Australian funk-roots-rock legends The Cat Empire are soon to embark on a second incarnation led by Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill, but the original group known for 'Hello', 'Two Shoes', 'The Lost Song' and 'The Chariot' will reunite for one final performance when they headline Bluesfest's 2022 opening night.
"Our very last show of the original line-up has just been announced this morning to take place at Bluesfest Byron Bay 2022, on Thursday, April 14," the band says."This is officially the final time we will play with our original line-up.
"Our relationship with Bluesfest and Peter Noble and his team harks WAY back to 2004 when we played our very first East Coast Blues & Roots Festival.
"At that point, it was the biggest stage we had played, to the largest audience, and the pressure was ON to deliver. Fair to say it was terrifying right up until the moment it was pure joy which was about four minutes into the set!
"We have since gone on to perform a crazy 16 shows at this iconic Australian festival. Let's do this one last time Bluesfest."
Set to join The Cat Empire on Bluesfest's main stage on the Thursday will be Caravãna Sun and Tijuana Cartel.
"It's going to be a magnificent celebration when The Cat Empire play their final ever show Easter Thursday at Bluesfest after 20 years, including an incredible 16 performances at Bluesfest in that time," Festival Director, Peter Noble OAM says.
"We always believed they would be a major band, everywhere, when we first saw them play at the Prince Bandroom, St Kilda, all those years ago, and booked them as a result.
"Now they are known and loved all over the world. It will be interesting to see what everyone from the original line-up does in future.
"Felix & Ollie have advised they will be launching The Cat Empire II soon. . . can't wait, but meantime. . . we get to say 'Goodbye, Goodbye' before we say 'Hello, Hello' again."
Tickets to Bluesfest 2022 are available.
Bluesfest 2022 takes place at Byron Events Farm (Byron Bay) 14-18 April.
Bluesfest 2022 Line-up
Midnight OilPaul Kelly
Jimmy Barnes
The Teskey Brothers
Amy Shark
The Cat Empire
Six60
Fat Freddy's Drop
L.A.B
John Butler
Xavier Rudd
Missy Higgins
Casey Barnes
Kasey Chambers
Hoodoo Gurus
Stan Walker
Ian Moss
The Living End
Pete Murray
The Waifs
Jon Stevens
Kate Ceberano
John Williamson
Caravana Sun
Ross Wilson And The Peaceniks
The Angels
The Church
Renee Geyer
Tex Perkins The Man In Black
Vika & Linda
Hiatus Kaiyote
Weddings Parties Anything
The Black Sorrows
Kate Miller-Heidke
Baker Boy
Mark Seymour & The Undertow
Diesel
Tijuana Cartel
Russell Morris
Kevin Borich Express
Troy Cassar-Daley
CW Stoneking
Josh Teskey & Ash Grunwald
Lachy Doley & The Horns Of Conviction
All Our Exes Live In Texas
Briggs
Chain
The Bamboos
Backsliders
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
19-Twenty
Ash Grunwald
Henry Wagons
Sam Teskey
Jeff Lang
Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers
Kara Grainger
Jeff Martin plays The Songs Of Led Zeppelin
Ray Beadle
Pacey, King & Doley
Nathan Cavaleri
Kim Churchill
Fools
Mama Kin Spender
Dami Im
Pierce Brothers
Emily Wurramara
Lisa Hunt's Forever Soul
The Buckleys
Mick Thomas' Roving Commission
Daniel Champagne
JK-47
The Regime
Garrett Kato
Hussy Hicks
Roshani
Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers
Little Georgia
Round Mountain Girls
Hat Fitz & Cara
Electrik Lemonade
Lambros.
Palm Valley
Byron Busking Competition
Rockwiz Live
