Concert Review: Cage the Elephant Ignites Dallas on Their Neon Pill Tour
By: Taarena Rathore
From blazing flames dancing to the beat of the song to colorful laser lights illuminating the stage, Cage The Elephant has taken live music to a whole new level. This summer, the band embarked on their "Neon Pill Tour," named after their newest album, Neon Pill. Despite their recent music release, their setlist was a blend of both new and older songs, taking the audience on a journey of nostalgia and excitement. Their Dallas show at Dickies Arena was one to be remembered.
As the lights dimmed, gritty instrumentals echoed through the stadium and the crowd went ecstatic. Fast paced drumming quickly filled the room as the band began their first song “Broken Boy.” No time was wasted with the pyrotechnics as the fire immediately lined the stage. At this moment lead singer Matt Shultz gave the audience a glimpse into what the rest of his performance would look like. He repeatedly jumped in the air and lifted the mic stand off the ground as the flames framed his body. The rest of the band members contributed to the wild energy of the night, and when you thought the crowd couldn’t get more wild, guitarist Brad Shultz jumped into the pit, playing his instrument right on the barricade. In just under three minutes, Cage the Elephant established the tone for the rest of the night.
Every song was meticulously matched with flawless stage production. In “Trouble,” the lights would dim and flicker to line up with the drumming. The smoke, projections, and lights during the song "Rainbow Lights" resembled clouds in shades of blues and greens before transitioning to rainbow colors that synchronized perfectly with the song lyrics. The audience even played a part during the song “Telescope.” With a few flashlights already in the air, Shultz told the crowd, "Let’s see the lights." Everyone immediately switched theirs on, illuminating the dark venue from the audience. As the set was nearing the end the flames went up again for “House of Glass,” and as the track concluded, Brad Shultz raised his guitar high in the air before smashing it on the ground.
The band's energy and adrenaline were infectious, spreading throughout the entire arena. Whether you were up front at the barricade or seated further back, you couldn't help but get swept up in the excitement. Fan’s were continuously dancing, cheering, and singing along. This Dallas show marked the band's final night in Texas, and they ended it on a good note as they told the audience, "Texas has been craziness. Mind blown. It’s been crazy every single night. DALLAS WOO!”
Check out Taarena’s full gallery of Cage the Elephant here.