The Cat Empire Share New Single 'Rocket'

Just days out from their orchestral shows at Thebarton Theatre, The Cat Empire have shared their first new song of 2026, 'Rocket'.

A funky offering with lively percussion that's unmistakably The Cat Empire, 'Rocket' finds the band reuniting with long-time friend and collaborator Jan Skubiszewski, the first time they've all worked together since he produced 2007's Steal the Light.

"'Rocket' kicks off this next chapter in the best possible way," says Felix Riebl. "It's big and percussive in that classic Cat Empire way, but it's got something new about it too. There's a tropical, Latin, surfy, Brazilian street-parade feel to it, and the horn line is familiar and fresh at the same time. It was a riot to record. It lit up the studio, with everyone shouting the countdowns, dancing and letting loose, and it feels like a song that's going to hold its place in the live set for a long time.

"We wanted something that would excite the fans who've been with us from the early days, something that captures the spirit of where we started. Lyrically, it's a collision of images and contrasts that's chaotic and celebratory, and it pulls people right into that wild momentum." 

The song is accompanied by a music video shot mostly on a camcorder by art director Giulia McGauran that offers fans a first glimpse at The Cat Empire's new visual world.

"This one is real clean compared with how crazy it gets," Felix teases. "It was a blast getting it started with this one." 

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Currently halfway through their orchestral encore tour of Australia, The Cat Empire have several more headline shows and festival appearances to come over the next four months.

Adelaide fans can catch the funk-meets-soul outfit at Thebarton Theatre this Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October alongside the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The Cat Empire then play Good Day Sunshine Festival at Margaret River on Saturday 24 October, followed by two orchestral shows at Riverside Theatre in Perth on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 December. They kick off the New Year on Saturday 16 January with Orchestra Victoria at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl, followed by appearances at Festivale in Launceston on Saturday 30 January and Riverboats Festival in Echuca on Saturday 20 February.

Tickets on sale now at thecatempire.com.

'Rocket' arrives after the band underwent lineup changes in 2023, with OG members Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill taking the band into the next era.

Since dropping their tenth studio album Bird in Paradise last year, which debuted at #2 on the ARIA Albums Chart, The Cat Empire have toured North America, Australia, Europe and the UK, including a sold-out night at London's 3000-capacity Troxy and a performance in Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup.

The band's new single is a small taste of what fans can expect moving forward.

'Rocket' is out now. Listen here. Catch The Cat Empire with the ASO at Thebarton Theatre on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October. Tickets on sale at thecatempire.com.