The Target Center exploded into a stage of space jams when Cage the Elephant, Portugal. The Man, and Twin Peaks took the area by storm on Friday June 10th. Each band delivered their own sound to welcoming fans, often with arms in the air and lyrics on their lips. Blended by a thread of eclectic musicianship, this concert settled into the hearts of all the attendees, sparking one giant dance party.
Twin Peaks, a five piece band from Chicago, opened up the night with some alternative surf rock jams. Each of the three lead singers took turns bringing different perspectives to their songs that amped up the crowd in preparation for the rest of the night. Their set included new songs off their album Down in Heaven, as well as others from their catalog. They closed their set with a jam that was reminiscent of times past, lacing heavy guitar riffs, synths, and drums into a tightly woven upbeat blaster.
Next up was Portugal. The Man, a five piece band, from Wasilla, Alaska. Creating an almost indescribable sound, this band tapped into all elements of instrumentals, bringing home aspects of funk, blues, rock, acid-trip rock, and surf rock. Slightly out of character for an indie rock band, Portugal. The Man came equipped with a hype man that encouraged audience participation and energy. Their live light show swam over the audience creating a magical experience of immersion into their rock n’ roll church. Closing their set with their hit “Purple Yellow Red & Blue”, Portugal. The Man welcomed us all deeper into their psychedelic world, playing many of their songs from their last album Evil Friends.
Setlist: Hip Hop Kids/ Atomic Man/ Guns & Dogs/ Chicago/ Head Is a Flame (Cool With It)/ Got It All (This Can’t Be Living Now)/ Evil Friends/ Modern Jesus/ Holy Roller (Hallelujah)/ Feel it Still/ All Your Light / The Home / I Want You (She’s So Heavy)/ Purple Yellow Red and Blue
Rounding out this cascading rock evening, Cage the Elephant, a six piece band from Bowling Green, Kentucky, took the stage by storm, and from the jump, didn’t hold back the energy. For over 90 minutes, this powerhouse group tantalized the audience with hits from their catalog as well as songs from their new album Tell Me I’m Pretty. Lead singer Matthew Shultz had so much stage energy that he was hopping, jumping, and basically parkouring from every available surface. Occasionally their lead guitarist would walk out into the stage, centered in the middle of the crowd, for an epically pleasing guitar solo hailing from the heavens. At one point, a dark fog rolled in as they switched to some of their moodier tracks. As they closed out the night, Cage the Elephant graced the arena with a three song encore, complete with their hit “Cigarette Daydreams.”
Four hours, three bands, dozens of songs, and one full concert dance party. Cage the Elephant, Portugal. The Man, and Twin Peaks definitely blew the roof off the Target Center. They turned just an ordinary Friday night into something out of this world.
Set List: Cry Baby/ In One Ear/ Spiderhead/ Take It or Leave It/ Aberdeen/ Too Late to Say Goodbye/ Cold Cold Cold/ Trouble/ Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked/ Mess Around/ Punchin’ Bag/ Telescope/ Back Against the Wall/ It’s Just Forever/ Come a Little Closer/ Encore: Cigarette Daydreams/ Shake Me Down/ Teeth
Encore (Courtesy of Jeremy Larsen)
