Kentucky’s finest Alt-rockers, Cage The Elephant, brought the penultimate leg of their UK tour to a close with two dates at O2 Academy Brixton on 17th and 18th February. It was the first time the band had returned since 2020, and also took to the stage at Glasgow, Manchester and Wolverhampton. Named after their sixth studio album, Neon Pill, the tour has since extended across Europe and acts as an exciting prelude to their role as lead support act on the US leg of the Oasis reunion.
Much had occurred since fans of the band this side of the Atlantic had last seen a live show of theirs. Frontman Matt Shultz featured in headlines in 2023 when he was arrested in New York with possession of a firearm and managed to avoid jail time thanks to a plea deal. The artist later explained that the ordeal was the result of a three year battle with psychosis, caused by side effects to drugs he’d been prescribed. Fans also had to wait five years between their last album Social Cues, which landed in 2019 and Neon Pill which dropped last year, so expectations were high.
The band was supported by Girl Tones, a fast-rising two piece punk rock band hailing from the US across the tour. The sisters had great chemistry on stage, with Kenzie on lead vocals and guitar, and Kenzie on the drums. Playing to a relatively packed out stools area, they gave a standout rendition of their new single ‘I Know You Know’, which merges sounds of new wave and blues, alongside their punk aesthetic. With just over a year’s worth of releases to their name, they followed with ‘Again’, ‘Fade Away’ and ‘High And Dry’, presenting an energetic journey across their back catalogue. It was a performance that would’ve certainly gained the band a lot of fans.
Cage The Elephant opened their headline slot to a sea of pyrotechnics with ‘Broken Boy’, as frontman Schultz reminded the crowd he hadn’t lost any of his remarkable energy, leaping in the air during the chorus to rapturous screams. The band followed with ‘Cry Baby’, a track that illustrates how differently the bands music reacts in a live setting, giving a full blooded rock interpretation of a track from their most heartfelt album Tell Me I’m Pretty. The band did a great job of controlling the energy of the crowd, taking the audience on an emotive journey thanks to their vast discography, following emphatic highs, with deeply personal moments.
It was my first time seeing the band live and I was impressed by their ability to smash out hit after hit, continuously creating momentum. Emphatic renditions of ‘Ain’t No Rest’ and ‘Back Against The Wall’, which both released in 2008 showcased their effortless longevity. Performing 22 tracks across the setlist, every one of their albums featured. Personal highlights included ‘Skin & Bones’, ‘Social Cues’ and ‘Mess Around’, with Schultz’s stunning lyricism and dynamic performance of each track bringing them into a new realm.
With a back catalogue as grand as Cage The Elephant’s perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising that their ‘Neon Pill’ tour only featured three tracks from the new album – with ‘Good Time’, ‘Neon Pill’ and ‘Rainbow’. For the band they took on the approach of all killer and no filler material, and I applauded that. My only gripe with the setlist was the inclusion of ‘House Of Glass’ and ‘Sabertooth Tiger’, with both offering little to the show, I’d have preferred to see either swapped out for ‘Black Madonna’ or ‘Tokyo Smoke’.
Schultz showcased a remarkable connection with the crowd, often taking breaks in between songs to offer insight into the band’s history with London, where they lived for a brief period. He also spoke openly about his turbulent experiences in recent years, stating it was a miracle he was alive, let alone performing. It was great to see him transform his life and a relief for fans across the world to see him owning the stage once again.
Cage The Elephant brought the show to an end with an encore fit to headline any stage. ‘Back Against The Wall’, ‘Shake Me Down’, ‘Cigarette Daydreams’ and ‘Come A Little Closer’, four tracks with a combined two billion streams showcased everything the band is about. From the rough and ready rock that’s capable of tearing walls down, to the most beautiful, yet heartbreaking songwriting that’s fit to bring tears to your eyes, as a band they have it all. The
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Words: Jake Wright