Live Review: The Cat Empire, The Pierce Brothers

From busking on city streets to touring the world, that is what Melbourne's The Pierce Brothers have done in just a few short years. If success can be determined by your passion and joy of performing, then these brothers deserve their accolades.

Clearly having a ball on the Enmore Theatre stage for the first time, the pair's energy is infectious and their stage presence and banter is top notch. When Jack uses drumsticks on Pat's guitar and then simultaneously holds a harmonica up for him and plays a didgeridoo, you know you've seen something new. Quality Australian roots music that deserves a big stage.

For over 15 years, The Cat Empire have been releasing and performing their high-energy fusion of reggae, jazz and world-tinged music both locally and abroad and judging by the three sold-out shows at this venue, the love is still very much there.

The tracks from the new album fit perfectly into the set. Kicking off with Wolves and Bulls, the seven-piece band show they still have what it takes to deliver top-quality songwriting. Mingled in between are classics, Prophets In The Sky, Brighter Than Gold and Two Shoes.

It was another new track, Daggers Drawn, that showed off Harry James Angus' awesome singing chops (to partner his trumpet skills) and handed off solos to the ultra-talented band. Keys player, Ollie McGill is simply brilliant to watch, his locks waving in the air as he launches into spine-tingling solos and perfect arpeggios. The other members of the band chime in perfectly throughout the set as well.

Smiles were the order of the night and there was little time to stop moving during the over-90-minute set. They are just so damn positive, which none of the crowd complained about.

The ultimate question is, do you prefer Felix Riebl or Harry James Angus's songs? The crowd popped at Riebl's trademark grin and bongos, but equally at Angus's soaring falsetto and trumpet playing. The closest we get to an answer can be found within How To Explain's  lyrics: "Music is the language of us all." And we are so happy that The Cat Empire are still around to speak it.