Concert Review: The Lumineers Continue To Prove Their Excellence
By: Dylan Basden
Thirteen years after their breakout single “Ho Hey” and nearly a decade since the album that cemented them, Cleopatra, The Lumineers firmly prove they have staying power with their largest headline show to date in the Music City. Since their last romp in Nashville, 2022’s stop at the same Bridgestone Arena, the band has been busy with new music ranging from 2024’s live album, Live From Wrigley Field, their collaboration with Zach Bryan, “Spotless,” and their most recent and fifth studio album, Automatic.
The Lumineers are one of those bands that you sort of forget just how many hits they have. Songs like “Angela” and “BRIGHTSIDE” had huge staying power at folk and alternative radio, “Ho Hey” and “Ophelia” were obviously massive mainstream crossovers, and even longtime fan favorites like “Stubborn Love” and “Sleep On the Floor” made the cut. Its impressive, regardless of the 26 song setlist and two-hour runtime of the show, The Lumineers never seemed to have any filler. For a band two decades into their career, they stand in very little company in that regard.
Hitting the stage with “Same Old Song,” the lead single from Automatic, the band hits second gear at pace as the swelling, bombastic drums come in quickly. It’s the perfect introduction, as it stays open and inviting while simultaneously bringing the huge crowd to their feet. Jeremiah Fraites (drums, guitar) does an excellent job at getting the crowd engaged early in this regard, his distinctive percussion is what built the ‘stomp-clap’ trend of the 2010’s and it could be felt in the floors and railings of the building. The chorus eventually gives way to Wesley Shultz’s (lead vocals, guitar) raspy yet mighty voice, his vocals quickly filling the arena. This track does everything you would want an opening number to do, it set the tone for the entire night.
Making their way down the catwalk, the band touches on the polar end of their discography with “Flowers in Your Hair,” track one from their debut. It’s a quick song, a blink and you miss it sort of track, but it immediately fills the massive arena with warmth as the band leans into their string-band roots, with fiddle and acoustic guitar taking prominence alongside a kickdrum and accordion. Even after all the acclaim, additional production, and overwhelming success The Lumineers have seen over the years, it is touching to see the group keep with their roots as a folk-centric band. Stelth Ulvang (keys, accordion, mandolin) on accordion was particularly fun, with him spinning across the stage and mounting his piano. He could also be seen playing off of Lauren Jacobson’s (strings) fiddle, with her parts being the most filling on the track. Sonically this was absolutely on of my favorites of the night.
“Angela” is just plain and simple quintessential Lumineers. It is one of those songs that have taken on a life of its own, and the immediate reaction to its acoustic intro only gave credence to that fact. Its rawness is unexpected when surrounded by the massive production backing the band, its delicate strumming and sparce piano contrast so heavily with the lights and glamor that come with an arena. Despite this, the song still feels oddly intimate, drawing in the crowd in an unexpected way and unifying the audience as they sing along. Moments like these are what make The Lumineers’ and their shows so special, their ability to bring thousands of people together in such divisive times for a night of music is beautiful.
Setlist
Same Old Song
Flowers in Your Hair
Angela
You’re All I Got
A.M. Radio
Asshole
Charlie Boy (ft. Chance Peña)
Plasticine
Donna
Ho Hey
Dead Sea
Brightside
Sleep On the Floor
Gloria
So Long
Ativan
Where We Are
Slow It down
Automatic
Ophelia
Big Parade
Leader of the Landslide
Ghost (ft. Josiah and the Bonnevilles)[Justin Bieber cover]
Reprise
Cleopatra
Stubborn Love
The Lumineers are simply put some of the best in their craft. It is incredible to see the consistency of this band five albums deep, their live shows have only gotten better as time has gone on. I was lucky enough to also run coverage during their last North American tour a few years back and I feel like it is safe to report the band has only gotten better with time. The sheer mass behind them, a sprawling catalog of folk-rock hits, the band’s insistency on high-quality, meaningful performances, and the inspiring connection that cuts through the enormity of such a large room sets this band apart from almost anyone else touring. This is a show that is worthy of your dollar, which is high praise in this economy. Go see The Lumineers, you won’t regret it.
The “Automatic World Tour” is wrapping up shortly. Nashville landed on the tail end of this run ahead of their last few dates through Florida and the southwest before the band turns its focus towards Oceania, Asia, and Africa. Their remaining dates are below and all of their upcoming shows can be found here. Assuming their upcoming appearance at Okeechobee isn’t isolated, I’d expect a second North American leg to be announced sooner rather than later.
Oct 7, 2025 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Oct 8, 2025 – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
Oct 10, 2025 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Oct 11, 2025 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Oct 14, 2025 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Oct 17, 2025 – Mexico City, MX – Pepsi Center WTC
Oct 18, 2025 – Mexico City, MX – Pepsi Center WTC [SOLD OUT]
Nov 7-8, 2025 – Scottsdale, AZ – Dreamy Draw Festival
Jan 3, 2026 – Christchurch, NZ – Christchurch Town Hall
Jan 6, 2026 – Auckland, NC – Spark Arena
Jan 9, 2026 – Melbourne, AU – Sidney Nyer Music Bowl
Jan 10, 2026 – Melbourne, AU – Sidney Nyer Music Bowl
Jan 13, 2026 – Brisbane, AU – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Jan 16, 2026 – Sydney, AU – Qudos Bank Arena
Jan 18, 2026 – Adelaide, AU – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Jan 21, 2026 – Perth, AU – RAC Arena
Jan 24, 2026 – Singapore, SG – Fort Canning Green
Jan 27, 2026 – Manila, PH – New Frontier Theater
Jan 29, 2026 – Tokyo, JP – Zepp Haneda
Feb 1, 2026 – Delhi, IN – Huda Ground
Feb 4, 2026 – Cape Town, ZA – Grand Arena at Grand West
Feb 5, 2026 – Cape Town, ZA – Grand Arena at Grand West
Feb 7, 2026 – Pretoria, ZA – Sunbet Arena at Time Square Casino
Feb 8, 2026 – Pretoria, ZA – Sunbet Arena at Time Square Casino
Mar 19-22, 2026 – Okeechobee, FL – Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival
Jun 24, 2026 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena
Jun 25, 2026 – Cork, IR – Virgin Media Park
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