Keep Your Head Up
The Lumineers 08/02/2013 : The Vic Theatre – Chicago, IL
by Brenton Goodrich
A first experience with some piece of art can be the purest form of entertainment. This was the case for both my first listen and first show for The Lumineers. I was let in on the secret of The Lumineers very early from my favorite music blog and was absolutely stunned at the simplicity with which this merry, yet emotional music was delivered. It had an impact on me. Several months would pass before I had truly dove into “The Lumineers” album. I also gained new perspective and appreciation watching Becca get into the music. It became a backdrop for happy sunshine moments, silly sing-alongs, and the most painful of times. A backdrop for life. However, I still wasn’t thinking much about this being a show I had to see for whatever reason. The opportunity came and I could not have been more blown away. To hear these simple clap-and-stomp songs that you love and see the band absolutely owning the stage and audience was pure joy. I immediately loved the stage set with it’s old-timey back porch vibe and vintage display. I also dig when the typical singer / guitarist / drummer structure is loosely defined, and they blur those lines well. In addition, piano and cello take a more prominent role in a live setting for me, even when those alluring sounds have been there all along. At times, the percussion alone was being enhanced by three different members including the kick drum that is always stage front and center. More than once, as part of the energy on stage, I saw a perfectly timed bass drum beat on it as a band member was coming across the stage to pick up a mandolin or tambourine. The musicianship was much better than expected while keeping the expected loose, wild, and slightly disheveled performance of an indie folk act intact. It’s always amazing when the crowd is part of the show, and I felt each participant was holding on to every vocal, hand clap, and cymbal crash…..and limiting chatter during the quiet parts. The rustic, but rousing performance was extremely perfect for the intimacy of The Vic. Highlights for me were the opening ‘Submarines’, a passionately played Dylan cover (‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’), one of my favorites from the album (‘Slow It Down’), and ‘Stubborn Love’. It is one of the few times I can remember seeing a show where I didn’t know any of the band members’ names. It was about the music and the way it was to be played that night, and that alone.