CAGE THE ELEPHANT
w/ Hey, Nothing + Vlad Holiday
10/17/25 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/NuofferMedia.com
The city of Madison was alive and bustling. This fall evening was unseasonably warm, and the golden rays of the sun shone brightly across the city. East Washington Avenue was packed with people enjoying their nights out on patios and at restaurants. Out front of The Sylvee, a line had already formed to enter the Midwest’s crown jewel of music venues. The marquee read: “Cage The Elephant — SOLD OUT.”
The glass façade of The Sylvee gleamed under the evening light. The doors below opened as fans moved quickly through security and ticket checkpoints. From there, you could head left toward the long bar stretching across the back wall, right toward the tour merch table with its growing line, or straight ahead and down a set of stairs leading to the general admission floor. On the second level, two rows of seating wrapped around the venue with standing room behind them, and above that, the third floor housed private suites.
As the venue filled, Vlad Holiday took the stage. This marked his third visit to Madison in the past year and a half, but this time he arrived with considerable fanfare of his own. His set featured several tracks from his debut album My Favorite Drug, released last year, including “Closer,” “Downtown Baby,” and “I Don’t Wanna Party Anymore.”
Check out the Vlad Holiday concert photo gallery below:
His performance was energetic, despite his drummer being stationed at one end of the stage and his bassist/keyboardist at the other. His vocals were precise and pitch-perfect, but the highlight was his guitar work. Roaming the edge of the stage, he shredded through song after song, contorting his body and whipping his guitar around with flair. As his showmanship grows alongside his catalog, it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a headliner himself.
As direct support, Hey, Nothing took the stage with a simple setup, just overhead stage lighting and microphones positioned near the front beside their monitors. The band consists of guitarists Tyler Mabry and Harlow Phillips, who stood opposite each other with their backing band between them.
Their sound blends genres effortlessly, from emo to folk to rock, creating a uniquely cohesive style. With two EPs and a full-length release last year, they had plenty of material to choose from. Opening with “Sick Dogs” from their early EP 33 Degrees, they smoothly transitioned into “Too Drunk to Drive.”
The set continued with newer tracks like “Black Bear” and “Beluga Whale,” seamlessly woven into the show. Mabry and Phillips exchanged friendly banter between songs, often inside jokes, but always good for a laugh from the packed venue. The atmosphere felt wholesome and genuine, carried by their easy chemistry and down-to-earth energy.
Check out the Hey, Nothing concert photo gallery below:
They closed their set with “The Sink,” “Waiting Room,” and “Hitchhiking.” This Atlanta-based duo delivered songs tackling heavy topics, but that didn’t stop the crowd from enthusiastically embracing every moment. Hey, Nothing’s quick rise in the industry comes as no surprise. Their songs are well-crafted, lyrically strong, and, ultimately, that’s what matters most.
The Sylvee was packed beyond packed for Cage the Elephant‘s arrival. Devoted fans filled every nook and cranny of the venue. As the band took the stage, the setup became much more noticeable. A riser ran the entire length of the stage, with large spotlights positioned behind each wing. On top of the riser stood guitarist Nick Bockrath on the left, drummer Jared Champion in the center, and keyboardist/guitarist Matthan Minster on the right. Down below, Daniel Tichenor manned the left side while guitarist Brad Shultz took the right. Center stage, vocalist Matt Shultz had a microphone stand about a foot from the front ledge, and in front of him an additional walkout was constructed with stairs leading into the pit in front of the barricade. The setup was elaborate and allowed fans to see everyone perform clearly.
Opening with “Broken Boy” and “Cry Baby,” Cage The Elephant ignited the Madison crowd. Arms and hands moved in waves across the general admission floor. Frontman Matt Shultz was flying around the stage, his vocals precise and on point as he flung his body around. His high-flying jumps and mic stand whips were welcomed theatrics. Equally animated was his brother Brad Shultz, who kept his guitar strapped tightly to his chest as he threw himself into the performance. As the band moved through “Spiderhead,” “Too Late To Say Goodbye,” and “Goodtime,” the energy grew stronger with each song. Brad Shultz engaged more and more with the crowd, whether on the floor or along the standing room, always finding ways to connect.
Having performed at Breese Stevens Field last summer, Cage The Elephant returned with a more polished and elaborate stage show. Matt Shultz was also at full health after previously performing with a cast on his ankle. The difference was night and day as they dove into the heart of their set. Performing “Neon Pill,” “Social Cues,” and “Halo,” their colorful and creative songwriting was on full display. The band sounded tight and completely in sync. The crowd’s constant reaction to each track was filled with excitement, and Cage The Elephant had complete control over The Sylvee.
When “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” kicked in, the energy exploded and blew the roof off The Sylvee. The massive hit had the entire venue dancing and singing. As Nick Bockrath and Matthan Minster handled guitar duties, Brad Shultz ran out into the crowd to join the fans in celebration. Their appreciation for the audience is well known, but moments like this show how much they genuinely enjoy performing. When it came time for “Telescope,” the crowd’s voices filled the air as cellphone lights illuminated the sold-out 2,500-cap venue. The song hit home and created a memorable, emotional moment.
Before the encore, the band wrapped up their main set with “House of Glass,” a track unlike anything else in their catalog. Its upbeat electronic edge turned the venue into a dance floor and was the perfect setup for “Sabertooth Tiger” and its raw indie-punk vibe. The energy stayed high as the band took a short encore break.
The encore was a fantastic mix of songs, each with its own flair. Starting with “Back Against The Wall” and moving into “Shake Me Down,” the transition from upbeat rock to a reflective song about the human experience was seamless. The emotion was clear as slight cracks in Matt Shultz’s voice gave away the song’s meaning. The band then launched into “Cigarette Dreams,” adding a clever intro with a snippet of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” The Madison crowd sang every word of the multiplatinum hit. Its popularity has never faded and remains a staple on local radio, much like the closing track “Come A Little Closer.” Cage The Elephant let the audience become part of the finale, closing the night in perfect harmony.
Check out the Cage the Elephant concert photo gallery below:
With impeccable lighting and unstoppable energy filling The Sylvee, Cage The Elephant proved they remain at the top of their game and ready to keep the good times rolling. No one left that venue without a smile. All the hits and fan favorites reminded everyone why live music feels so special. The night was flawless. Cage The Elephant were flawless. Here’s hoping they come back again soon.
