Cage The Elephant ‘Shake’ New York City Fans With Intimate Club Performance

With a brand new album out this week and a song that's climbing the rock radio charts, alt-rockers Cage the Elephant played an intimate show to an energetic and excited crowd in New York City last night (Oct. 9). On the heels of the release of 'Melophobia,' the band's third studio album, SiriusXM created an invitation-only concert at The Studio at Webster Hall, a venue in New York City's East Village that holds around 300 people.

Considering Cage the Elephant are a band that's used to playing in front of much larger crowds, this was no doubt a special show for all in attendance. For those who weren't lucky enough to be at The Studio, the show was broadcast live as it happened on SiriusXM's Alt Nation channel.

Playing tunes that span their entire career, Cage the Elephant didn't hold anything back, and in fact had a few surprises up their sleeves. Opening with 'Spiderhead,' the same track that opens 'Melophobia,' the band set the stage for a 60-plus minute performance that was nonstop energy.

While Cage the Elephant jammed some fan favorites like 'Ain't No Rest for the Wicked' and 'Shake Me Down,' the focus of the set list was on their new album as nine out of the album's 10 tracks were performed live, including the current single 'Come a Little Closer.' If there were any fans in attendance who were having second thoughts about picking up 'Melophobia,' those hesitations were surely put to rest.

With little chatter between songs, Cage the Elephant frontman Matt Shultz put on an intense show the entire night, bouncing around and banging his head to the catchy beats of his band's songs. His energy was best captured during the song 'It's Just Forever,' when he welcomed Alison Mosshart of The Kills to the stage. Mosshart is featured on the new album, but nobody in the audience expected her to join Matt and company in New York City. Matching Shultz's energy, Mosshart exceeded all expectations during the powerful duet.

Mosshart wasn't the only special guest last night. Joining Cage the Elephant for a couple of songs was a three-piece horn section. Blasting through 'Hypocrite' and 'Black Widow,' Shultz informed the crowd that this was the first time they ever played together, adding even more excitement to the spectacle.

From crowdsurfing to doing a handstand on top of the audience (check out the photo below), Shultz kept the crowd engaged for the entire set. Cage the Elephant have been jamming and making music for less than a decade, but with last night's intimate and exclusive performance, they proved they've got a lot to offer to rock 'n' roll community.

Photos of Cage the Elephant at The Studio at Webster Hall:

Cage the Elephant Set List - The Studio at Webster Hall - Oct. 9, 2013
'Spiderhead'
'In One Ear'
'Aberdeen'
'Take It or Leave It'
'Halo'
'Ain't No Rest for the Wicked'
'Back Against the Wall'
'Telescope'
'Come a Little Closer'
'Hypocrite'
'Black Widow'
'It's Just Forever' (featuring Alison Mosshart)
'Teeth'
'Shake Me Down'

Encore
'Sabertooth Tiger'