The Strokes and Cage the Elephant

The Strokes are unquestionably one of the best bands out there, and you can really tell that they have been influenced by The Doors. I love The Doors and so I love The Strokes.

Just like Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Strokes (Julian Casablancas) has an element of shyness to him. The band works together very well and they just look like they belong together: if you watch Fab Moretti (the drummer), he's always looking up and watching the other players really intensely. I really enjoy watching them play together and I love to see them live. They don’t talk to the audience much, and mainly just focus on playing, but they do make some contact with the audience. You can tell that their fans really love them and their concerts are always filled with good people.

Due to the fact that they are so popular they usually play for really large crowds, but if you are very lucky you can catch one of their smaller more intimate performances. I've only ever managed to see them with a large crowd, but I have to say it was still really fun. You get a much bigger atmosphere when there are more people; everyone is so excited, but Julian looks so cool and reserved in his leather coat and sunglasses.

Since I've been a fan of theirs (for more than 10 years), I really think that The Strokes are getting better over time and that is good because I want them to be around for a long time!

I have been following Cage the Elephant since they were a small, local band in Bowling Green, KY. I saw several of their shows before they “blew up” and what struck me was how much they reminded me of early 90s grunge bands.

I saw them again in 2012 in Bowling Green and not a lot has changed in regard to their live show, except for the normal maturation that comes with age and experience. Their shows are an energizing old school rock concert. It is five guys on stage pouring their hearts and souls into the rock music that they love.

Matt Schultz sings and, at times, screams, with every ounce of power in his body. He is one of the few singers working today who has mastered the art of the seamlessly transitioning from quietly singing to exploding with loud, frenetic energy in a matter of seconds.

I have loved the Cage the Elephant shows that I have been to. I made sure to get there early and get to the front of the mosh pit. Matt Schultz interacts with the crowd and the energy near the stage is always most exciting. Schultz also has a reputation for crowd surfing and has done it at all of the shows I have been to. Be prepared to catch him when he leaps, because it is almost guaranteed to happen.

Whether it is through their musical performance on stage or carrying their lead singer through the crowd, a Cage the Elephant show will not disappoint.