Under the Arizona evening sky at Tempe Beach Park, Cage the Elephant delivered the kind of unpredictable, high-voltage performance that sets them apart in today’s music scene. With Matt Shultz’s wild, magnetic stage presence leading the charge, the band’s 6:35 p.m. set on the Home Plate Stage blended garage-rock grit, alternative hooks, and pure showmanship into something that felt alive and impossible to look away from.
Formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Cage the Elephant has been active for two decades, quickly earning a reputation for electrifying live shows after relocating briefly to London. Frontman Matt Shultz and his older brother Brad Shultz anchor the group, known for their raw alternative rock that mixes bluesy swagger with modern edge.
Signature songs like “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” “Shake Me Down,” “Ready to Let Go,” “Cold Cold Cold,” and “Come a Little Closer” have become radio staples, while albums such as Tell Me I’m Pretty (2015) earned a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album. The band has lit up festivals worldwide and continues to draw crowds with their unfiltered energy. There have been no substantial lineup changes in the past few years—the core group remains steady and tight-knit, something longtime fans can take comfort in.
Band Members
- Matt Shultz – lead vocals
- Brad Shultz – rhythm guitar
- Nick Bockrath – lead guitar
- Matthan Minster – guitar, keyboards
- Daniel Tichenor – bass
- Jared Champion – drums
Verified setlist from Innings Festival 2026:
- Broken Boy
- Cry Baby
- Spiderhead
- Too Late to Say Goodbye
- Cold Cold Cold
- Ready to Let Go
- Social Cues
- Halo
- Mess Around
- Trouble
- Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
There’s something quietly — no, nothing about this band is quiet– reassuring about catching a band that has stayed true to its chaotic spirit while growing into festival headliners. Their Innings Festival performance stood out for its sheer vitality—Matt Shultz was wild and fully unleashed, backed by pyrotechnics that lit up the night in a way that felt phenomenal. This was a far cry from the last time many saw them, when Matt powered through on a knee scooter after breaking his foot. If their tour schedule lines up with your plans, their live show remains one of those rare experiences that leaves you feeling genuinely energized long after the lights go down.
