Cage The Elephant Reintroduces Themselves In Seattle on The "Neon Pill" Tour
Written and shot by Chloe Sarmiento
Graphic by Rebekah Witt
A forever iconic band within the indie genre with a longstanding, illustrious career, Cage The Elephant made a triumphant return to Seattle after a six-year hiatus from the Emerald City. Alongside three electrifying openers—Willow Avalon, Bakar, and Young The Giant, each bringing their own spirited following—the “Cigarette Daydreams” singers packed the Climate Pledge Arena to the brim. The entire crowd provided their undivided attention throughout Cage The Elephants’s 21-song setlist, lost in the sonic wonderland crafted by their lead singer Matt Shultz’s raw vocals that carry through their authentic lyricism and soulful guitar riffs.
Each preceding act deserves flowers in its own right. Willow Avalon, an unexpected outlier among the other openers who mirrored the headliner's alternative vibe, introduced a refreshing twist to the country genre. Her performance radiated a vibrant energy, setting a bright and exhilarating tone to kick off the night.
Next up, British indie rocker Bakar cranked the energy up to 11 with his infectious, upbeat tracks and boundless enthusiasm, bouncing around the stage with striking charisma. His setlist, arguably too short for the audience's insatiable appetite, left the crowd chanting for more. Among the highlights of his setlist were a spirited cover of Dominic Fike's "3 Nights" and his own acclaimed anthem "Hell N Back," which skyrocketed to fame on TikTok in 2021 and is currently enjoying a resurgence, making its rounds once again thanks to a remixed version featuring Summer Walker.
Lastly, setting the stage before Cage The Elephant took over, Young The Giant undoubtedly left a memorable impression that would linger in the audience's minds for days to come. With their eclectic, fluid sound drawing from genres like funk, rock, and pop, their discography boasts tracks that are destined to land on your playlist, each song perfectly encapsulating the nostalgic energy of a coming-of-age movie. During their set, lead singer Sameer Gadhia reminisced about their past headlining summer tour, recalling their stop in Seattle amidst a sweltering heat wave, yet still packing the outdoor venue. The crowd erupted in cheers when Gadhia asked if any concertgoers had attended that show, showcasing the band's dedicated fanbase. Young The Giant's stage presence is truly something extraordinary. While Gadhia commands the stage with his infectious energy, each band member shines in their own right, making it nearly impossible to choose which performer to focus on.
Three acts later, Cage The Elephant exploded onto the stage with “Broken Boy,” accompanied by pyrotechnics that shocked the audience. Matt Shultz’s stage antics were nothing short of spectacular, as his powerful vocals shone through despite his relentless running, dancing, and jumping across the arena stage. It seems incredible musicianship runs in the family, as older brother and band guitarist Brad Shultz radiated infectious energy with his mastered instrumentation. A particularly memorable moment occurred when he noticed a few people sitting down and promptly urged them to stand up, a request they enthusiastically obliged. Their set was a visual and auditory feast, featuring fiery pyrotechnics, mesmerizing lasers, and stunning projections that layered atop the lasers at times – one of the most impressive set productions in recent times. During the encore, Matt Shultz was visibly moved by the concertgoer’s fervent engagement, turning the tables to capture a video of the crowd, which was later posted on Cage The Elephant's Instagram story, thanking the audience. Closing with the beloved anthem and crowd-pleaser, “Come A Little Closer,” it was evident that the audience was reluctant for the night to end, having the time of their lives at the performance.
Cage The Elephant’s Neon Pill tour is one of the best acts to roll through the city in a while. With their unparalleled stage presence and impressive discography, the set was a surefire testament to the band's iconic artistry – and you definitely don’t want to miss it.
Willow Avalon
Bakar
Young the Giant
Cage the Elephant
