If there is one thing that is synonymous with Cage the Elephant, and their reputation, it’s that they know how to put on an incredible show. Monday night saw the band’s triumphant return to New York City, playing in the heart of Central Park at the City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage (marking the first of two nights, with openers Portugal. The Man). Saying they lived up to their reputation would be an understatement.

The Kentucky bred rockers formed nearly a decade ago and have made a name for themselves, outside of touring, through their eclectic and ever maturing sound–one that could best be described as evolutionary. Their most recent album, Tell Me I’m Pretty (RCA, 2015), was produced by the Black Keys Dan Auerbach and has been called their “best yet” by Rolling Stone. Cage the Elephant reigns in 2016 touring in support of the album–and with all the hype surrounding them, expectations were high.

From the moment they set foot on stage Cage the Elephant was electric. There is a certain verve in their step and an aura that is simply unparalleled by any other live act today. Matthew Shultz, the band’s lead singer, graces the stage with a rawness that literally propels and projects itself onto the audience. There is a movement that matches the very real energy of the music, and one that is bolstered by the entire band and a captivated audience. Amazing is almost an obvious description as Cage the Elephant brings entertainment and concert-going to a completely new level in an arena that is so overly saturated with humdrum and monotony.

Be sure to check out Cage the Elephant at cagetheelephant.com.