Noblesville, Indiana
Photos and review by Hadyn Mayes (Photography by Halo)
After an impactful set by Young The Giant, it was almost time for Cage The Elephant to take the stage. The sun started to set and breeze picked up, making for a great atmosphere at Ruoff Music Center.
The band walked on stage one at a time and were met with applause. Lead singer Matt Shultz came out last, rolling on a mobility scooter. He was met with an absolute uproar of enthusiasm. The band opened with their song entitled “Broken Boy," which felt perfect for the occasion with Matt being injured. The stage set was a wonderful mix of lights, pyrotechnics and lasers. It definitely added to the immersive sound of their songs.
In between songs, Matt talked about his injury and how he was finding new skills and making the best of his broken foot, including finding new dance moves. He stated he had never had such a reaction from a crowd to him simply standing up, joking that he may have to use the scooter in future shows. Despite his injury, he was still full of his signature passionate energy on stage.
Matt and his brother, Brad Shultz, made sure to engage the crowd throughout the show, with Brad coming out into the crowd at the barricade multiple times while playing guitar up close and personal for the fans. Matt made sure to keep the crowd involved with clapping and sing-alongs.
Musically the band was in sync; guitarists Brad Shultz and Lincoln Parish delivered wonderful and complementary melodies, and intricate and complicated solos. The bassist Daniel Tichenor and drummer Jared Champion were also tight and in sync, delivering a wonderful rhythm section.
Their performance was a testament to their status as one of the most dynamic and engaging live acts in rock today. The cohesive blend of visuals to music was a memorable experience for everyone in attendance. I had heard nothing but good things about seeing Cage The Elepant live leading up to this show, and I can truly say they exceeded all expectations.
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