To celebrate the launch of her third studio album, “Euro-Country” Dublin’s CMAT popped down to Brighton, where she used to reside, to play two intimate acoustic sets in the North Laine’s Resident Records.
CMAT fans
Eagerly queuing from the entrance of Resident to 40 metres down the block was a horde of fans. The group, mostly young women, were characterised by the popularity of gem studded western boots, pinched front cowboy hats and long ginger hair. In conversation with Dazed Digital CMAT declared “All my fans are Irish or Lesbian”. To a great extent, I agree.
For the few men amongst the crowd, baggy Japanese denim and tote bags were fashion of the day. Fellas that Tik Tok would label “performative men”. A term that has emerged in recent times to describe a man that enjoys skincare, cappuccinos and Doc Martens. I must say this observation is by no means a criticism. I myself enjoy all the above, though not in a performative sense.
The remaining male members of the audience were individuals commonly known as “Radio 6 Dads”. Such folk range from ages 35 onwards, often enjoy a pint of IPA, a browse of The Independent and, crucially, attend indie or punk gigs. On this occasion most Radio 6 Dads brought a “young carer”, invariably their teenage child who they attempt to radicalise into enjoying Fontaines DC.
After 10 painful minutes in the queue outside, being forced to listen to a particularly unhinged street preacher who seized the opportunity to rant extensive religious verses to a captive audience, we shuffled inside.
Take a Sexy Picture of Me
After a few minutes of listening to country music in the dimly lit boiling hot record shop, out bounces CMAT with her acoustic guitar and wide grin. The second she opened her mouth the audience were captivated, chuckling at every joke she cracked and smiling back at her as she commented on random audience member’s outfits.
Sliding into radio hit ‘Take a Sexy Picture of Me’ it quickly became clear there were mega fans in the building.
As the sing along began CMAT took full opportunity to live out the moment, gesturing each corner of the room to chant back at her.
I’ve never seen a crowd dynamic like that at Resident Records. Almost all members of the audience looked up at her with adoring eyes, and with good reason. CMAT has an unbelievable comedic charisma about her. She’s endearingly mouthy. Able to affectionately take the mick out of her fans, declaring she’s a ‘big fat pop star’ so can say what she wants.
Before the set could progress, CMAT insisted on leaving the stage to sing Happy Birthday to a fan, only for a member of the audience to faint causing the gig to come to a pause. Testimony to her mastery in sarcasm, after assuring the fan was safe, CMAT joked “Okay do you want to leave darling because, not to be funny, but you’re going to ruin the gig for me and everyone here”. After much toing and froing, the fainting fan was offered tickets for a later show, CMAT completed her rendition of “Happy Birthday” and finally we progressed to the second song.
Euro-country
CMAT’s music isn’t strikingly political, compared to the likes of Kneecap at least. But the title track from her latest album, “Euro-country” is a melodic critique of capitalism. It offers a critical reflection on the 2008 financial crisis and its consequences for working class communities in Ireland. The track flicks between Gaelic and English lyrics, a popular approach amongst fellow Irish song writers including Fontaines DC and Kneecap.
This translates into a curious music video in which she’s seen prancing and mincing around a shopping centre, perhaps the most CMAT stylistic approach to destroying capitalism there can be.
A short set list
As we’ve discussed, CMAT is witty and has something to say about everything. But her chattiness does have some externalities. Most of the concert was a standup act rather than a gig, meaning she played just 5 songs. Is that a problem? To be honest, not really.
In some ways I enjoyed listening to her waffle more than her music. And that says a lot because her live performance is exceptionally strong with no room for error.
Her set ended with “Stay for Something”, in which she agonises about the pain of letting go of a dysfunctional relationship whilst tangled in nostalgia and feeling. Naturally, CMAT insisted she was going to make eye contact with every member of the audience during her bidding farewell. This consisted of her speed walking around the room staring into the eyes of each and every member of the audience.
She is truly fantastic.
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