Words by Ree Miller.
The Lumineers are touring North America in support of the fifth LP, “Automatic,” until October 14, 2025. I thought I was only going to see them on July 3rd at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, but was lucky enough to see them a second time on July 13th at the Mohegan Sun Arena. I was privy to an interesting cultural phenomenon: an assemblage of fans wearing white boho blouses, prairie skirts, and cowboy boots and hats. I thought it was due to the opener, Hippo Campus, but it turns out if one Googles, “What do I wear to a Lumineers concert?” it presents you with the aforementioned sartorial choices. Who knew!
Well, back to the auditory review of the Lumineers. This band of six never fails to deliver a great show. You can count on them to dip into their catalogue and pull those popular with the crowd who know all the stomps, claps, words, melodies, and inflections. The core of the Lumineers is Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, founders, co-writers, and spiritual brothers. Members of their merry band are Lauren Jacobson, Brandon Miller, Byron Isaacs, Stealth Ulvang, and Derek Brown, who wield their instruments in support of their leaders and each other. All are multi-instrumentalists, performers in their own right, and are often called by name to demonstrate their talents for the audience.
Among the highlights of the shows are when the band members are given the chance to sing solo in a call-and-response style, to harmonize with each other, or play the conductor to an audience anxious to keep the beat with the bassists and drummers. Songs like “Flowers in your Hair,” which inspires the not infrequent flower halos in hair of concertgoers; “Ho Hey,” where EVERYONE gets to sing; “Brightside,” where Isaacs, Jacobson and Miller get to do their three-part harmony huddled around a single mic; “Big Parade,” where each member of the band gets a slice of the spotlight and their personal sonic wavelength; and “So Long,” where the moody, spooky melody is made even more chilling by Jacobson’s violin. Both shows included the deployment of confetti cannons for the excitement and incitement of the crowd. No, I won’t tell you when they burst forth, but it never fails to excite the crowd.
The Mohegan Sun show differed from the SPAC with the inclusion of a thrust stage shaped like an arrowhead at the end of a long runway where the band can stroll/dance along the elevation and pick up various tom-toms, kick drums, a piano, and an ENTIRE drum kit that was elevated through an opening in the floor. Not to be encumbered by stages, both Schultz and Ulvang wandered, playing or singing through the floor and tiered seats of both arenas!
Swapping songs in set lists keeps it interesting for repeat audience members, and one can only hope it helps keep the performers in the moment and refresh their own experience. “Gun Song” was replaced by “Submarine”; “Reprise” replaced “So Long” (my personal favorite, but I suppose I can’t expect them to play it on repeat over the two-hour show— or can they?); “Keys on the Table” swapped places with “Ativan.” Added to the mix was the classic Billy Joel song, “New York State of Mind.” This was played in NY and resonated loudly with the SPAC crowd. It was also played in CT and dedicated to the memory of Schultz’s recently deceased brother. After playing overseas, a North American tour could end up stale, but I did not perceive that happening. The deployment of screens behind and to the sides of the stage helps the audience see the talents’ expressions and leaves no room for sour dispositions. While players might only love you when they are playing, I see no evidence of deceit in the Lumineers’ love of each other, the fans, or the music.
One cool thing to look for is the venue-specific t-shirt, in limited quantities. Get it while supplies last. As astute as I am, I got skunked in both venues. Ye be warned.
Hippo Campus
An entertaining band of five from St. Paul, Minnesota, who reminded me of all the college station bands and ’80s eclectic-sounding bands. Wiki describes them as rooted in a couple of bands I do not recognize. When they played, I heard some Big County, REM, English Beat, grunge, alt, and ska without the ska. The band is an interesting, engaging bunch with the lead singer, Jake Luppen, holding court; Nathan Stocker handing his axe like Marty McFly/Michael J. Fox; De Carlo Jackson lent a neat twist with his trumpet. Whistler Allen, the band’s singing drummer, and Zach Sutton on bass and keys round out the sonics in this entertaining band. They could be worth a listen if you don’t know them, or see them cold and make up your own mind.
The Lumineers are on tour until October 14, 2025, with various special guests/openers. You still have a chance to hear your favorites and the new songs from “Automatic.” Grab yourself a toothbrush (and your favorite white prairie skirt, blouse, and cowboy boots and hat) and come on!