Rolling into SPAC for the Neon Pill tour, Grammy award winning rockers Cage the Elephant put on a performance for the ages on Sunday night, August 18th. With a broken foot and a heart full of the rock n’ roll spirit, lead singer Matt Shultz powered through the entire show in unforgettable fashion, rolling around the stage on a modified medical scooter.
Weaving through blasts of pyro and popping the occasional wheelie, he showed more charisma and showmanship on one leg than most mortals have in their whole body. Even if you couldn’t get into the music, you had to respect the max effort behind it. Alongside an eclectic lineup that featured Young the Giant, Bakar, and rising star Willow Avalon, the evening was a celebration of musical diversity, perseverance and raw emotion, drawing thousands of fans to experience a show that will be remembered for many years to come.
The buzz around SPAC before the show was all about Cage the Elephant’s previous gigs in the Capital Region. Long time fans were quick to remember their 2016 show with Portugal. The Man at the Palace Theatre in Albany where hundreds of fans jumped up on stage and hoisted Schultz into the air during the encore. From there, their legend only grew when Cage the Elephant moved up the road to SPAC in 2019 and stole the show from then headliner Beck (“Loser,” “Where It’s At”) with Shultz stripping down to his lifeguard shorts and completing a most epic crowd surf from the very front of the stage to the very top of the SPAC lawn to the tune of Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” So when the temporally handicapped Shultz rolled out in Saratoga Springs sitting on scooter, no one was really sure what to expect from the man who often spends more time running through the crowd than on stage.
Sustaining a serious foot injury while performing in Atlanta earlier this August, this isn’t the first time members of Cage the Elephant have been hurt by their high-octane performance style. With a history of jumping off balconies and stage diving, things like cracked ribs, bruised sternums, bite marks and deep scratches that require stiches have all been par for the course with these guys. A few years ago, the band needed to cancel an entire UK and European tour when guitarist Nick Bockrath required immediate surgery after suffering a ruptured PCL, torn ACL, and fractured tibia while performing. But if pain is temporary and glory lasts forever, as they say in show business, the show must go on and this one did in a most grandiose way.
Formed as a six piece in 2006, the Kentucky bred Cage the Elephant has been a force in the music industry for nearly two decades. With six studio albums under their belt, including the newly released Neon Pill, the band has solidified their place as one of the most beloved and enduring bands in modern rock. Along with their unpredictable frontman Matt Shultz and his brother, Brad, on guitar, Cage the Elephant is also made up of Nick Bockrath (guitar), Daniel Tichenor (bass), Jared Champion (drums), and Matthan Minster (keyboards/guitar).
Rising to prominence with their gritty blend of alternative garage rock and punk blues combined with an elaborate and explosive live performance, their popularity can be attributed to their relentless energy, genre-defying sound, and the emotional depth of their lyrics. Despite his recent injury, Shultz’s indomitable spirit was on full display at SPAC, where he performed most of the set on a scooter, adding an unexpected yet fitting touch of rebellion to the evening. Opening up with the ever-appropriate “Broken Boy,” the band wasted no time playing with fire, dazzling the crowd pyrotechnics early and often.
“Cry Baby,” the opening track from 2015’s Tell Me I’m Pretty, had the crowd singing along to every word, a recurring theme that was consistent throughout the night. Rocking renditions of “Mess Around” and “Cold Cold Cold” from the same album were also played, while “Spiderhead,” “Halo,” and “Telescope” represented the Melophobia portion of the show.
Fan favorite “Trouble” would receive the full “cell phone waving/sea of fireflies” treatment, which is a special moment at any show, no matter who is playing. Suddenly dropping into the hit single that put them on the map (and the only song played from their debut album), the crowd all but lost their minds singing along to “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked.” With the audience firmly in the palm of their hands at this point, the sense of love and admiration for Cage the Elephant was palpable and through the roof. However, the journey to get to this moment hasn’t been without its challenges.
