All the way from Denver Colorado The Lumineers hit Manchester’s Albert Hall. The last time we saw The Lumineers performing in Manchester was back in September 2013.
The folk rock band are part way through a sold-out worldwide tour, promoting their second album ‘Cleopatra’ which is crammed with hits as was their debut album ‘The Lumineers’
The band should be nicely warmed up following their intimate acoustic set inside HMV store in Manchester, earlier in the day. The stage set is stripped back only displaying the halls epic pipe organ and a stage full of every kind of instrument going, a perfect setting for The Lumineers.
The band take to the stage. Founder band members Wesley Schultz (lead vocals, guitar) and Jeremiah Fraites (drums, percussion), along with cellist and vocalist Neyla Pekarek, pianist Stelth Ulvang and bassist Ben Wahamaki. They open up the show with ‘Sleep On The Floor’ also opening track to their new album.
The hall is illuminated showing tonight’s audience who are stomping their way through ‘Cleopatra’, enthusiastic energetic drummer and song-writing partner Jeremiah Fraites moves about the stage switching from percussion to piano.
By the time they launch into their fourth song, massive breakthrough single ‘Ho Hey’, they have the whole hall on their feet clapping and singing along.
Lead singer Wesley Schultz encourages the audience to switch off their mobile phones and soak up the atmosphere. Not a phone in sight they break into new release ‘Ophelia’
Their enthusiasm and energy continues through their set, Schultz leading with his trademark footwork stepping up to the mic, his raspy vocals are on point this evening.
We are half way through the set, Schultz ‘Shhhhh everyone be a little quieter’ the band unplug all instruments and gather at the front of the stage to have a sing-along with the audience to ‘Aint Nobody’. Schultz recites the lyrics to the excited crowd, making sure everyone is involved in their intimate performance.
The crowd are singing their hearts out for ‘Big Parade’ pianist Stelth Ulvang jumps up from his stool and climbs up the railing onto the upper tier encouraging everyone to clap along.
As the set comes to an end and the band exit the stage, all except for the pianist Stelth Ulvang, who remains by his piano and plays a beautiful solo ‘Patience’. The band return for the encore of big tracks ‘Long Way’ ‘Submarines’ and finishing with ‘Stubborn Love’
As the band leave the stage, playful Stelth Ulvang and bassist Ben Wahamaki hang around to make paper airplanes from the leftover set lists.
The band where heaped in enthusiasm and passion in their performance tonight, fully embraced by the crowd, nothing but an enjoyment to watch. The Lumineers are a big deal and are a must see at the UK festivals this summer, appearing at both Glastonbury and Latitude.
SET LIST:
Sleep On The Floor
Cleopatra
Classy Girls
Ho Hey
Ophelia
Dead Sea
Charlie Boy
Angela
Flowers
Sick In The Head
In The Light
Aint Nobody’s
Scotland
Big Parade
Gun Song
My Eyes
ENCORE:
Long Way
Submarines
Stubborn Love
