YOUNG THE GIANT
w/ Cassandra Coleman
10/1/25 – The Orphuem – Madison, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/NuofferMedia.com
Another beautiful fall day in Madison led us to State Street, the famous strip of bars and restaurants next to the University of Wisconsin, stretching up toward the State Capitol. The street was alive with people enjoying patios and shopping while the bright Orpheum signage flashed above. The marquee below read “Young the Giant.” The historic venue shone as a true beacon of entertainment. A line stretched down to the corner as fans chatted excitedly about which songs they hoped to hear.
The history of the building is a marvel in itself. It was the first in the state to feature air conditioning and remains one of the few surviving movie-palace-style constructions still in full service in Wisconsin. For nearly a century, this national landmark has hosted countless musicians and movie stars. Walking through the box office doors, past security and ticket scanning, the lavish décor immediately comes into view. Red carpet and white tile line the floor, drawing out the intricate white and gold patterns on the walls and bannisters of the wraparound stairs leading to the balcony. Straight ahead, touring merchandise fills the left wall, while the bar stands just beyond for those looking to grab a drink.
From there, you can head right or left down hallways that carry the same ornate design, with theater doors waiting at the end. Inside, the space continues the white and gold theme, with a ceiling decorated in unique patterns. Renovated during COVID, the Orpheum is now in peak form and alive with its own character.
The venue filled quickly, and right on time, the lights dimmed. Cassandra Coleman, the former American Idol contestant, took the stage, nearly floating to the microphone at the front edge. The hushed crowd waited patiently as she settled in. Then her voice filled the room with stunning power.
Check out the Cassandra Coleman concert photo gallery below:
Coleman moved delicately around the mic stand, but her presence hardly needed embellishment. The precision of her voice alone was captivating. In just a thirty-minute set, she turned heads and left a strong impression.
For this intimate performance, the stage was set like a living room. The band’s décor consisted simply of their equipment, with orange stained-glass lamps and fake candles. The performance area wasn’t spread out. It was fairly tight for such a large stage, but it felt homey. Just before Young the Giant took the stage, a stagehand walked around burning sage. No bad vibes on this night.
Opening with “Islands” and “The Walk Home,” the Orpheum lit up with applause and voices singing along to every lyric. The night was going to be something different, yet still familiar. After finishing “Apartment,” the band took a few moments to talk about the creation of their first album. Frontman Sameer Gadhia spoke candidly about how “Apartment” was about where they came from and their early beginnings. He mentioned they would be playing their hits and songs about sailing, with some new tracks sprinkled in. He encouraged the crowd to stand up and dance as they launched into one of their most well-known songs, “Cough Syrup.”
The mood was fun and vibrant. The audience understood this might be a more stripped-down version of their show, but it was still full of energy. Even moving into “Ships Passing,” “Tonight,” and “Firelight,” it felt like one of their regular gigs. Jacob Tilley, on lead guitar, moved around the right side of the stage, mouthing lyrics and occasionally adding little jumps to his movements. On the left side, Eric Cannata remained seated as he manned every instrument he could. Whether it was guitar, ukulele, or synthesizer, he was a true jack of all trades. Behind frontman Gadhia stood drummer François Comtois, with bassist Payam Doostzadeh leaning on a nearby stool. Warm orange and green lighting filled the stage and floor seating.
The heart of the performance allowed the band to explore their discography. They dished out songs like “Panoramic Girl,” “I Got,” “Art Exhibit,” and “Amerika.” Just when it seemed they were heading in a predictable direction, they threw a curveball with the unreleased track “Bitter Fruit,” from their In the Open album. As fans knew, the In the Open moniker was something the band created, an idea Gadhia credited to a photographer who joined them while traveling through the Utah salt flats. They decided to pull out their equipment and record a few tracks outdoors. That experiment evolved into a stripped-down format and eventually into theater performances across the nation. These behind-the-scenes anecdotes were gripping. Hearing about their creative process and then experiencing it live was something special.
Perhaps saving the best for last, Young the Giant skipped an encore and closed the night with a few final songs. Starting with “Superposition,” their hit from Mirror Master, the lyrics about the pull of fate and love, expressed in loosely scientific terms, struck a chord. The catchy chorus, layered over a charango as the main instrument, showcased the band’s creativity in full. This led to a brief storytelling moment where Gadhia reflected on walking through the UW campus and realizing they were the same age when they made their first album. Then came the heavy expectations of their second album, Mind Over Matter. He admitted that the album’s reaction was mixed, but it reflected their youth and growth. The performance of “Mind Over Matter,” with its soft whisper vocals and acoustic twang reverberating through the Orpheum, was moving. The audience’s love for the track was clear, and it was obvious it held deep meaning for the band as well.
Check out the Young the Giant concert photo gallery below:
Closing with “Life Is a Long Goodbye” was a simple and elegant way to say, “We’ll see you later.” A perfect chef’s kiss to an already incredible evening. The standing ovation lasted minutes as Young the Giant walked to the very edge of the stage together and said goodnight. Their stripped-down show was an over-the-top success, and the packed Madison theater emptied out into the beautiful fall night. Looking up at the marquee’s flashing lights, then past it to the Capitol with the stars shining behind, we knew we were meant to be there.
