Are you obsessed with Chappell Roan and Lola Young? If the answer is yes, then I’ve got the perfect artist for you to obsess over next. CMAT is a country-pop leaning musician from Ireland who may just be the next breakout star. Her 2022 debut album “If My Wife New I’d Be Dead” and the 2023 follow-up “Crazymad, For Me” are brilliant records that perfectly introduce her artistry to listeners with her unique blend of humour along with vulnerability. She’s currently down under for her first Australian tour supporting The Teskey Brothers for their A Day On The Green Shows. But while she’s here she’s also put on two exclusive headline shows in Melbourne and Sydney which sold out immediately, and for good reason. 

The Factory Theatre in Sydney was overflowing with a boisterous crowd who were awaiting her arrival. With her band walking out wearing denim shorts and white shirts, she followed behind them for a brief rendition of “Nashville” that quickly went into “California”. Welcoming the crowd to the show, she did a little survey of how many Irish people were in the crowd, and unsurprisingly it felt like a good 80%. Introducing “I Don’t Really Care For You” as “Sydney, this is the greatest song of all time”, she is really self-aware of how good her songs are. Breaking out into some silly choreography halfway through the song, she had a few more of these moments perfectly sprinkled throughout the show which added to the high energy she was delivering. “The economy is fucked but we are having a great night” she later quipped, in-between talking about Coogee which hilariously seemed to be her only knowledge of Sydney. Her banter felt like it was taken out of a stand-up comedy special. It was effortless and hilarious. 

Returning to the music, “Whatever’s Inconvenient”, “Aw, Shoot”, Have Fun!” and a cover of “I Touch Myself” by the Divinyls were big highlights in the set with what seemed like a non-stop singalong throughout the show. With a four song encore, she stripped it completely back with my personal favourite “Such A Miranda” before bringing the band back on for “Rent”. Teaching the crowd a little dance for “I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby!”, she closed out the set with “Stay For Something” which saw her jumping in the crowd and running around with everyone. 

Watching CMAT live just made me fall more in love with her. She is an artist who is genuinely about to make a huge impact on the world. The existing audience is passionate, the music is incredible, and the live show is top class, and this show felt so special as you knew you would never see her in these size venues again.