Radio 94.7, Sacramento’s token indie radio station, recently hosted Spring Fling at the Sleep Train Arena.
The concert’s main performer was Cage the Elephant, an American rock band formed in 2006 in Kentucky.
Preceding Cage the Elephant were various other rock or indie bands, each more popular than the last until the show finished with the main event.
The energy and number of concert-goers matched the popularity of each new band that began playing.
When Bear Hands, the first performer, took the stage, the floor was pitifully. Because our seats weren’t general admission, I was, for the most part, unaffected by changing moods.
Although Bear Hands tried to energize the audience throughout their set, the majority of the audience was unresponsive and spent their time socializing.
Bear Hands lacked stage presence, partially contributing to the reaction from those in the audience.
The music felt like it came straight from a garage band, and depending on your tastes, that can either be exactly what you’re looking for or a disappointment.
Bear Hands is an American rock and post-punk band, and their music was distinctly their own.
After a brief 20 minute break after Bear Hands finished their set, Foals took the stage.
Foals is a British indie-rock band from Oxford. They definitely felt a bit more mainstream in terms musical style.
At first, their style was calmer and more emotional, and then before I knew it, the music shifted to a style that was much closer to punk or even screamo.
It was definitely unexpected, and the transition from a James Bay style of music to scream definitely took me by surprise.
Foals, compared to Bear Hands, had a great stage presence. Lead singer and guitarist Yannis Philippakis brought energy and excitement to the stage, and the audience responded well.
You can tell when an artist feels passionately about their work, and this definitely translated.
Another break was followed by another band, this one considerably more famous amongst the concert-goers than the first two.
The third and final act before Cage the Elephant was an American rock band called Silversun Pickups.
Clearly experienced in performing, they interacted with the audience and with each other on stage.
Seeing the playful demeanor and dynamics between the band members on stage was refreshing after the more individualistic acts that preceded it.
The music was more mainstream and the audience clearly enjoyed their set and really got into the performance.
The vocals were impressive and the quality of music was the best out of the three so far.
However, Silversun Pickups, Foals and Bear Hands all paled in comparison to when Cage the Elephant took the stage.
Immediately, the crowd went wild for the band. It was clear that they were the main event and what the audience had been waiting for.
The energy in the arena spiked as Cage the Elephant began to play.
The songs they played were either their hit singles or songs off their newest album, Tell Me I’m Pretty.
The lead vocalist, Matthew Schultz, was a seasoned pro when it came to filling the stage with energy and engaging the audience.
One of my favorite parts of the night was watching him dance all over the stage with seemingly endless stores of energy.
Another memorable moment was when Matthew Schultz’s brother and guitar player for the band jumped down from the stage and interacted directly with the audience.
Cage the Elephant proved themselves a band worth remembering in two ways: the performance they delivered and the quality of the music and vocals.
While the concert was incredibly fun, I could’ve just seen Cage the Elephant and been content with my evening.
Spring Fling was a great way to spend a Saturday night and I would definitely recommend getting tickets for next year, especially if the headline artist is as talented as Cage the Elephant.
One of my favorite parts of the night was watching him dance all over the stage with seemingly endless stores of energy.
Another memorable moment was when Matthew Schultz’s brother and guitar player for the band jumped down from the stage and interacted directly with the audience.
Cage the Elephant proved themselves a band worth remembering in two ways: the performance they delivered and the quality of the music and vocals.
While the concert was incredibly fun, I could’ve just seen Cage the Elephant and been content with my evening.
Spring Fling was a great way to spend a Saturday night and I would definitely recommend getting tickets for next year, especially if the headline artist is as talented as Cage the Elephant.
One of my favorite parts of the night was watching him dance all over the stage with seemingly endless stores of energy.
