Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 01/09/2023
Photo by Shervin Lainez
“All-star group” (Rolling Stone) Fantastic Cat's "C'mon Armageddon" is featured in this week’s episode of the new Sylvester Stallone series Tulsa King, streaming now on Paramount+. The band also performed the freewheeling track, which kicks off their critically acclaimed debut, The Very Best Of Fantastic Cat, on CBS Saturday Morning.
After earning raves with the album everywhere from American Songwriter to No Depression here in the States, the instrument-swapping four-piece is headed to Europe for headline dates this spring before returning to the US for festival performances in the summer, including the just-announced In Between Days, which finds them sharing a bill with Lord Huron, Modest Mouse, Blitzen Trapper, and more.
They said it couldn’t be done. Four different songwriters joining forces to form a single band? There was simply no precedent (outside of CSNY, The Beatles, The Traveling Wilburys, The Highwaymen, Monsters of Folk, etc). And yet Fantastic Cat did it anyway, defying the odds and teaming up to record their highly unanticipated debut, The Very Best Of Fantastic Cat. Captured in the wilds of the Pocono Mountains, the album gleefully careens between genres and decades, mixing electrified 60’s folk and 70’s AM radio gold as it balances careful craftsmanship and ecstatic abandon in equal measure.
Individually, each member of Fantastic Cat boasts their own impressive resume along with a litany of critical acclaim. NPR said Anthony D’Amato “sings and writes in the tradition of Bruce Springsteen or Josh Ritter.” No Depression dubbed Don DiLego’s latest album “a masterpiece.” Rolling Stone called Brian Dunne’s latest single a “stunner” and praised Mike Montali’s band, Hollis Brown, as “the soundtrack for a late-night drive through the American heartland.” Collectively, though, the four transcend their respective roots, emerging as an instrument-swapping, harmony-trading, tear-jerking, wise-cracking rock and roll cooperative far greater than the sum of its parts.
FANTASTIC CAT TOUR DATES:
12 Jan Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury Lanes
14 Jan Red Bank, NJ - Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center for the Arts
15 Jan Asbury Park, NJ - Songwriters By The Sea
25 Feb Woodbridge Township, NJ - Avenel Performing Arts Center
10 Mar Leffinge, Belgium - De Zwerver
11 Mar Amen, Netherlands - Café "De Amer"
12 Mar Dörphof, Germany - The Upstage
15 Mar Hagen Am Teutoburger Wald, Germany - Gaststätte Stock
16 Mar Essen, Germany - Jazz Im Jubb
17 Mar Altlandsberg, Germany - Buchholz Saloon
19 Mar Groningen, Netherlands - Oosterpoort
20 Mar Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
21 Mar Leiden, Netherlands - Qbus Club
25 Mar New York, NY - Webster Hall
28 Apr Kilkenny, Ireland - Kilkenny Roots Festival
29 Apr Kilkenny, Ireland - Kilkenny Roots Festival
30 Apr Lessines, Belgium - Roots & Roses Festival
01 May Lessines, Belgium - Roots & Roses Festival
02 Jun Kill Devil Hills, NC - Down The Hatch 2023
03 Jun Kill Devil Hills, NC - Down The Hatch 2023
20 Aug Quincy, MA - In Between Days Festival 2023
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
MPAC presents Hindley Street Country Club on Wednesday
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- YouTube sensations Hindley Street Country Club (The HSCC) are making their Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) debut on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 7:30pm. Founded in 2017 by arranger / producer Constantine Delo, the band started as a group of Australian musicians, recording re-arranged covers of 70s and 80s hits and uploading them to Facebook and YouTube weekly.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights on July 30th
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 7:30pm. This special concert features Herb Alpert, along with his six great musicians, Bill Cantos (piano & marimba), Kerry Marx (guitar), Ryan Dragon (trombone), Kris Bergh (trumpet), Ray Brinker (Drums), and Hussain Jiffry (bass), playing all the favorite TJB hit songs.
NJPAC presents Jazz Icon Herbie Hancock on July 31st
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announces the return of the legendary Herbie Hancock for a one-night-only performance on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:00pm. This concert promises to be an unforgettable evening, showcasing the incomparable artistry of one of the most influential musicians of our time.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bees Deluxe and Eclipse on July 31st
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Boston-based British/American modern blues powerhouse Bees Deluxe are buzzing back into Tuckerton with their electrifying live show, landing at The Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:00pm. Fresh off advancing to the semi-finals this year at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Rising Sun Presents: A Funky Reggae Party on August 1st
(KING OF PRUSSIA, PA) -- Rising Sun Presents will celebrate summer with A Funky Reggae Party in Heuser Park on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The evening will feature performances from legendary acts Steel Pulse, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe playing Jimmy Cliff, and The Original Wailers ft. Al Anderson. The lineup also includes The Philly Reggae Allstars ft. members of Wareika Hill. Tabernacle & more, along with DJ sets from Solomonic Sound System (Rob Paine) and Traveler Sounds.
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center presents John Violinist on August 1st
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- John Violinist will perform at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) on Saturday, August 1, 2026 7:30pm. John is an international violinist and performer who has fused the sound of classical music with the sound of today's popular music.
The Stone Pony presents John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band on August 1st
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band return to The Stone Pony on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The band has been delivering their patented good time rock 'n' roll for more then 50 years now. This is an all ages show; doors are at 6:30pm.
Art, Poetry, and Conversation Unite at Monmouth Museum at Dunellen
(DUNELLEN, NJ) -- Jo-El Lopez will present a special edition of Art in Conversation on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Monmouth Museum at Dunellen (266 North Avenue) in Dunellen. The free public event will feature an engaging artist talk by acclaimed abstract artist Bryant Small, followed by original spoken-word performances inspired by his artwork.
The Vogel presents Enjoy Every Sandwich: A Tribute to Warren Zevon on Saturday
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Enjoy Every Sandwich: A Tribute to Warren Zevon on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is another one of Pat Guadagno's popular tribute shows featuring an all-star cast. Limited tickets remain.
FEATURED EVENTS
