Cage The Elephant at The Boardwalk, Sheffield, June 12

Posted by godblessthemusicpress on June 13, 2008 · 1 Comment 

Cage the Elephant are so musically frustrating you don’t know whether to walk out or stand in awe. Consisting of a frontman more annoying than the infamous James from Hadouken, he snarls at the audience, performing the musical equivalent of poking someone repeatedly with a stick. His quick witted lyrics create a contrasting backdrop to the remainder of the band as they try not to lean towards the Offspring American stereotype.

The group definitely have a hip hop flare, yet as vocalist Matt wanders into the audience they take an unexpected heavier dimension. By now Matt is running through the room, hanging from the ceiling and provoking the audience’s attention away from the band’s new direction. Maybe without the stage theatrics the immediate change would have had a different effect- especially when musically Cage the Elephant fail to excite.

Resorting to 90’s strong guitars, with hip hop undertones they’re a strong force to the effect of someone shouting ‘Like me!’ in your face. There’s a definite urgency but as Matt croaks through the final song it’s unsure whether Cage the Elephant’s music and theatrics have the power to last.

Filed under Gig Reviews · Tagged with Cage the Elephant