I’d heard that Irish singer-songwriter CMAT was making a stop at Bar Le Ritz in Montreal during her tour, and I absolutely had to be there. Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, known as CMAT, released her debut record “If My Wife Knew I’d Be Dead” in 2022, featuring hits like “I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!” and “I Don’t Really Care for You.” She’s currently touring for her latest album, “Crazymad, For Me,” released in October 2023, which earned her a Brit nomination for Best International Artist.
Joining CMAT on her tour was solo Irish artist Morgana, who took the stage with a foldable chair, a velvet red blanket, and a bottle of wine, adding to her theatrical performance with beautifully delivered vocals. While Morgana hasn’t publicly released her music yet, she’s promised a plan for around September 2024.
CMAT, accompanied by keyboard player Colm Conlan and her band, kicked off the set with her song “California” from her newest album. Her infectious energy immediately captured the crowd’s attention, and her high-energy stage presence included air kicks and engaging with the audience. She created a sense of comfort and bliss, taking time to address individuals, acknowledging fans dressed in cowboy chic outfits, and even asking for cocktail recommendations.
CMAT expressed her fondness for Montreal, mentioning her “imaginary boyfriend” Leonard Cohen and how she kept making new friends everywhere she went. Throughout the set, she playfully mixed broken French with English and a thick Parisian accent, reminiscing about a festival in France where her linguistic blend wasn’t as well-received.
Responding to a fan’s request for a song titled “Groundhog Day” from her debut record, which she hadn’t played in around two and a half years, CMAT warned she might not remember it fully. However, she delivered the first verse and chorus beautifully, evoking deep emotions in the audience.
As the final song, “Stay For Something,” played, CMAT encouraged the crowd to part down the middle, running through to sing, hug, and possibly even share a kiss, ending her set in Montreal on a beautiful note.
Review – Charlotte Khanna
Photos – Steve Gerrard
