Matt Shultz is vibrating. That’s the only way to describe a Cage the Elephant show in 2026. If you’ve ever stood in a muddy field or a packed arena waiting for those first jagged chords of "Broken Boy" to rip through the PA system, you know exactly what I’m talking about. People obsess over the Cage the Elephant setlist because it isn’t just a list of songs; it’s a cardio workout for both the band and the audience.
The setlist has changed. A lot.
Back in the Tell Me I'm Pretty era, things felt a bit more blues-soaked and groovy. Then Social Cues hit, and suddenly everything got darker, more synth-heavy, and deeply personal. Now, following the release of Neon Pill, the band has found this weird, beautiful middle ground. They aren't just playing the hits. They’re threading a needle between the garage-rock chaos of their Kentucky roots and the polished, psychedelic alt-rock that has made them festival headliners globally.
The Core DNA of the Current Setlist
If you go to a show tonight, you’re going to hear "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked." They tried dropping it once or twice years ago, and the fan backlash was... loud. But honestly, the band plays it with a bit of a wink now. It’s faster. It’s grittier.
Most nights, the Cage the Elephant setlist follows a very specific emotional arc. They usually open with something high-octane. Think "Spiderhead" or "Cry Baby." These tracks serve a purpose: they purge the nervous energy from the room. Matt usually spends the first three songs sprinting from one edge of the stage to the other, occasionally wearing three layers of clothes he’ll eventually discard. It’s theatrical. It’s messy. It’s perfect.
Interestingly, the middle of the set has become much more atmospheric. They’ve been leaning heavily into Neon Pill tracks like "Rainbow" and the title track itself. These songs have a shimmering, almost neon-drenched quality that contrasts sharply with the raw punk energy of "Sabertooth Tiger." Speaking of "Sabertooth Tiger," that’s usually the closer. If you aren't covered in someone else's sweat by the time that song ends, you probably weren't really at the show.
Why the Order Matters
The pacing is intentional. Brad Shultz (guitar) has mentioned in various interviews over the years that they view the set as a "conversation." You don't start a conversation by screaming, then whisper for an hour, then scream again. You build.
You’ll notice a "cool down" period about forty-five minutes in. This is where "Trouble" or "Cigarette Daydreams" usually appears. These are the "phones in the air" moments. It gives the band a second to breathe—literally, because Matt is often performing with such intensity that he looks like he might spontaneously combust—and it lets the crowd sing along. The communal aspect of "Cigarette Daydreams" is probably the closest thing to a religious experience you’ll find in a modern rock concert.
Deep Cuts and Surprising Omissions
Every fan has that one song they’re dying to hear. For some, it’s "In One Ear." For others, it’s "Flow."
Lately, the Cage the Elephant setlist has been surprisingly lean on the self-titled debut album stuff, excluding the big singles. It’s a bit of a bummer for the Day 1 fans, but it makes sense. The band has evolved. The musicianship required to play Social Cues tracks like "Ready to Let Go" is a different beast entirely compared to the three-chord thrash of their 2008 material.
- "Shake Me Down" remains a staple. It’s the emotional anchor.
- "Take It or Leave It" usually gets the best dance response.
- "Telescope" has been popping in and out of the rotation, often swapped for "Goodbye" depending on the venue's vibe.
One thing that confuses people is the lack of covers. While some bands lean on a classic rock staple to get the crowd moving, Cage doesn't need it. They have enough hits now that they actually have to cut their own "top tier" songs just to keep the show under two hours.
The Production Value Shift
The setlist isn't just about the music anymore; it's about the cues. The lighting rigs for the current tour are synchronized to the bpm of the Neon Pill tracks. When they transition from a dark, moody track like "Tokyo Smoke" into something bright like "Mess Around," the visual shift is jarring in a way that feels curated.
It’s worth noting that the band’s live sound has become much fuller. With extra touring musicians handling keys and additional percussion, the songs from Social Cues sound massive. "Night Running" (their collaboration with Beck) feels like a stadium anthem even when they play it in smaller amphitheaters.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Setlist
There’s this myth that the band just "wings it."
Kinda.
While the Cage the Elephant setlist is mostly locked in for a tour leg to keep the lighting and tech crews sane, the energy is improvised. Matt Shultz is a chaotic element. If he decides to spend ten minutes in the crowd during "Love's the Only Way," the band just loops and follows him. This means that while the songs on the paper might look the same in Chicago as they did in Nashville, the actual experience is wildly different.
Also, don't expect a long encore. They usually do two songs. They don't believe in the "leave the stage for ten minutes just to come back" theater. They want to go out on a high note. Usually, that means "Cigarette Daydreams" followed by "Sabertooth Tiger." It’s the "emotional cry followed by a mosh pit" strategy. It works every time.
Tips for Catching the Best Version of the Show
If you’re planning on seeing them this year, keep these things in mind to maximize the experience.
Check Setlist.fm but don't treat it as gospel. The band has been known to swap out the third or fourth song based on how they’re feeling during soundcheck. If they’re in a city with a big indie scene, you might get more Tell Me I'm Pretty. If it’s a major festival, expect the "greatest hits" package.
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Get there early for the openers.
Cage the Elephant has a history of picking incredible opening acts (think IDLES, Sunflower Bean, or Bakar). Often, the energy of the opener dictates how hard the band plays. If the opener kills it, Matt and the boys usually come out trying to reclaim their throne.
Watch the "Social Cues" section.
This is often where the most interesting instrumental flourishes happen. Listen for the extended outro on "Ready to Let Go"—the guitar work between Brad and Nick Bockrath is genuinely some of the best in modern rock.
The "Sabertooth Tiger" Safety Warning.
If you are standing in the front five rows when the Cage the Elephant setlist reaches its final song, be prepared. The barrier area becomes a bit of a blender. If you have glasses or a hat you care about, tuck them away before the final freak-out begins.
To get the most out of your upcoming show, spend some time with the Neon Pill album. It’s the backbone of their current identity. Understanding the textures of those newer songs will make the transition into the "classic" hits feel much more rewarding. Grab your tickets, wear shoes you don't mind getting scuffed, and get ready for one of the most consistent live acts touring today.