Red Rocks Set Ablaze: Cage the Elephant’s Unforgettable Night

The band brought their famed high energy – this time with wheelies and flame throwers.

American rock band Cage the Elephant took the Red Rocks stage on September 18th in their typical electrifying fashion — this time with a thrilling, potentially hazardous display of wheelies and flame throwers.

Band members Matt Shultz (vocals), his older brother Brad Shultz (rhythm guitar), Nick Bockrath (lead guitar), Matthan Minster (guitar, keyboards), Daniel Tichenor (bass), and Jared Champion (drums) are known for putting on a show. Frontman Schultz’s eccentric performances have historically included stripping down to his underwear and fishnet tights, so he addressed the other “elephant in the room.”

 “Captain obvious here – I broke my foot.”

He promised the crowd it would not hinder his performance, and the crowd’s affirmative roar after each song confirmed that. Schultz did not hesitate to perform wheelies, using the scooter as more of a stage prop than a health-care necessity. Fans fed off his high energy, cheering him on and encouraging him to use the Red Rocks stage as his personal skate park.

Schultz continued to engage the crowd throughout the evening with a vulnerability that quieted the crowd.

“I’ve had some rough years for 5 years…as everyone did,” Schultz said. “If you see someone struggling, don’t be afraid to tell them you love them.”

Fans cheered in agreement, many knowing about the band’s struggles and the meaning behind the band’s release of their most personal album to date, Neon Pill. Schultz has explained that the album – specifically its title track, Neon Pill – is about his struggle with psychosis after being prescribed a pill for his ADHD. 

Schultz explained in an interview with the New York Times that at the time he wrote the song, he was convinced someone was tampering with his medicine in an attempt to poison him. His paranoia was extreme — to the point that he divorced his wife, Eva, later remarrying her, and in 2023 was arrested under illegal gun possession charges. 

The arrest marked a turning point that saved his life. 

Now back to releasing music after their 5-year hiatus, Cage the Elephant is on a global tour. They brought openers Bakar, Girl Tones, and Willow Avalon to Red Rocks.

The band closed out the evening with nothing but continued high energy and gratitude for their fans. 

“Thank you for making space for us in our life. It’s a big deal to make space in your heart for something, so we really appreciate it,” said Schultz.

To read more about Cage the Elephant and upcoming shows, visit their website here.