The Lumineers @ The Greek Theater LA (9.27.13)

The Lumineers

I'm not not usually someone who sees a band twice within a year, but as my girl had never seen the Lumineers, I decided to go again. It's amazing where a year can take a band.  The last time, they played The Observatory OC, a 500 seat venue. This time they played the Greek Theater in LA which is a 5000 seat venue and they sold out two nights.

As I had already had a press pass and shot a bunch of great photos of them (click here for that post) I didn't bother with that this time around.  I wanted to actually watch and enjoy them this time.  Sadly I was a bit further away than side stage, but still close enough.  The band seemed to have the same energy and intimacy with the crowd I remembered from their last show, although I think some of it gets lost in a big venue.  At one point they even went into the crowd and played.  As the Greek is so big they even had to bring mic's with them which was pretty cool given the logistics of it for the sound engineer.



Not surprisingly, the band played a similar set to the last time I saw them.  Apparently they have not had a lot of down time to write new material.  In addition to their entire album they played two from their demo EP and the "Falling" duet between Neyla Pekarek and Wesley Schultz.  There was only one new song (who's name eludes me) from last time that they played.  I really hope they take some time out from touring to write new material.  They've got the right energy, sound and feel for the time.  I'd hate to see them loose momentum, by disappointing fans hoping for something new.



To fill out their set, The Lumineers did a number of covers including Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues, which I think they did last time ( I have a vague memory of them playing one of his songs).  I hate to say it, but I prefer the Dylan version albeit sung much better by Schultz   I found their version a bit empty lacking instrumentation.

In the end the band was great, they still had the energy that made them what they are, and I had a great time.  I probably won't go see them again until they release another album or two though.

****************************************************
Side Note:

Something that sort of mystifies me is the tie ins between the Lumineers and The Band. Last time I saw them right before they went on they played a song from the band and then closed the night with a sing along to "The Weight."  This time they played songs from the band right before and after as well.  Given the age and fashion tastes of those at their shows, I wonder how many have picked up on this.  If I ever get a chance I definitely have to ask them.

The Lumineers @ The Observatory OC (10.7.12)



The Lumineers

I still remember the day my friend sent me a link for the Lumineers. I was blown away by genuine heartfelt music clearly written by people who love what they do. I found myself wondering if they were capable of bringing that to the stage or if it would fizzle in the spotlights. Clearly my doubts were unwarranted. So glad I went!

Wesley Schultz

These guys get it. Folk music is not about playing ridiculously fast or crazy arpeggiation. It's about keeping it simple and approachable. Something everyone can sing. The reason most popular folk melodies move in such small intervals is because everyone can sing them together (unlike our national anthem). There is nothing quite like an entire _building_ of people singing along. Much like Pete Seeger before them The Lumineers seem to recognize, the more involved people are with the music the more they will enjoy it.

Jeremiah Fraites

Now being old school in my music consumption, I have been spinning their CD for a while and recognize how solid an album it is. What surprised me is that in the middle of this iTunes era so much of the audience knew ALL of their songs not just their single. To me it leaves hope that the album might be not quite dead yet.

Wesley Schultz

One of the great discoveries during the show is how amazing Neyla Pekarek's voice is. When they did their new song Falling, it blew my mind what they had been hiding.



Admittedly, it might be a bit outside of the sound they were going for on the first record, but hopefully the next time they sit down and track an album, they find a way to use it more! It's much like Laura Marling backing up Noah and the Whale or subsequently Marcus Mumford backing her up.


Neyla Pekarek

There were plenty of other nice surprises during the show including a Dylan cover and the band jumping into the crowd to play a fully acoustic version of Darlene. I've seen plenty of bands do variations of this, but I've never seen one get so in the dead heart of the crowd and take a full setup with them.



I do have to say that the Lumineers did manage to make me feel a bit old. To be fair, I was born in the 80's (just), but was amazed at the number of fans that didn't know "The Weight" by the Band. Only about 4 people in the entire audience knew the song AND THEY HAD JUST PLAYED IT ON THE PA BEFORE THEIR SET (whoops)! They ended up having one of the four come up. The woman they chose was awkward, funny and slightly out of tune. Probably the best person for the job. I was one of the other four who knew that song because it's the sort of thing my friends and I sing when we're hanging out having a few drinks. It made me happy that that was the sort of thing they did as well. I guess what I dug most about these guys that they share their genuine enjoyment of the music with the people.

The Lumineers

************************************************
* Side Note

Sound at the observatory was amazing. It was even good in the corner. Not sure if that's the Lumineers or the local guy, but keep it up!