Cage the Elephant Shake Up Manchester with Electrifying Return

After five years away, Cage the Elephant made a triumphant return to Manchester, delivering a high-energy performance at the O2 Apollo that had the crowd hanging on every moment.

Frontman Matt Shultz was a force of nature, hurling himself across the stage, climbing onto the barrier, and throwing his body into every note. His theatrical abandon—part Iggy Pop, part Mick Jagger—was mesmerising, a comparison that is nothing short of a huge compliment. Midway through the set, as he hoisted a mic stand above his head during Sabertooth Tiger, it was clear that this wasn’t just another gig. It was a statement.

Touring in support of their new album Neon Pill, the Kentucky six-piece balanced fresh material with their biggest hits. The swaggering Broken Boy set the tone, followed by the bluesy stomp of Cry Baby. The cinematic Too Late to Say Goodbye gave off all the feels, while Cold Cold Cold and Ready to Let Go kept the energy surging. By the time Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked rolled around, guitarist Nick Bockrath’s solo was scorching, and the entire venue was moving.

The encore saw Brad Shultz smash his guitar, Matt toss roses into the crowd for Valentine’s Day, and the band close with Cigarette Daydreams and Come A Little Closer, the latter turning the Apollo into a mass singalong.

Opening acts Girl Tones and Sunflower Bean set the stage with style. The former, a raw and raucous duo produced by Cage’s Brad Shultz, delivered a fuzzed-out blast of energy, while the latter brought a heady mix of Zeppelin-style riffing and Nirvana-like grit. Both proved to be more than just warm-ups—they were highlights in their own right.

After 22 songs and 90 minutes of controlled chaos, Cage the Elephant showed exactly why they’ve earned a reputation as one of the most exhilarating live bands of their generation. Five years away felt like a lifetime, but it was worth the wait.