff writer