Supporting their first new album in 5 years, behind the scenes has been a little rough for the band. After Matt and Brad Shultz sadly lost their father in 2020, Matt made headlines when he was arrested for criminal possession of illegal firearms in Manhattan. Avoiding jail time by accepting a plea deal, he was placed in treatment for a medically induced psychosis in 2023. Now with legal troubles behind him and using the unfortunate setback as fuel for the new record, the phrase “neon pill” is a reference to the brightly colored medication that kicked off his mental breakdown. Delving into themes of self-discovery, inner turmoil, and the search for meaning in an increasingly chaotic world, when it came time to hype up the new stuff, Matt would casually ask if it was cool for them to play a few songs from Neon Pill.
After a resounding approval, “Rainbow” stuck out for its colorful laser light show, while “Good Time” had everyone from the front, back to the balcony getting lit. Including its title track, Cage the Elephant would only play three songs from the new album, instead putting much of the focus on 2019’s Social Cues. Treating the audience to tunes like “Ready to Let Go,” “Skin and Bones,” “Tokyo Smoke” and “House of Glass,” perhaps the most punk rock inspired song of the night was a fiery and emphatic stab at 2011’s “Sabertooth Tiger,” which saw even more pyro going off as the band exited the stage to a deafening loop of distorted guitar feedback.
With the crowd howling for more, the band would return for a three-song encore of hit singles. First up from Thank You Happy Birthday was “Shake Me Down.” Met with thunderous cheers, the connection between the band and their fans was palpable, with the audience singing along to every word, creating a communal atmosphere that is rarely seen in live music today. “Cigarette Daydreams,” a song that’s rapidly approaching 1 billon streams on Spotify, felt absolutely huge in this setting. Finally, Cage the Elephant would unleash one last sing along in “Come A Little Closer” resulting in a euphoric eruption that truly made you feel alive and the hairs on your neck stand up. Watching Shultz push his body to the brink and scoot off the stage one final time, you simply knew you had just been a part of something special.
Prior to Cage the Elephant, the ever-evolving indie rock band Young the Giant played a set of fan favorites. Formed in Irvine, California, in 2004, the band has become a staple in the alternative music scene, known for their melodic soundscapes and introspective lyrics. The band’s current lineup includes Sameer Gadhia (vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), and Francois Comtois (drums). After opening up with “Jungle Youth, “ and “The Walk Home,” the band would then unleash their biggest hit to date with “Cough Syrup,” a song that’s amassed over 340 million streams on Spotify alone. Afterwards, singer Sameer Gadhia noted the band had no plans of touring this summer, but when an opportunity from Caged the Elephant knocked, they were glad to answer.
Speaking candidly to the audience, Gadhia talked about how it’s kind of crazy he’s feeling comfortable enough to banter with crowd since he’s usually a reserved person off stage. Through the enabling power of music and art, when he’s in the grips of performing, somehow it all that goes away and he feels like he can do anything. Living in the moment and trying not to be afraid of taking chances, he said Young the Giant was going to try some songs they haven’t played in a while, as well as something from every album they’ve released so far. Continuing on with “Waves” and “Dollar $tore,” the band would go back to 2016’s Home of the Brave for “Titus Was Born,” before going all the way back to the beginning on “Apartment.”
Pausing once again to have another moment with the receptive crowd, Gadhia would talk about how this year marks the 10th anniversary of their second album Mind Over Matter. Reflecting back, he said “When it first came out everyone was so confused by it, because it was so drastically different than [their] previous work.” “But if you put all of yourself and all of your heart into something and truly believe in it, eventually someone will hear it and connect with it.” Ten years later, the album has gone from being an initial flop to their most streamed overall. Reminding everyone to “never apologize for your art,” Young the Giant would launch into the title track of “Mind Over Matter” then “Tightrope” from the same album. Finishing up strong with a pair of their biggest hits, setlist staples “Silvertongue” and the closer, “My Body,” had everyone up on their feet and waving their arms from side to side, fully primed for the main event yet to come.
