Neon Pill Tour: Cage the Elephant’s Triumphant Return to Live Performances with Young The Giant, Willow Avalon, and Bakar
On a Monday afternoon, at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater, we had the privilege of attending, reviewing, and photographing a powerhouse lineup featuring Cage The Elephant, Young The Giant, Bakar, and Willow Avalon. Cage The Elephant has been sweeping across North America on their “Neon Pill Tour,” and their performance at the Hartford Amphitheater in Bridgeport was nothing short of electrifying. As we type this, we still have to pinch ourselves to believe we experienced this event. But let's set aside our 16-year-old fangirl selves for a moment and dive into the show with open minds. From the first note, the energy in the venue was strong, and by the end of the night, it was clear this concert would be memorable.
The night kicked off with Southern Belle Raisin Hell, Miss Willow Avalon, who immediately commanded the stage with her powerful presence. Hailing from Georgia, Avalon brought her unique style, complete with floral-adorned microphones and cowboy boots, setting the perfect country vibe. Her voice was nothing short of captivating, and the band’s skillful instrumentation added an authentic flair to her performance. Songs like "Tequila or Whiskey," "Yodelayheewho," and "Honey Ain't No Sweeter" showcased her pop-folk-country sound, which the audience loved.
Though Avalon might not seem like the typical opener for a band like Cage the Elephant, her inclusion in the lineup was a pleasant surprise. Her band delivered an outstanding performance, infusing the evening with energy and setting the stage for the acts to follow. We definitely dove into her discography after the show and can’t stop singing "Yodelayheewho." Here are a couple of our favorite shots we took of her set.
Bakar took the stage just moments after, and despite being a solo artist, he filled the venue with an energy that could easily rival a full band. Hailing from Camden Town, London, Bakar was performing in Connecticut for the first time, and any initial nerves quickly faded as the crowd embraced him with open arms. His voice resonated through the venue, and his commanding stage presence had the audience swaying in unison, with many forming heart shapes with their hands as they moved to the beat. It was clear that Bakar had quickly won over the crowd.
As Bakar's set progressed, his smooth delivery kept the audience fully engaged, with everyone tuned in to every note. When he closed with his hit "Hell n’ Back," the crowd sanged along with an intensity that matched Bakar's own. The energy in the room was electric, and it was evident that Bakar had made a lasting impression on his first Connecticut performance. Here are some of our favorite shots we took of him.
Young the Giant took the stage next, captivating the crowd with their mix of ballads, dance-ready anthems, and moodier tracks that were perfectly complemented by the fans at some point flashing their lights. Though they were part of the opening act, the fans—including us—went absolutely wild. We've been fans since the Tumblr days when their music was a staple in movie edits, and seeing them live was nothing short of nostalgic.
They were celebrating the 10th anniversary of Mind Over Matter, and frontman Sameer Gadhia expressed that the band has never stuck to one thing over the past 15 years. This tour was about playing songs they don’t usually perform, which played in our favor when they delivered "Waves." It took everything in me not to drop my camera and just immerse myself in the moment. Gadhia mentioned how Mind Over Matter didn’t initially receive the love it deserved but has since become a fan-favorite, a testament to the band’s evolving artistry. Before launching into the title track, Gadhia made it clear that Young the Giant are committed to changing and growing as artists, unapologetically. After finally seeing them live, we couldn’t agree more. Here are some shots we took that we love!
Before we talk about Cage The Elephant, we wanted to mention that while we were waiting in the parking lot to pick up our tickets from the box office, we heard them sound checking "End of Beginning" by Djo. For a moment, it felt like we were in a music video—no exaggeration. Although they didn’t perform this cover during the show, to be honest, they should definitely add it to the setlist.
Cage the Elephant hit the stage like they had something to prove, kicking off their set with “Broken Boy,” and instantly sending the energy in the room through the roof. Despite Matt Shultz’s broken foot, he rolled out on a scooter, giving it his all as fire shooters erupted from the stage, matching the intensity of his screams. As we snapped photos, the crowd behind us went wild, their excitement palpable even through earplugs, with every fan belting out the lyrics at the top of their lungs. The intensity only grew when guitarist Brad Shultz dove into the crowd, immersing himself in the sea of fans.
We witnessed a joyful Matt Shultz, who announced he had adopted a new puppy and was eager to show off the "new tricks and stuff" he learned on his scooter. After overcoming his addiction in 2023, Shultz has remained open about his journey into sobriety, turning his story into a source of inspiration for his ever-growing audience. As long-time fans, it was clear to us that the band had a renewed energy, eager to showcase what they've been working on after a two-year hiatus from touring.
The setlist was packed with over 20 songs from various albums, including highlights from their latest release, "Neon Pill," such as “Good Time,” “Rainbow,” and of course, the title track “Neon Pill.” We knew Cage the Elephant was known for their electrifying performances, but nothing could have prepared us for the intensity of this show. The crowd, ourselves included, matched the band's chaotic energy, screaming just as loud as Matt and moving with the same wild abandon. Everyone in that venue gave it everything they had, making it a night to remember. Here are some of the highlight we took of their sets!
We’re already counting down the days until we get the chance to see them live again. A special shoutout to the incredible people who wanted to be featured in the blog—your energy made the night even better. Let us know what you think of this review, and as always, groupies, we can’t wait to show you what’s coming next!
All our love,
Your Favorite Groupies
