Well, well, well … that Cage The Elephant, eh?
RIOT’s favourite indie rock four-piece from Kentucky, led by Matt Shultz, completely stormed the Brixton Academy last night with an electrifyingly momentous set. Bringing along with them Declan McKenna, who is one you’ll want to keep your ear out for in 2017, and the pretty mental Mancunian band, Spring King, Cage The Elephant‘s first London show since 2015 was pegged for madness from the off.
After Declan McKenna & Spring King had finished rallying up the crowd, the whole Academy erupted when Cage The Elephant finally emerged on stage. Leading through Cry Baby, In One Ear, Spiderhead, Aberdeen, and leaving me nigh on death, a thankful rest came with the duo of Take It Or Leave It, (no, not that Strokes song), and Too Late To Say Goodbye.
Parading about the stage like a younger Iggy Pop, and waltzing with his microphone, frontman Matt Shultz brought a whole new level of cool to an already sub-zero evening (even if the venue wasn’t). After heart-wrenching ballad Trouble had swooned its way about the 5,000 strong venue, Shultz had ripped off his blazer in full rock ‘n’ roll style. Joining in with the frenzy of a crowd, both the band’s frontman and guitarist Brad Shultz had jumped towards the crowd for the more heavy and new tracks like Punchin’ Bag and Mess Around. Following on from a few more tender numbers, the four-piece rounded off their incredible, and disorientating set with the anthem, Come A Little Closer.
Splitting from the stage for maybe a minute, the band edged their way back into the crowd’s embrace for a fully nostalgic encore ranging from Cigarette Daydreams, and wrapping it all up with a Teeth shaped bow, one of the most exciting live bands had only retained their title.
What was the most apparent from the entire set is just how consistent Cage The Elephant are; the ability to rumble through nearly 10 years worth of material, and summon just as much adoration for each song is often unheard of, and for that, Cage The Elephant deserve a whole world of praise.
Witness the show in glorious technicolour through our pictures.
Words by Jasmin Robinson