Perhaps the most unique voice on the diverse bill was genre-blending English artist Bakar. Hailing from Camden, London, his distinct style fuses elements of hip-hop, indie rock, and pop. Wearing a red cap and a shirt reading “Cage the Bakar/Neon Pill Tour Forever,” Bakar’s inclusion on the tour was a bold choice, but one that paid off immensely. Performing solo and singing over backing tracks, “1st Time” would feature samples of “Dancing in the Moonlight,” while “Right Here, for Now” and “Stop Selling Her Drugs” would showcase his versatility and unique perspective on societal issues. After working his way through “Alive!” and “Small Town Girl,” Baker would sing his biggest song, “Hell N Back” last to close out the set. Bringing a refreshing and unexpected twist to the evening, Bakar’s music talked issues of race, identity, and the struggles of youth, making him a voice for a generation that is often overlooked in mainstream music. The audience, initially unsure of what to expect, quickly warmed to his dynamic performance and were up on their feet with cheers by the end of it.
Kicking off the long evening of music with sophistication and grace was a star-making performance by the Willow Avalon band. A so-called “southern belle raising hell,” Avalon’s presence was magnetic from the start. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, she’s quickly made waves in the indie music scene with her infectious country-pop twang, stunning vibrato and carefree spirit. It wasn’t just Willow having all the fun either, her whole band appeared to be having a blast playing for Saratoga. Performing most of the tracks from her 2024 debut album Stranger, songs like “Honey Ain’t No Sweeter,” and “Getting’ Rich, Goin’ Broke” were met with smiles and applause, as her happy-go-lucky attitude and genuine passion for her craft was obvious.
Backed by a talented group of musicians, Avalon even worked in a brand-new foot stomper the band just wrote called “Raise Some Hell.” Joyful and radiant, Willow often touched on themes of love, nature, and self-empowerment. Rapidly becoming known for her vibrant stage presence and beauty, her microphones were adorned with flowers, reflecting her connection to the natural world and her upbeat personality. Her “friend not food” tattoo, featuring a pig, further emphasized her advocacy for animal rights, endearing her even more to the crowd. After working their way though Willow’s latest single, “Yodelayheewho” and her biggest song so far, “Tequila or Whiskey,” the band would ask for a little help from the crowd on the final song of the set. Quickly teaching them the lyrics to “Homewrecker,” it’s easy to see why Avalon’s rise to popularity has been so swift—her beauty, authenticity and warmth are qualities that resonate deeply and surely will continue to do so with audiences everywhere.
The Neon Pill Tour at SPAC was a resounding success, showcasing the diversity and talent of some of today’s most exciting artists. From the hard-hitting rock of Cage the Elephant to the introspective melodies of Young the Giant, the genre-defying sounds of Bakar, and the uplifting country-pop of Willow Avalon, the night offered something for everyone. If you missed out in Saratoga Springs, don’t worry. With upcoming dates in Mansfield, MA, Holmdel, NJ, the Artpark in Lewiston, NY and a massive show at Madison Square Garden on September 5th, there’s still plenty more chances to get in on the action. If you’ve never seen Cage the Elephant before, and you’re a fan of live music, you simply owe it to yourself to check it out.
Cage the Elephant | August 18, 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Broken Boy, Cry Baby, Spiderhead, Too Late to Say Goodbye, Good Time, Cold Cold Cold, Ready to Let Go, Neon Pill, Social Cues, Halo, Mess Around, Trouble, Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked, Skin and Bones, Rainbow, Telescope, Tokyo Smoke, House of Glass, Sabretooth Tiger
Encore: Shake Me Down, Cigarette Daydreams, Come a Little Closer
Young the Giant | August 18m 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Jungle Youth, The Walk Home, Cough Syrup, Waves, Dollar $tore, It’s About Time, Titus Was Born, Apartment, Superposition, Mind Over Matter, Tightrope, Silvertongue, My Body.
Bakar | August 18m 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: All In, 1st Time (with Dancing in the Moonlight tease), Right Here, for Now, Stop Selling Her Drugs, NW3, Alive!, Small Town Girl, Hell N Back.
Willow Avalon | August 18m 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Stranger, Honey Ain’t No Sweeter, Getting’ Rich, Goin’ Broke, Raise Some Hell (new song), Yodelayheewho, Tequila or Whiskey, Homewrecker.
