Cage the Elephant: Unleashed

Cage the Elephant
Showbox Sodo, Seattle, WA
08.27.14

If the longest line in the history of man wasn’t a good enough indicator, then the vibrant red “SOLD OUT” sign on the counter window sure did the trick. Word on the street was that Cage the Elephant throws a really great show, and while I patiently waited outside there was no reason to think otherwise. I saw plenty of tour shirts from their 2011 stint, proudly worn by CtE fans who had that veteran look in their eyes. They had a fairly good idea of what stories the tickets in their hands represented. Although I had time enough while I waited to run a complex, algorithm-laden poll, I wanted to evaluate this mysterious, dynamic element myself.

As we filled the floor body to body, I politely gave up my space next to the bouncy, dancing kids. Space was at a premium, and the jumpers were tough to avoid. Everyone was ready to flail with abandon. Deafening cheers filled Sodo as singer Matt Shultz blazed onto the stage like he’d been set on fire. He would spend the next 75 minutes looking for a fire extinguisher that would never come.

Drenched in sweat by the fourth song, Shultz promptly removed his shirt before taking a crazy dive into the crowd. Floating atop the mass of bodies and running back through to the stage, he would do this multiple times during their set as their roadie frantically tried to keep the wires clean. The time that Shultz spent on stage was just as engaging, though, as he displayed more crazy energy than anyone in my viewing portfolio could rival. Before they started in on Cigarette Daydreams, Shultz addressed the crowd with, “Seattle! Seattle! What if we took every one of our songs and made them about Seattle?!” If there’s one thing Seattleites love, it’s glorifying Seattle. As the evening found its highest point, he recognized the crowd for their gusto, saying, “If you guys weren’t so great, I would’ve died like three songs ago.” And continuing on about the oven-like atmosphere: “It’s not fog, it’s steam. It’s the odor of love. Bottle it up, sell it, drink it. It’ll make you a better person.” Now it all makes sense. They have a special elixir. Duh.

Pensive and meditative, Seattle duo Iska Dhaaf opened Sodo this evening with a solid thunderclap. If one was lucky enough to have made it inside on time, they were privileged to a 40-minute set that ran a great local compliment to the headliner. Consisting of members Benjamin Verdoes and Nathan Quiroga, they find inspiration in writing and reflection, and compose their music with abandon to their last. They will be playing Bumbershoot this weekend, but, unfortunately for Seattle, Iska Dhaaf will be permanently taking their talents to New York in September. Luckily, you can always visit their site at iskadhaaf.com.

Cage the Elephant Set List:
Spiderhead
In One Ear
Aberdeen
Take It or Leave It
Cigarette Daydreams
Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
Halo
Telescope
Back Against the Wall
Black Widow
It’s Just Forever
Teeth
(Encore):
Come A Little Closer
Shake Me Down
SaberTooth Tiger