CMAT is unlike anything you’ve seen (or heard) before. When her music was first described to me last year as country-pop, I wasn’t prepared for the music and theatrics that were to come from Irish singer-songwriter CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson). As an Appalachian-born American myself, this wasn’t the “country” I was prepared for. This was wild, sometimes raunchy, always entertaining Euro-pop… but with the subtle hints of country lyricism that make her unique.
The Very Sexy CMAT Band took the stage at the Showbox in Seattle to a packed and energized crowd. But instead of taking the stage with her band, a single spotlight shone in the audience, revealing CMAT already standing among us as she opened with “Janis Joplining.” Fresh from her debut performance at Coachella, she walked into the Showbox with bold, playful energy.
She eventually made her way to the stage and launched into the irresistibly catchy, campy chaos of “The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station.” It became clear almost immediately that CMAT is a natural connector. Some artists talk to the audience, but CMAT talks with them. She complimented people on their hair, pointed at someone and shouted, “Hey, I have that shirt!,” and carried herself with the kind of warmth that made her feel like an old friend. Her band matched her energy, playful and expressive, clearly having as much fun as everyone watching.
After an already electric run of eleven songs, CMAT and the band slipped offstage before returning for a four-song encore that opened with her album’s titular track “EURO-COUNTRY.” Then came one of the night’s most delightful moments: CMAT teaching the crowd a two-step for “I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby.” The audience picked it up so quickly that she laughed and said, “Wait, I thought this town was all about grunge!”
She only had one song left, but Seattle wasn’t ready to let go. A unified chant of “TWO MORE SONGS” came from the crowd, and it worked. She turned to a fan who had flown in from Minnesota and asked what they wanted to hear for making the long trip. They requested “Whatever’s Inconvenient” and the band obliged.
They closed the night with “Stay for Something,” and at some point during the song, the entire floor seemed to lift and float as the crowd jumped in perfect unison. It was a moment of pure joy.
CMAT told the sold-out crowd that the Seattle show might be the best of the tour. Normally, that line feels like a throwaway… but in this case, it didn’t. You could feel that she meant it. And personally, I believed her. This was an incredible show, and it’s one that the audience won’t forget anytime soon.
