Review and Photos by Camille Germain
Cage The Elephant brought their Neon Pill Tour to Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena on June 22nd for a powerful night of music. Their 2024 tour celebrates their first album in over five years. The night featured an incredible lineup of artists: Young The Giant, Bakar, and Willow Avalon. The energy and anticipation in the arena were evident as the crowd awaited the show.
Country musician Willow Avalon, a Georgia native, opened the night with a unique twist on the evening’s musical genres. Supported by a tight-knit backing band who smiled, danced, and laughed throughout their entire set, she joked, “The only reason I still date men is for the songs.” Avalon was unapologetically honest, especially in her between-song banter. Her lyrics reflected this honesty. Despite being an unexpected artist in the night’s lineup, the arena danced and cheered throughout her performance.
Switching gears, Bakar took the stage alone with dramatic lighting and a large ramp. The British indie rocker was welcomed with loud applause as his kicked off the night with his 2018 hit "All In" off of his Badkid album. His chill demeanor and upbeat sound set a dynamic tone. During his set, he included hits "Hell N Back," "1st Time," and "Alive!." With a short setlist of eight songs, he left the arena wanting more. As he moved up and down the platform, he established the energy for the night. His performance got the crowd excited for the high-energy acts that followed.
Young The Giant delivered an electrifying performance as direct support for Cage The Elephant. Their infectious stage presence and dynamic indie sound captivated the crowd from the start. The setlist showcased their musical catalog, drawing from over two decades of material. Classics like "Mind Over Matter" and "Cough Syrup" mixed seamlessly with more recent fan favorites, as the audience sang and danced passionately.
Young The Giant's performance was a perfect complement to the headlining act. Frontman Sameer Gadhia's vocals soared over the instrumentation, captivating the crowd. The band's chemistry was undeniable, with each member locking into the groove and feeding off each others' energy. They finished with the fan-favorite "My Body." The band's connection with the crowd was unmistakable, and it was clear many were there for them. They absorbed the arena's energy and delivered a memorable opening set.
The excitement for Cage The Elephant's set was undeniable as the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted in cheers. When the band took the stage, the arena exploded with energy. Lead singer Matt Shultz commanded the audience's attention from the moment he stepped up to the mic stand. They started with "Broken Boy," from their 2019 album Social Cues. As Shultz leapt into the air with flames, the crowd went into a frenzy. He kept up his boundless enthusiam and captivating stage presence throughtout their enitre performance. And when he wasn't moving quickly from one side of the stage to the other and jumping into the air, his brother and guitarist, Brad Shultz was leaving the stage to play in the audience.
Cage The Elephant blended fan favorites with tracks from their latest album, Neon Pill. Songs like “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” “Come A Little Closer,” and “Rainbow” had the audience fully engaged. The band’s musicianship and chemistry were on full display. Matt Shultz took a moment to talk to the crowd and said, “As some of you may know, I’ve had a rough past five years. It feels good to be back. If you know someone struggling, tell them you love them,” before going into “Shake Me Down” as the first encore song.
By the end of Cage The Elephant's set, the audience had been thoroughly entertained. The band delivered an exciting performance showcasing their musical talent and captivating stage presence. From "Broken Boy" to the encore, they had the crowd engaged in a high-energy journey through their 21-song set. The contagious energy left no doubt that this was a memorable night for the fans. The Neon Pill Tour was a successful celebration of their music, and the Seattle show highlighted their ability to connect with the audience.
Cage The Elephant
Young The Giant
Bakar
Willow Avalon
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