The criminally under-used Unity Works in Wakefield was the quite frankly, surprising venue to host Kentucky noise-niks Cage The Elephant. With probably the best sound system of all the venues in West Yorkshire, the mainly youth filled venue (including my teenage daughter) was anticipating a lively, hot and sweaty Friday night out. And they weren’t to be disappointed.

Following the impressive half an hour support slot of Chrome Pony, on strolled the 5 piece, lead by vocalist Matthew Shultz to almost rapturous applause. Without ceremony, they launched into Cry Baby, opening track from new album Tell Me I’m Pretty. This sounded more urgent and vibrant than it does on record, almost certainly helped by the crystal clear acoustics, and suddenly Shultz is in and amongst the crowd.

If 2015 was all about Samuel T Herring from Future Islands and his manic dancing style, 2016 should be about Shultz - part Jagger, part Jack Black in School of Rock, his style is mesmeric, bonkers and fun. These guys know how to put on a show.

They were clearly enjoying the night as much as we were - guitars were hurled at roadies between songs, between song chatter was limited, and both Shultz and guitarist Nick Bockrath spend a fair proportion of the night in the crowd.

5 further tracks from the latest album made up the central portion of the 20 song set, but where this may have resulted in a mid set lull, this did not affect the atmosphere or tempo of the night for one minute. After Shultz admitted this was the first time the band had played Wakefield (or even heard of it I would guess), the audience launched into an impromptu chorus of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire”.....the band even appreciated that by stopping and grinning back. Clearly a lot of love between band and fans.

By the time the time the band finished the main set, most of the sold out crowd were dripping with sweat (and beer which had been flying through the air). Cigarette Daydreams, Shake Me Down & Sabretooth Tiger ended the gig in furious manner, pretty much as per the rest of the night, and it was the end of an adrenaline fuelled night.

Cage The Elephant clearly have a large, loyal following based on the back of 4 albums going back to 2008, but I suspect their reputation is as an explosive live band, and I have to admit, if I see a band with a performance this good in 2016, I’ll be a happy man.

Keith

Cage The Elephant website