Photos and review by Carolyn Wang
@carolynwangphoto

Guess who’s back from the dead?

The answer, of course, is The Cab, who brought their aptly named Back From the Dead Tour to August Hall in San Francisco on June 2. After a decade away, the band returned last year with show-opening appearances and at When We Were Young Festival before releasing their long-awaited third studio album, Chasing Crowns, this April. Led by the single “Locked and Loaded,” the record marked the band’s first full-length release in fifteen years, and the show felt like a celebration of both where The Cab have been and where they’re headed next.

Opening with “Locked and Loaded,” “Temporary Bliss,” and the tour’s title track, “Back From the Dead,” the band immediately established the night’s energy. Alex Marshall’s keyboards and backing vocals added depth to the band’s sound, while Joey Thunder and Chantry Johnson kept the energy high on either side of the stage. Behind them, Dave Briggs delivered a driving performance that propelled the set from start to finish. Frontman Alex DeLeon remained in constant conversation with the crowd, creating an atmosphere that felt personal despite the separation between stage and audience. At one point, he remarked that San Francisco felt like the hometown show, referencing the band’s Northern California roots and sharing that his parents were in attendance for the evening.

The setlist effortlessly blended newer material with longtime favorites. Songs like “Bad,” “La La,” and “Intoxicated” inspired some of the night’s biggest sing-alongs, while new tracks like “ih8yourgutz” and “Sweet Kerosene” proved right at home alongside them. One of The Cab’s greatest strengths has always been their ability to write massive pop-rock choruses, and nearly every song felt designed for crowd participation. One of the night’s standout moments came during a medley of The Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time,” and *NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me.” Before launching into the covers, DeLeon recalled an early review that described The Cab as “a boy band with guitars,” adding that it was the best compliment he could have received. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, he may have been right.

By the time the encore arrived, August Hall was fully locked in. A surprise cover of Justin Bieber’s “YUKON,” a tease of “One of THOSE Nights,” and the heartfelt “Endlessly” set the stage for the inevitable closer, “Angel With a Shotgun.” More than a decade after its release, the song still hits exactly the way it should. The entire room sang every word back to the band, jumping in unison during the chorus. It was nostalgic, cathartic, and a perfect ending to a night that celebrated not just The Cab’s return, but the enduring connection between the band and the fans who never stopped listening.

The Cab’s Back From the Dead Tour continues through the end of June. For the latest news and information, check out thecabband.com.