The Cat Empire

I went to the most fantastic concert in July. Okay, I know I say that after every concert but I really mean it this time. I could die tomorrow and and know I've seen the best concert of my life. Yep, it was that good.

The concert was for one of my favorite bands “The Cat Empire”. I discovered them several years ago while watching a terrible (sorry Wyatt) home movie that my nephew posted on YouTube. As I was watching the terrible video I began to love the song that was playing in the background. I remember sending my nephew a text to ask him the name of the band and as soon as he responded I downloaded one of their albums. The next day I downloaded their second album and LOVED it. I remember wishing that they had more music on iTunes. After some research I discovered that they also had an additional album that was never released in the US and it was only available in Australia. I may have spent $40 to order a copy a CD from Australia.

Did I mention that the group was one of the top bands in Australia? I must admit that until I did some research I thought they were THE top band but apparently that is false. They were on the Aussie charts for six weeks starting in February 2013 when their newest album was released. However, I don’t think that really means they are one of the top bands in Australia, but they should be.

Last month I was wasting some time on the internet and I discovered that The Cat Empire was going to have a limited concert tour in the US. My heart rate sped up and my breathing quickened from excitement. After a quick perusal of the list I saw that the closest they were coming to Indy was Chicago. The light-bulb went on over my head and I knew I had to go to that concert. I immediately texted my friend Erica who lives in Chicago to see if she would be willing to put me up for the night and to see if she wanted to go to the concert with me. She was very gracious about giving me a place to stay but she hedged a bit when I asked her if she would go with me. I tried to sweeten the deal by offered to pay for her ticket in exchange for the free lodging unfortunately, she still wasn't interested. I WANTED to go but I also knew I wouldn't want to go alone. It wasn't that I was embarrassed to be alone, I do things by myself from time to time but I really like to share special experiences with other people. For me, many activities just never feel as special as when they are shared with friends or family.

On a whim I texted my favorite concert buddy from Indy to see if she would be interested in going with me. To my absolute surprise and delight she said yes. I couldn't believe she was willing to go with me. I think that was the moment that I actually did the happy dance. I quickly purchased our tickets and made the arrangements for our visit. My friend had never heard of the band but she was willing to give them a try because we have very similar tastes in music and she wanted to visit Chicago.

Plans were made and we headed up to Chicago on Wednesday after a half day of work. We got there early enough to have dinner with my friends and they were generous enough to teach us how to use the train system and let us borrow their transportation cards.

The concert was held at the House of Blues downtown and it was nice to have a chance to visit such an iconic venue. The interior of the building was beautiful and it had the big open dance area for people to stand near the stage. We arrived about 9pm and the opening band, Blackalicous, had just taken the stage. Neither of us were very interested in their music so we found a table in the bar on the second floor to wait for their set to be over. The two guys seemed to have loads of energy and stage presence but their musical style was not my thing and I really couldn't see how they fit with The Cat Empire. I found out at intermission that The Cat Empire sat in a box seat on the third level and watched the opening band’s entire set.

When the opening act was finished we made our way back downstairs so we could stand as close as we could to the stage. I love to be able to see the artists facial expressions because it helps me feel connected during the concert. If I can’t see them I often feel disengaged and start to think about other things. If I am paying my hard earned money to see a concert I don’t ever want to feel like I could be listening to their CD from home.

After about 30 minutes of waiting the lights dimmed, the curtain opened and the band took the stage. They played for and hour and forty five minutes and I was in bliss the entire time. The band had two lead singers and when Felix took the stage and started singing the opening song my heart melted. I immediately developed a schoolgirl crush and LOVED him. He was so beautiful and free and his presence took up the entire stage. He sung and we listened. He had our full attention. I’m sure every straight girl would have gone home with him. Hell, even the gay women would have gone home with him. He was the perfect package. I joked with my friend that if you were lucky enough to take him home with you he must sing in your ear all night. 

So he sang and then Harry would sing. They took turns. According to Wikipedia Harry is credited with having the lead vocals. His voice is very interesting but Felix is the gold of the group. Harry just lacks a bit of stage presence while Felix fills the stage. One of the best things about the concert was how the band worked so well with each other. They introduced everyone twice and every person had a solo so they would have a chance to shine in the concert. You could tell that they were very comfortable working together and were respectful toward each other.

The audience loved the band and music. The room was full of energy and excited people. Most people were dancing and living in the moment. Usually, dancing isn't my thing. I often feel awkward and self conscious but not that night. I just moved my arms and legs and sang when I knew the words. I never took my phone out of my pocket and I enjoyed every minute of the concert. The best part was that I was crushed when they finished. Even though it was midnight and I was tired and my feet hurt I could have stayed in that spot watching the band and dancing all night long.

The people standing around us were very entertaining. There was a young hippie guy next to us who had long brown hair to his waist and he took pleasure in swinging it around and having it touch everyone. He was a super exuberant dancer and he was dripping in sweat. There were was also a wide range of ages and ethnicities. Actually, I was rather surprised to see such a diverse crowd. I thought it would be a young hipster type audience and that wasn't the case. Just a large variety of people and the know how to party hard in Chicago.

There was one point in the concert where Felix

asked us to link arms with our neighbors and sway with them. Then he had us come together to make circles of dancing people in the room. Everyone around me participated. Normally, I wouldn't be too keen on putting my arms around two strange men in a concert but Felix had a way to get us to do what he wanted. I put my arms around the sweaty guys and danced in circles with them. Bizarre! You must think that this strange behavior from me must be attributed to alcohol but it wasn't. I only had one drink all evening. I was doing these uncharacteristic things, like dancing and singing in public, without the power of several Vodka Cranberries.

When the fun ended and the concert was over we made our way to the train to take it back to Erica’s house. When the train arrived cars were crowded and there was no place to sit. Let me remind you that it was 1am on a Wednesday night and the train was full. Apparently, people don’t sleep in Chicago. It was very strange to me to see so many people out and about and active on a school night. So different than Indianapolis. This visit was the first time that I've ever considered moving to Chicago. I loved the little neighborhood where my friends lived near Wrigley field. The public transport was easy to use and the neighborhoods were vibrant and teeming with interesting people.

We arrived at my friends apartment around 1ish and we were both still very excited and revved up from the concert. I think we sat in the kitchen drinking water and talking for over an hour. I know I needed to talk so I could relax enough to sleep for the night. I didn't want to go to bed and just lay their remembering the concert. Mornings suck when that happens.

We did the tourist thing on Thursday. After a leisurely morning we drove up and down Lake Shore drive looking at the lake and downtown. Then we headed into the heart of the tall buildings to park and find some food. We found one street parking space but it was tiny. I mean really small. I tried to maneuver into the spot but after I bumped the other car I knew I couldn't get it in. I let Kristine take over and she finally managed to fit my average car in a tiny little spot. There was much laughing and bumping but we got it in there. For the privilege of parking on the street we had to pay $8 fricking dollars for two hours. I felt robbed. After a delicious lunch I drove us to the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Oak Park so we could tour. This was my second visit to the house but I was still excited to see it and absorb the beautiful architecture.

I managed to get home at 11:15pm on Thursday night with my ass hurting but feeling fantastic. The PTO was well spent and the memory of that concert is going to be in my brain for a very long time.