When Bowling Green, Kentucky-native Cage the Elephant released their self-titled debut album in 2009, some referred to them as saviors of the whole funk-punk music genre, thanks to hit singles like "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked," and “Back Against The Wall,” a pair of songs that has virtually made the band household names after experiencing some moderate billboard chart success coupled with high profile gigs like Bonnaroo, Lallapalooza and an appearance on Late Show with Dave Letterman.
The band is making their return to Kentucky - this Friday April 1st at Headliners Music Hall - in support of their sophomore album Thank You Happy Birthday, which dropped this past January on Jive Records. Debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, Cage The Elephant launched the new year with a ferocious kick of gut-grabbing rock & roll and an album that lead singer Matt Schultz described as “bringing him back to life.” Whatever that means.
Schultz, who admittedly once struggled with a methadone addiction, also struggled to formulate coherent responses in a recent interview leading up to their sold out Louisville show. And although he hinted at a third album that is apparently already in the works, he stopped short of dropping any hints about the new material or possible surprises for the upcoming show. Listen for yourself:
So, needless to say, Schultz and the rest of the Cage The Elephant crew will be looking to bringing themselves and their sound “back to life” by the time they take the stage at Headliner’s this Friday, the 3rd date on a lengthy summer tour which canvases the U.S. (including a return to Louisville on May 5th for the Derby festival) and also takes them to Europe, Canada, and Japan.
Cage The Elephant / Biffy Clyro / Sleeper Agent
Friday, April 1st
Headliners Music Hall
1386 Lexington Rd.
7 pm
All Ages
SOLD OUT
** Jason Ashcraft is a freelance music writer who focuses on Kentucky's original music scene. Visit his blog at
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