by Meaghan Paulosky
The Lumineers performed to (and with) a sold out crowd, despite having to push the show up a few weeks. As far as excuses go, theirs is pretty good. They will be a little pre-occupied with performing at the 2013 Grammy’s the weekend of the original show date. Oh, and their two nominations.
Just before showtime the Theater filled with fans of all ages, which isn’t bad for a band with less than fifteen released songs. Y La Bamba then introduced alt-latino folk to Philadelphia and made promises of the dancing to come.
The Lumineers took the stage to thunderous applause and borderline hysteria. No less than thirty seconds of wonderfully executed folk rock passed before seats were left and aisles were filled with ticket-holders and event staff alike. It’s hard to ignore lead vocalist Wesley Schultz’s infectious dancing and impassioned lyricism and not want to join right in.
He and the band invited attendees to not just sit and enjoy their work, but actively become a part of it. During one rendition of their popular “Ho Hey” the audience was literally responsible for half the song while the band played without mics. No one objected, either. They would have belted it out with or without the formal request.
The Lumineers can sing, they can dance, and they can all play almost any instrument on the stage. They played at least two instruments apiece. And after one album, they have two Grammy nods to show for all of it. They have real talent and a real passion for sharing it; there’s a reason the band can’t stop dancing to its own songs and a reason we join them.
