LIVE: CAGE THE ELEPHANT – Clearwater, FL, USA – September 17, 2025

Venue: The BayCare Sound

City: Clearwater, FL

Date: September 17, 2025

Review and Photographs by: James Zambon (https://jameszambon.com)

Cage the Elephant playing at Baycare Sound in Clearwater was one for the books. The Florida summer heat couldn’t even put a damper on the vibe. The crowd was buzzing from the start, ready for a night of loud guitars and big energy. Girl Tones kicked things off and set the bar high right from the start. The energy they put out was massive, and you could tell the crowd fed right off it. The highlight was when Kenzie set up her guitar into a reverberating cacophony of feedback, then jumped off the stage and ran through the pit, giving out high-fives as she went. That moment lit everyone up with smiles, pure rock & roll chaos in the best way! Dexter and the Moonrocks followed, and man, they were fantastic. They call themselves “Western space grunge,” and with a song about aliens, I totally get it, but what came across was this great mix of Americana rock grit with a grungy edge. It’s the kind of sound that feels familiar but fresh simultaneously. Honestly, I could’ve listened to them play all night, but the anticipation for Cage the Elephant was ever-present. I’ll definitely keep an eye out to catch these guys headlining a tour soon.

When Cage finally took the stage, they did it with a literal bang, pyrotechnics erupted at the foot of the stage just moments into the opener, “Broken Boy.” From there it was full throttle. Matt Shultz was a whirlwind, sprinting back and forth nonstop while somehow nailing every phrase. The entire band radiated passion and energy, and the crowd matched it every step of the way. Hearing the new material live was a thrill. Their latest record, Neon Pill, somehow slipped past me at first, but hearing “Neon Pill” and “Good Time” in person cemented how solid that album is. And as much as I loved that, I was even more stoked to hear so many songs from Tell Me I’m Pretty, those tracks hit like they’re made for the stage. Baycare Sound proved once again why it’s such a gem of a venue. The sound was absolutely dialed in—clear, punchy, powerful and there truly isn’t a bad seat in the house. Between the setting, the performance, and the sheer energy of the night, this one’s definitely a highlight of the summer.

SETLIST: Broken Boy – Cry Baby – Spiderhead – Too Late to Say Goodbye – Good Time – Cold Cold Cold – Ready to Let Go – Neon Pill – Social Cues – Mess Around – Trouble – Telescope – Back Against the Wall – House of Glass – Sabertooth Tiger – Shake Me Down – Cigarette Daydreams – Come a Little Closer

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries