CAGE THE ELEPHANT // O2 ACADEMY, GLASGOW
Cage the Elephant unleashed the beast at Glasgow’s O2 Academy and lucky fans were treated to their best show to date.
CAGE THE ELEPHANT PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S O2 ACADEMY - 17.02.2020
PICTURE BY: | CALUM BUCHAN PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★☆ (4/5)
Cage the Elephant (CTE) has never been a group to define themselves with the boundaries of a genre. Like 70s punk that evolved to incorporate disco and reggae, CTE’s hard style is woven with threads of edgy synth, soft peaks of tenderness and glamourous crescendos. Last year, the band released their fifth album ‘Social Cues’ which received high praise from critics and fans alike as well as winning the band their second Grammy award earlier this year.
CTE latest tour complies of mostly sold out shows up and down the nation and now they are set to dive into the European leg of their tour. Their highly anticipated Glasgow show saw a youthful crowd swarm the venue and excitement filled the air like thick smog. The drinks flowed and arms were extended; the sea of fans became one big brotherhood where everyone was allied together. CTE took to the stage, lead vocalist Matt Shultz was brandishing a large beach umbrella which he frenzied about the stage with as if he was caught in a storm.
New song ‘Broken Boy’ kicked off the night. Iggy Pop features on the recorded version of this track and his influence on the band is all too clear. Iggy Pop is known for his playful, no F**** given attitude and CTE seem to have caught wind with his inspiration. A few songs in, Matt Shultz has his shirt off. With his jerky contortions of his thin-but-buff body the crowd are transfixed by him and his embodiment of the punk icon. ‘Cold Cold Cold’ was played early on in the night and featured some footwork from Matt Shultz that was ready for a supercharged salsa class.
The set dipped towards the middle as feedback started up during ‘Ready to Let Go.’ Vocals became muffled and this unfortunately continued into next track ‘Social Cues.’ These are two of the biggest tracks from the group’s latest album and ones that some fans would have been most looking forward to. They stumbled to through these songs and despite their gutsy performance, the sound slacked.
‘Mess Around’ saw a flailing rhythm return to the set before Matt Shultz address the crowd for the first time in the night. He spoke to the fans of his love and gratitude for them before CTE turned the room into a wave of sways with the softly spoken track ‘Trouble’. The new track ‘Skin and Bones’ was played showing anthemic qualities but it was littered with feedback on the night.
Early, gigantic track ‘Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked’ suited the chaotic performance it was given. Rhythm guitarist, Brad Shultz (Matt’s brother), jumped into the crowd and fittingly surfed his way through the song. That pesky feedback spiked through ‘It’s Just Forever’ but it almost seemed fitting with such a punchy song. ‘House of Glass’ has footnotes of Joy Division with a sense of urgency colouring its gothic guitar and dark lyrics. A poignant speech was made about teen suicide and self-expectation. Life with a baseline of love was encouraged before ‘Come a Little Closer,’ ‘Shake Me Down’ and ‘Cigarette Daydreams’ created empowering moment that built up to the end. The night is closed with ‘Love’s the Only Way’ which was dedicated to Matt Shultz’s wife.
Cage the Elephant’s performance was sublime. Never have they played with such freedom and zest. Points of technical error may have thrown off delivery at times but overall the night exploded with passion, a caramel sweetness drizzled over the night yet a punchy, punk flare was constant. The group are reaching new heights, covering new ground and smashing it out with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
SETLIST: | CAGE THE ELEPHANT : O2 ACADEMY, GLASGOW - 17.02.2020
Broken Boy
Cry Baby
Spiderhead
Too Late to Say Goodbye
Cold Cold Cold
Ready to Let Go
Social Cues
Tokyo Smoke
Mess Around
Trouble
Skin and Bones
Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
It’s Just Forever
Telescope
House of Glass
Come a Little Closer
Shake Me Down
Cigarette Daydreams
Teeth
Goodbye
Love’s the Only Way