CAGE THE ELEPHANT / Young the GIANT live performance
Ralph Beauchamp
put the elephant in a cage Bringing their “Neon Pill” tour to Bridgeport’s HHA for direct support alongside Young The Giant, Bakar and Avalon Willow.
On August 19, our photographer Kerri Nelson and I headed back to the Hartford Medical Amphitheater in Bridgeport to once again look at the weather. There was a threat of severe thunderstorms, but thankfully that didn’t materialize. we are here for put the elephant in a cage The “Neon Pill” tour we are all really looking forward to. Not only cage on stage, but they brought out one of my favorite bands, Young The Giant. Add in UK’s Bakar and Avalon Willow and you have a recipe for a great night of music.
Avalon Willow kicked off the festivities, and many people had already gathered. Avalon Willow may seem out of place with her country style, but her performance is both dynamic and memorable. She was friendly and people appreciated her light-hearted banter. She started her set with “Stranger,” followed by “Honey Ain’t No Sweeter.” The audience came alive as her band played energetic melodies. Willow’s voice is powerful and full of emotion. “Raise Some Hell” and “Homewrecker” are fan favorites.
Photos Carey Nelson
Next up is Bakar from the UK. I knew Bakar from numerous broadcasts on Sirius XM’s Alt Nation. Bakar performed solo, singing pre-recorded numbers, and his performance was extremely stylish. His voice is very unique and his beats are truly addictive. Bakar’s stage presence is heartfelt. He seemed to really enjoy the evening and the appreciative audience. Bakar opened with “All In”, and immediately everyone in the venue was enjoying the Bakar atmosphere. He then goes into “1st Time,” which features a snippet of King Harvest’s “Dancing In The Moonlight.”
Photos Carey Nelson
Bakar went on to create “Right Here, For Now” and “Stop Selling Her Drugs”, which featured Dominic Fike on Bakar’s EP, Are you willing to be my yellow?. Bakar saved the best for last. He performed his hits “Alive” and “Small Time Girl” before finishing with his monster hit “Hell N Back.” The whole scene with Bakar is hilarious and the home is really fun to watch.
After Bakar, one of the main reasons I participated was to get on stage. Young the Giant is no stranger to AMP. All the staff are true fans. We produced several feature films for the orchestra. I’ve been on at least four of their tours and the band always seems to get better and better. In my opinion, lead singer Sameer Gadhia has one of the most beautiful and dynamic voices ever. His voice attracted me in a holistic way. It’s almost spiritual.
The musical talent of the orchestra is also outstanding. They play with undying passion. They can look gorgeously lush with ease while displaying dramatic grit. In addition to Gadhia (vocals/guitar/keyboards), Young the Giant also includes Jacob Tiley (guitar/keyboards), Eric Cannasta (guitar/vocals/keyboards), Payam Doostzadeh (bass/keyboards/vocals) and Francois Comtois (drums/ percussion)). All the musicians performed impeccably.
Photos Carey Nelson
The first song was “Jungle Youth” and then they immediately went into “The Walk Home”. Sameer then discussed their second album, Mind is higher than thingsalready 10 years old, where has the time gone. The band released “Cough Syrup” which caused a huge response from fans. “Waves” was followed closely by “Dollar Store” and “Cult of Personality”. The crowd continued to sing along, truly enjoying the smooth music that permeated the Amp. “It’s About Time” meets “Call Me Back.” Gadia has been drawing crowds. Everyone is enjoying the wonderful music.
The second half of the performance was a singing feast for young people. Each song brought huge success to the band. “Superposition,” “Mind Over Matter,” and the funky “Tightrope” are just dope. The whole audience stood up and sang loudly. The young giant was in complete control. The band ended their night with a monster performance of “Silvertongue” and “My Body.” The young giant once again proved himself to be a top-notch performer with a stellar performance.
this is my first experience put the elephant in a cage live. This band has always had a place in my heart with their avant-garde vocals and energetic soundscapes. Lead singer Matt Schultz came out on a scooter with his boots on. It looked like he had a broken foot, but he didn’t see that as a disadvantage and made the most of that scooter. The audience roared every time he stood up.
It’s a fun game, but 2023 is not Schultz’s time. He had something of a mental breakdown due to the fears he developed during the pandemic. He was eventually arrested for possession of a firearm while staying at New York’s Bowery Hotel. Fortunately, he was able to plead and get help back to reality. He exposed all his inner struggles put the elephant in a cage‘s latest album, Neon pills. He talked about how the past 5 years have been difficult for him and thanked everyone for their support. Additionally, Matt said he will always remember Bridgeport because he just adopted a puppy.
From the first song, we have pyro. “Broken Boy” from their 2019 album, social cuesthe stage was flooded by fire. It was definitely a super opening and the audience was excited. The band also includes Brad Shultz (rhythm guitar/vocals), Daniel Tichenor (bass/vocals), Jared Champion (drums), Nick Bockrath (lead guitar/keys) and Matthan Minster (keys/rhythm guitar), delivering an unrivaled performance . They played tight and on point.
Photos Carey Nelson
Next up were “Cry Baby,” “Spider Head,” “No Time to Say Goodbye,” and “Good Times.” All the while, Matt left the house standing, bathed in the sonic hail of the band’s arrangements. put the elephant in a cage Unleash a kaleidoscopic torrent of beauty. “Cold Cold Cold” is charming, but when the band sings the title track of their 2024 album neon pillthe house was lost. Its captivating aura imbues Amp with bold enthusiasm.
Among their 19 songs, put the elephant in a cage There was a sound like an avalanche. “No Rest for the Wicked,” “The Rainbow,” “Telescope” and “Sabertooth” all pack a punch. The encore continued their explosive barrage. “Shake Me Down,” “Cigarette Daydreams” and “Come A Little Closer” are all powerful and leave audiences feeling satisfied and satisfied.
All in all it was a great night full of heavy music.
Number of views: 6
