Kicking off the last month of summer, California-based rock band Young the Giant brought power, poise and passion to Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 1. The lineup — which featured punk duo Girl Tones, country singer Willow Avalon, British indie singer Bakar, Young the Giant and headlining alternative rock band Cage the Elephant — promised an evening of incredible music for all in attendance.
Dynamic sibling duo Girl Tones kicked off the evening, delivering a set best described as bluesy, intergalactic rock. The highlight was their performance of their new single, “Fade Away,” which showcased frontwoman Kenzie Crowe’s vocal and guitar skills, along with drummer Laila Crowe’s infectious passion.
Following Girl Tones was the outlier of the evening, Willow Avalon. A Georgia native, Avalon blends a classic country twang with a fresh, almost addictive sound. Wearing classic cowboy boots, Avalon danced gracefully around the stage, performing songs like “Tequila or Whiskey,” “Honey Ain’t No Sweeter,” her latest release “Homewrecker” and “Yodelayheewho,” during which she brought friend and vocalist Maggie Antone onstage.
Vibey, feel-good singer Bakar followed Avalon, performing songs including a cover of Dominic Fike’s “3 Nights” and his hit “Hell N Back,” the latter widely known on TikTok. Bakar took it upon himself to energize the crowd before Young the Giant’s set. By the end of his performance, the entire audience was standing and clapping along to the beat.
After Bakar, it was finally time for Young the Giant. Admittedly, we hadn’t been huge fans before that night, but after their set opening for Cage the Elephant, we were hooked. Frontman Sameer Gadhia captivated the audience from the start with their opening song “Jungle Youth.” With powerful guitar riffs and an irresistible drumbeat, it was the perfect opener for a set that can only be described as electric.
Young the Giant played the longest set of the night, featuring “Cough Syrup” (one of our new favorites), “Bitter Fruit,” “My Body” and their most well-known hit, “Mind Over Matter.” Their performance was exhilarating, and we left with plenty of new songs to add to our Apple Music libraries.
After Young the Giant wrapped up their set with “My Body,” the crowd was fully energized for Cage the Elephant. With the sun already set, the stage lights lit up in preparation for the headliners. They kicked things off with the upbeat track “Broken Boy,” driven by a rapid, thumping bassline. Despite a broken leg, frontman Matt Schultz captivated the audience, skillfully maneuvering across the stage on a scooter.
While this was the band’s tour for their newest album, “Neon Pill,” they made sure to play tracks from their older albums to keep the attention of both new and longtime fans. These songs included “Cold Cold Cold” (one of my favorites), “Trouble,” “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” the widely popular “Cigarette Daydreams” and our personal favorite, “Come a Little Closer,” which served as their encore.
Cage the Elephant not only delivered an intoxicating performance but also enhanced their stage presence with special effects, including onstage flames that we could feel from behind the pit. Fans were all on their feet, singing along and soaking in the band’s magnetic energy.
Though we’re not fans of summer, the outdoor performances, especially at a venue like Ascend Amphitheater, were a great way to enjoy the last bit of it before the semester kicked into full swing.
