HomeMusicThe Lumineers Shepherd's Bush Empire live review

The Lumineers Shepherd’s Bush Empire live review

The last time we saw The Lumineers performing, was at their UK showcase at London’s Shoreditch House, back in September 2012. We have to admit that we’ve been a little bit in love with them ever since. We’ve been telling anyone who would listen to us, that they should check this band out. Not only did they empress us with their commitment, passion, raw talent and spark, but they also just happen to be super lovely, down-to-earth and incredibly humble individuals. So, The Lumineers – we have to say that we were more than a little excited to get the opportunity to see you again and we were expecting a lot from your set! We are pleased to say that they totally lived up to expectation!

Opening with Charlie Boy, their energy and spirit as a band echoed all over the Shepherd’s Bush Empire and we were instantly reminded as to why we felt so passionately about them. By the time they launched into their second song – Submarine, they had the whole room on their feet and clapping along to the songs and everyone was ecstatic to be there.

What makes The Lumineers so special?! It might be that they give more than 200% into their performances! Also, not only are they incredible musicians, who play a whole range of different instruments, three of them are capable and do share lead vocals from time to time. Seeing Neyla Pekarek on the cello adds another dimension to their music. Her lush arrangements filter through the songs like magic and we love it!

By the time the first round of Ho Hey came on, the crowd were very warmed up and loving every second of watching them performing live. If you know this band, you know that this song does not need an introduction. The song has been all over the television adverts, all over the radio and it’s everywhere that you go. If you have not yet heard this song, then you need to get yourself a copy of their album and see what all the fuss is about! But to fully appreciate and see this song performed how it was meant to be – in front of a live audience, this is truly the best ways to appreciate it.

They played the keyboard as if the keys were hypnotising them – bowing down to them, bashing the notes out, with their head inches from the keys and they look as if they are almost in a trance, and they were so engrossed with what they were playing. Their enthusiasm and energy continued throughout their set and it went by so fast! They constantly surprise you, too. At a Lumineers gig, you never really know what might come next from them.

Performing Ho Hey, for a second time.. they announced that they were a ‘house band’. They got all of their instruments and disappeared off-stage, only to turn up near the upper seating area of the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, playing the drums and thrashing their instruments, whilst balancing on the edge of the balcony to sing the song!! One little mistake and they would have surely fallen off and we dread to think what might have happened. This spectacle added to the fun of seeing them live, although the security did not look too impressed by them, but the entire crowd loved it! They divided the crowd into two sections to help them sing Ho Hey and it was so much fun to be there with them! They kept encouraging the audience to switch off their mobile phones and to ‘just be with them, in that moment’ and to soak up the atmosphere.

They invited the support act – Langhorne to join them on stage for the duration of their three song encore, compromising of Morning Song/Big Parade/Sweet Ya. They just looked like a bunch of talented musicians, who were in this for the music, having a lot of fun and performing as if this was their first ever gig and they wanted to impress us. We don’t have any criticism to aim at them, they gave a faultless performance. Langhorne are a band to take note off too. They were almost like the little brother band of the Lumineers and their musical style was very similar and they are equally as full of enthusiasm and passion in their performance.

The Lumineers are back in London in a few weeks time, where they will be playing at the Brixton Academy. We cannot wait to see them there again! Thank you to The Lumineers for a night of brilliant live music!

Carys Jones
Carys Jones
I am passionate about everything any anything that involves music, theatre and the arts! I love interviewing artists and getting to learn more about them. When I’m not doing artsy things, you may find me watching rugby, singing with my choir and travelling to a new part of the world. Carpe diem.

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