Cake, presented by Live Loud, performed on Brown’s Island over the weekend and photographer Benjamin Lahoussine was on hand to capture the party.
The show had a unique vibe. Between songs, lead singer John McCrea would talk about democracy and media divisions, really making the crowd think—even if it was a bit uncomfortable. He got everyone participating by splitting up the crowd and having them chant different parts of songs, all while dropping knowledge and creating a subversive reflection on society. It was fun following along and having those “aha” moments like, “Oh, I see what he’s doing.”
One standout moment was the tree giveaway, which highlighted climate awareness and the passage of time. The concert was a perfect blend of fun and introspection. They knew we were there for the hits, but they also gave us meaningful moments that I’m still thinking about. It was a mix of everything, and if John McCrea is reading this—thanks. That was cool.
Now, a little background on the band for those that don’t know.
In the ’90s, while grunge and nu-metal dominated, stood out with its unique blend of mariachi-style horns and quirky mega-hit singles like “The Distance” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket.” Cake, formed in 1991 in Sacramento, embraced their role as the odd band out.
Frontman John McCrea’s sarcastic lyrics and deadpan vocals, combined with the band’s eclectic musical influences, set them apart. Despite the challenges of being misunderstood by major labels, Cake achieved significant success with platinum albums like Fashion Nugget and Prolonging the Magic.
Their output has dropped off after their most recent album, Showroom of Compassion (2011), debuted at the top of the Billboard charts but there have been talk of new music coming soon.
