“Up close and personal with one of Australia’s most infectious and beloved jazz/funk bands.”

Over 3 separate sunset into evening sessions, you will be entertained by The Cat Empire in exclusive, intimate concert mode, featuring all your favourite songs. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the magical Maldives.

May 17-24, 2026

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Aussie icons The Cat Empire have had an illustrious career, spanning decades and genres.

Illuminating stages across the globe, the band are a magnetic force that have captivated millions of adoring fans with their high energy performances and explosive sound and visuals. With the band’s infectious groove and vibrancy, audiences are guaranteed to shimmy, shake, and sing their way through a Cat Empire set.

THE Cat Empire’s message, on stage and in the studio, has always been about breaking down borders: musical, geographic, lingual.

Bird in Paradise.

The Cat Empire’s Bird in Paradise is The Cat Empire’s vibrant and liberating tenth studio album. Born out of raw energy and spontaneity, the record began as an experiment rather than a deliberate project.

Lead singer Felix Riebl had long envisioned a flamenco-inspired album, and the seeds for this idea were planted during sessions for their last album, Where The Angels Fall—finally flourished into an electrifying and cohesive body of work.

Where The Angels Fall was notably poppier by The Cats’ standards, with a polished production and vibrant, colourful sound, Bird In Paradise marks a triumphant return to a more organic, “live in the room” sound.

From the outset, the band made the bold decision to ditch the fragmented methods of modern production, opting instead to capture the magic of musicians playing together in the same space. The result is electrifying—an album that crackles with vitality, pulling you straight into the heart of the action, as if you’re right there with the band, soaking in every note of their undeniable chemistry.

The journey to Bird in Paradise was a serendipitous one. Initially intended as a collection of individual tracks, the album began to take shape within the first few days of recording.

The title track was even written in a whirlwind, late-night session just before recording began—an emblem of the chaotic creativity that defines the album.

The process was dynamic and playful, with members of the band’s children dancing in the studio and a shared sense of musical joy that permeates every note.

The album’s flamenco inspiration brought together a broader creative team than ever before. Longtime collaborator Richard Tedesco, alongside the core band members-Felix Riebl, Ollie McGill and Ross Irwin, were involved early in the writing process, enriching the sound with strings, horns, and subtle, intricate arrangements.

 

Band member Lazaro Numa’s contributions to the horn section added another layer of depth, Grace Barbeco-wrote four of the tracks on the album, while the entire ensemble leaned into their individual strengths, creating a record that celebrates the collective talent of this musical family.

‘La Gracia ‘is a vibrant tapestry of global influences, inspired by trumpeter Lazaro’s first journey to Spain with the band.’

Blood on the Stage’ channels the pulsating energy of The Cat Empire’s European tour.

‘Doing Fine ‘is a self-affirming burst of vibrancy, brimming with edgy and dynamic energy.

This album breaks new ground with the most languages ever featured on a Cat Empire record, a vibrant celebration of the band’s boundless creativity.
It’s a kaleidoscope of cultures woven into their unmistakable sound, making every track a global experience.

Visually and sonically, Bird in Paradise is a cohesive masterpiece.
Giulia McGauran, the artist behind the album’s artwork, created the visuals while the band were in the depths of recording, resulting in a stunning, carnivalesque aesthetic that perfectly complements the sound.

The title isn’t just a clever play on words; it’s a reminder that birds belong in paradise too, much like the music here finds its natural, vibrant home.
For fans, this album offers a refreshing callback to The Cat Empire’s earlier days, while showcasing the wisdom and musicality they’ve honed over two decades.

It’s a testament to their ability to create worlds within their music—worlds that are expansive, colourful, and authentic.

With Bird in Paradise, The Cat Empire prove they’re not just making music; they’re building a legacy that continues to surprise, inspire, and soar.

“Relax all day, share in great music, dance long into the evening!”

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives offers an unbeatable holiday experience for those searching for that extra special touch.

Located on a private island in the South Male Atoll, the resort features spectacular architecture inspired by sea barnacles and exudes a tropical island atmosphere, lush tropical greenery, white sand beaches and turquoise waters are more than enough paradise for guests to enjoy relaxed seclusion and privacy.

All the accommodation has been built around the edge of or on the water.

Each villa type is fresh and contemporary in appearance, with clean lines and minimal clutter, incorporating all modern amenities, whilst retaining the warmth of natural wood finishes. Large windows mean that you are only a glance away from the great blue outdoors.

Choose from Gold – Beach Villas, VIP – 2 Storey Beach Houses and Ultimate – Overwater Bungalows.

Once-in-a-lifetime Experience

Unforgettable experiences are the heart of the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, with a long list of remarkable outdoor and water adventures on offer, from picnic island trips, to aqua surfaris and windsurfing just a booking away. Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives activities cater to everyone, be it the advanced diver, the extreme sport enthusiast or the family in need of some tranquil chill out time in the Maldives’ magical wilderness.

Evening activities on offer may include live music, discos and local folklore. You can also enjoy tennis, football, table-tennis and darts, as well as just relaxing in the expansive resort pool. Plenty to keep you busy when you are not surfing or soaking up the sun on Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives’ beach! For a sampling of Maldivian life, visits to Guraidhoo can be arranged.

World’s Most Breathtaking Yoga

Taught by the resident yoga-instructor, the vinyasa-style yoga class weaves together the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of your vacation, to help you centre yourself in a space of complete wellness and relaxation. Suitable for yogis of every level, the yoga classes can be an inspiring start to the day, or a way to unwind into your island evening.

Mesmerizing Tropical Ecosystem

Manta rays, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, oriental sweetlips, parrotfish, green turtles and other rare species of marine life are commonly found among Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives’ home reefs. The Dive Centre is comprehensively equipped to meet the needs of advanced divers but also suitable and thoughtfully set up for absolute beginners. Bubblemaker – for kids, Discover Scuba Diving – the first encounter with the wonders of marine life! And a multitude of PADI training courses are available.

Exclusive Surfing, Perfect Waves

Perfect Wave, the world’s largest surf tour operator, run the surf program at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives and boast experienced resident surf guides and surf instructors. Surfing is exclusive and limited to a maximum 50 surfers, so you must pre-register for the surf program. The surf breaks around Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives have something for everyone, from beginners that want to move to an intermediate level to experienced surfers wanting fast barrels and rippable walls.

Refresh & Reset

The idyllic setting at the COMO Shambhala Spa at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives sets the scene of serenity and calm and is the perfect getaway from all the pressures and demands of today’s modern world. The spa experience is all about energizing in a natural environment with its wide range of therapeutic massages and spa treatments in five treatment rooms with breathtaking oceanic views.