Woodstock welcomed Fantastic Cat to Levon Helm Studios on Saturday, April 11, for a sold out show that doubled as the launch of the band’s latest tour. Arriving just one day after the release of their new album Cat Out of Hell.
Formed in 2021, the four-member supergroup features Brian Dunne, Anthony D’Amato, Don DiLego, and Hollis Brown. For their live shows, the band is joined by keyboardist Jon Smith Voyages. The new tour supports Cat Out of Hell, a 12-track release that has already gathered early praise from outlets like Rolling Stone.
The night opened with a 40-minute set from singer-songwriter Jillette Johnson. Accompanied by herself on piano, Johnson delivered a series of raw, emotionally grounded originals. Though her recorded work often features full band, the stripped-down style highlighted the strength of her songwriting and held the audience’s attention.
Fantastic Cat hit the stage at 9 p.m., opening with “Donnie Takes the Bus,” the lead track from their new album, recently spotlighted by John Mayer on his SiriusXM show. The band leaned into the new material, performing three songs from the record to start the set. Among them, “Elevator” stood out for its high energy, at times reminiscent of the rapid-fire lyrical style of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” The set also made room for fan favorites like “Fiona” and “Amigo.”
Beyond their obvious musical talents, Fantastic Cat’s real appeal lies in their personality. Their sharp, satirical banter between songs adds an extra layer of entertainment for the audience.
They closed the night with a fitting encore of The Band’s “Twilight,” from the 1977 album Islands. Fantastic Cat now continues their U.S. tour, which will wrap with two shows at NYC’s Mercury Lounge.
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