Live Review | CMAT @ O2 Academy, Brixton

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On Monday night, Irish pop sensation CMAT brought a night of raucous energy, heart and humour to London’s O2 Academy Brixton

Having caught CMAT at a number of festivals over the past few years, expectations were high for the singer’s London show, her largest headline performance in the city to date. Her star quality has been clear for years, with live performances that always ooze with drama, theatrics and musical prowess. Scaled up at Brixton, CMAT’s performance soared to even higher levels. 

Opening in true CMAT fashion perched on a balcony railing at the side of the venue, much to the crowd’s surprise, the Irish singer-songwriter instantly drew a lengthy applause from the audience. It marks a moment of well-deserved success for CMAT, whose music was brought further to the masses earlier this year with the release of viral single ‘Take A Sexy Picture Of Me’ and her latest hit album, ‘Euro-Country.‘

Following opener ‘‘Janis Joplining’,‘ she launched into ‘The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station’, quickly spreading unparalleled energy around the venue. Even towards the back of the venue, the crowd was singing every word, a testament to the success of this year’s album. What makes CMAT’s shows so special is her ability to fill the whole stage, with her electric stage presence and dynamic movement abundantly clear from the get go.

Older hit ‘‘I Don’t Really Care For You’‘ followed, a fan favourite featuring gloriously infectious dance breaks, poses and comedic moments. ‘Aw, Shoot!’ was another highlight, another of CMAT’s hit songs that allows her characteristic country-inspired sound to really shine. ‘Euro-Country’s‘ ‘When A Good Man Cries’ and ‘Tree Six Foive’ followed, showcasing distinctly different sounds but united by their jointly catchy sounds and honest lyricism. 

Next up, ‘Have Fun!’ was an immense highlight, as CMAT drew the crowd to join, as always, in a hand-waving dance move. Infectiously joyous and never dwindling in energy, the tune features playful vocals and witty lyrics. Viral sensation ‘Take A Sexy Picture Of Me’ was a strong follow up, a desperately needed bite back at body standards and society’s expectations for women inspired by comments CMAT had received on her own body on social media following live performances over the past years. It’s the loudest crowd at a gig I’ve heard all year and it’s beautifully obvious how valued CMAT’s music is, and how it can be simultaneously touching and danceable. 

‘California’, another older favourite, recently made its way back into the set and was an incredibly welcome addition, packed with some of the strongest vocals of the set. A stripped back opening introduced ‘Where Are Your Kids Tonight’, which was performed as a duet with CMAT’s keyboardist and fellow Irish musician Colm Conlan. Both musicians delivered highly impressive, refined and emotive vocals and it’s just one example of how well CMAT’s band shines throughout her live performances. 

‘Running/Planning’ follows, another of the biggest hits from her latest album, a strong close to her set before the encore. One of her most poignant songs, album title track ‘Euro-Country’ is the first song in the encore, an emotive exploration of Ireland’s trauma that exposes the country’s greed and corruption in the ‘Celtic Tiger’ economy and its lasting impact on working-class communities.

A catchy anthem about longing for personal freedom, and one of the artist’s greatest hits, ‘I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby!’ follows, which, as always, sees CMAT drawing the audience into a two step. Looking around the venue, there isn’t one person not dancing – an exceptional achievement for London on a Monday night. ‘Stay For Something’ closes the night, whose repeated cathartic bridge brings unbridled energy and communal release throughout the venue, ending the night on a powerful punch.

With some of the catchiest songs in music today and an incredibly successful pop-country fusion sound, on top of masterful lyrics that tackle everything from corruption and politics through to personal identity and freedom, CMAT is undeniably the next big thing. 

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