New Music from the Lumineers - September Show at Citizen's Bank Park

I had the good fortune of seeing The Lumineers as few weeks ago as the celebrated the release of their newest record! There was so much going on in Philadelphia that day; first, it was Valentine’s Day & second, the Eagles were holding their Super Bowl victory parade - But ya gotta keep your priorities straight; right?!?.

This was the second of two special concerts to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the WXPN/NPR Free At Noon program at World Cafe Live & the band decided that would be the spot where they would mark the release of their fifth studio album Automatic.

Frontman Wesley Schultz took the stage appropriately attired in Philly green — a green trucker hat, a warm-looking green knit cardigan — and though he copped to being a Giants fan (this prompted boos from the audience, largely clad in Birds jerseys and knit caps), he shouted out his family from nearby Doylestown who clued him into the cultural juggernaut that is the Eagles, and when he sang a few bars of “Fly Eagles Fly,” the crowd erupted into a singalong. “See, the Eagles are more musical than the Giants,” he said. “We don’t have a song like that. I’m jealous.”

Football aside, it was The Lumineers day in a big way. Their new album sounds awesome, and half of the set was comprised of a hearty dose of new cuts. “You’re All I Got” made for a pensive opener, while the single “Same Old Song” – which Schultz told the room they debuted on the Jimmy Fallon show the night before this appearance — was a rousing rocker. The title track simmered the room down on the second half of the show, and the album closer “So Long” was an epic build of guitar riffs, vocal shouts, and soaring violin from Lauren Jacobson. We also were treated to back-catalog highlights like “Gloria” from III, “Where We Are” from Brightside, and “Sleep on the Floor” from Cleopatra. A closing cover of Tom Petty’s “Walls” (perfect for a Valentine sentiment) brought drummer Jeremiah Fraites and keyboardist Stelth Ulvang out from the wings to join bassist Byron Isaacs and guitarist Brandon Miller in a singalong at the front of the stage.

Not too shabby for a place that had about 250 people in attendance! The band is scheduled to return to Philly September 19th to headline a Friday night concert at Citizens Bank Park with Dr. Dog.

As for my missing the Eagles' parade? Well, I'm hoping that there's always next year for that... But the opportunity to see this tremendous band in such an intimate setting on such a special occasion was just too good to pass up - SO glad I was there!

Click below for a taste of the new record: