Flames shoot up from the front of the stage, emanating an intense heat as heads rock and hands fly in the air while the music blasts from Cage the Elephant. Photo: @lmsorenson
Flames shoot up from the front of the stage, emanating an intense heat as heads rock and hands fly in the air while the music blasts… But that was a little later in the evening, when Cage the Elephant opened their set. Earlier that day, hours of heat beat down on the arena as fans parked and made their way into the venue with drinks in hand.
Supporting artist Bakar took the stage alone, starting to sing from the center of the stage while the music played. He greeted the audience after a little bit, explaining how he is visiting from London and commenting on how nice it is to be on tour with Cage the Elephant. Bakar has a low-key, indie-alternative vibe with great sound and a sense of longing in his soft delivery of the lyrics.
Up next, the members of Young the Giant took their spots. As the sun shined on and a little bit of smoke popped out from the sides of the stage, lead singer Sameer Gadhia took his guitar as he approached the mic and the tunes began. Playing hits for a very appreciative crowd, “My Body” reverberated throughout the venue as everyone sang along, jumping up and down.
Last in the lineup, Cage the Elephant let the suspense build as the sun retreated and the stage got all set. Members Jared Champion (drums), Daniel Tichenor (bass) and others approached to growing cheers of anticipation as Brad Shultz (vocals) came forward in a light haze, followed by Matt Shultz (guitar) right behind him. Matt had a wireless mic in hand, sporting a sweater vest and an L.A. ball cap, and started singing. Now, there are flames shooting up from the front of the stage as the heat fends off the shouts and screams from the crowd as the music begins and Matt is jumping all over the place. The flames die down, but Cage the Elephant plays on, including some new songs like “Good Time” and “Neon Pill” from their newest album, Neon Pill. The entire set was filled with high energy and good times, and the audience was all for it.
Photos by Logan Sorenson | @lmsorenson
Bakar singing on stage, opening for Cage the Elephant in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
London singer Bakar on stage at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. Photo: @lmsorenson
Bakar pauses as the music takes over from his vocals on stage in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Young the Giant lead singer Sameer Gadhia takes the stage and heads towards the front. Photo: @lmsorenson
Sameer Gadhia of Young the Giant singing on stage in Salt Lake City in front of a huge crowd. Photo: @lmsorenson
Drummer François Comtois of Young the Giant rocking on stage while playing in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Young the Giant playing on stage in Salt Lake City and supporting Cage the Elephant. Photo: @lmsorenson
Singer Sameer Gadhia and drummer François Comtois of Young the Giant on stage at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. Photo: @lmsorenson
Sameer Gadhia of Young the Giant on stage singing in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Young the Giant playing on stage in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Young the Giant and a huge audience at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. Photo: @lmsorenson
Brad and Matt Shultz entering the stage in Salt Lake City for their first stop on their Neon Pill tour. Photo: @lmsorenson
Matt Shultz singing on stage towards the audience in a layer of smoke in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Matt Shultz of Cage the Elephant singing on stage at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. Photo: @lmsorenson
Nick Bockrath of Cage the Elephant playing on stage in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Brad Shultz of Cage the Elephant on stage in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Daniel Tichenor playing bass with Cage the Elephant on stage in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Cage the Elephant’s Matt Shultz playing around, dancing around the fire as the music plays. Photo: @lmsorenson
Jared Champion drumming for Cage the Elephant during their opening tour stop in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Cage the Elephant playing on stage with Matt Shultz jumping in the air as flames erupt from up and down the stage. Photo: @lmsorenson
Flames exploding all over the stage as Cage the Elephant is playing on stage in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
The crowd looks on in awe as the music plays and fire spews from the stage during Cage the Elephant’s tour kickoff show in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Brad Shultz of Cage the Elephant playing on stage in Salt Lake City. Photo: @lmsorenson
Cage the Elephant playing in Salt Lake City while Matt Shultz crouches and jumpscenter frame, as the other band members play on. Photo: @lmsorenson