THE only way to describe The Cat Empire's gig at the O2 is one big party. From the moment they walked on stage to the moment they walked off again leaving an exhausted crowd behind them it was non-stop dancing and singing. The band's music is so upbeat and infectious it is impossible to stand still and nearly everyone I saw had a huge smile on their face. What more could you possibly ask from a band and a gig?

Three horns, a keyboard, double bass, drums, decks and a lead singer deliver a delightful mix of jazz, funk and Latin rhythms that have resulted in world wide success, platinum albums and hundreds of nights just like this. Lead singer Felix Riebl alternates between singing duties and percussion whilst the rest of the band keep the rhythm perfectly, the crowd do the rest and supply probably the happiest and most good natured gig I have ever been to.

Opening with the appropriately titled Ready Now, Wolves and Sol Y Sombra, the tempo and tone for the evening never faltered right to the end of main set closer Still Young that left the crowd hoarse but still shouting for more. And of course the band soon returned for Bulls, Brighter Than Gold and Chariot.

The Cat Empire has largely passed me by until tonight but I will be exploring their back catalogue and making sure I never miss these guys again.