The Lumineers in Milwaukee 2023

26 Aug, 2023 Mosie Hillis Alternative, Concert Reviews, Folk

The Lumineers - Photo credit: Mosie Hillis

The Lumineers

On August 26th, The Lumineers graced Milwaukee’s American Family Insurance Amphitheater by the lakefront for the latest stop of their 2023 tour. As tens of thousands of fans flooded into the venue, it became apparent that we were in for an energetic evening of melodies and sing-alongs.

Hailing from Denver, Colorado, the American alternative folk band The Lumineers came to fruition in 2005 as a concept in the minds of Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites in New Jersey. After several years of playing together under various monikers in New York, the duo decided to relocate to Denver where they crossed paths with classically trained cellist Neyla Pekarek. With her addition, the duo transformed into a trio and began their journey to becoming the beloved group we know today.

Since their formation, The Lumineers (now back to being a Wesley-Jeremiah duo) have seen their songs climb the charts on the Billboard Hot 100 and have garnered Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Americana Album. Most recently, Fraites and Schultz released their fourth studio album, Brightside.

James Bay

British singer-songwriter James Bay kicked off the evening. Born and raised in the UK, Bay has been pursuing a professional music career since 2013. He is currently touring alongside The Lumineers in support of his latest album, Leap, which he released in 2022. Bay delivered a high-energy set filled with electric instruments and dazzling lights, perfectly setting the stage for The Lumineers. To stay updated on the latest news and catch James Bay on tour, visit: www.jamesbay.com

The Show

Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz took to the extended thrust of the stage, greeted by fans cheering and holding up handmade signs proclaiming their love for the group. Accompanied by four bandmates, every moment of their performance felt like a celebration.

Despite the presence of approximately 23,000 people in the audience, The Lumineers made everyone feel included. One of their instrumentalists traversed the stage, playing his guitar amidst the crowd, and even performed a handstand on the piano at one point. From the first note they played, the group had the audience captivated. When frontman Wesley Schultz ventured into the crowd, running all the way to the back of the amphitheater, the audience erupted in excitement.

Not only did The Lumineers excel in physically engaging with the entire audience, but they also took the time during their set to share stories about the origins of the songs on their setlist and about their past and families.

Link

To experience the awe-inspiring spectacle of this tour and stay updated on the latest band news, visit: www.thelumineers.com

Set List

Cleopatra
Flowers in Your Hair
Ho Hey
Angela
WHERE WE ARE
Dead Sea
A.M. Radio
My Cell
Slow It Down
Charlie Boy
BRIGHTSIDE
Gloria
Sleep on the Floor
Ophelia
Leader of the Landslide (with “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones)
Salt and the Sea
Gale Song (with James Bay)
It Wasn’t Easy to Be Happy for You (with James Bay)
American Music (Violent Femmes cover)
Big Parade