The Lumineers Review

10 out of 10. I loved it.

I was fortunate to see The Lumineers live at O2 Academy Brixton, London last month with my friend. I cannot stress enough how fantastic they were. I have previously posted about The Lumineers: The Lumineers.

The evening started with support act Langhorne Slim, a country folk singer/songwriter from Pennsylvania, US. Langhorne Slim did a tremendous job of building the crowd up before the main headliner came on stage, and even came back on stage during The Lumineers set to accompany them for one song. Having never heard of this artist before I would certainly suggest folk fans to check him out - he was great!

Langhorne Slim (Support)

With the 5,000 strong crowd closing in around the stage, the atmosphere soon became electric with anticipation and excitement. As soon as the five piece folk band stepped on stage the party began! From start to finish, The Lumineers frontman Wesley Shultz had the sold out crowd eating out of his hand, and on their feet, singing and dancing along!

The evenings set list was: Submarines, I Aint Nobody's Problem, Flowers in Your Hair, Subterranean Homesick Blues (Bob Dylan Cover), Ho Hey, Classy Girls, Dead Sea, Slow It Down, Love, Love Love (new song), Charlie Boy, Stubborn Love, Big Parade. The encore: Morning Song, This Must Be The Place (cover), Flapper Girl.

Jeremiah Fraites, Neyla Pekarek, and Wesley Schultz together with the rest of the band delivered a flawless performance of upbeat, soulful and raw folk music. For me, one of the highlights of the evening was Wesley Schultz singing the first half of my favorite track "Slow it Down" all stripped back and acoustic.

Musicians to the core, this band is all about the music. As the crowd sang and danced in a frenzy to their hit single "Ho Hey" Wesley mid way told the crowd to "put away cameras and recording devices and just be human with us for a while." If anyone was on the fence about this band before that statement, it seemed clear they were sold! A huge cheer rang out from around the venue as people put away their phones/recorders and let themselves get lost in the music.

As the show came to an end, the crowds cheers and applause was huge. Wanting to show their appreciation (and hear more), the crowd knew they had just been treated to a joyous evening of live music.

If I ever get the opportunity, I will certainly buy tickets to see them live again. This group proved to London that they are by no means a one track wonder and are here to stay.

Pictures from the evening:

Langhorne Slim joining The Lumineers on stage

Tour dates: 

7th June.CMAC - NY

8th June. Mountain Jam - NY

9th June. The Grovernors  Ball Music Festival - NYC

13th July. T In The Park - Scotland, UK

27th July. XPoNential Music Festival - Camden, NJ 

23rd August. Leeds Festival - Leeds, UK

25th August. Reading Festival - Reading, UK

For more information regarding tour dates and tickets check out: http://thelumineers.com/tour-dates/

Jake Bugg

Definitely one to watch!

Jake Bugg is an English singer/songwriter from Nottingham. He scored his first big break back in 2011 when he was chosen by the BBC to appear on their introducing stage at Glastonbury Music Festival, and was then given a contract with Mercury Records.

Jake's debut self titled album is due to be released on the 15th October.

This 18 year old boy with his mod haircut is certainly one to check out - his distinct and unique voice screams 'forget me not.' In a number of reviews Jake has been likened to Bob Dylan, and listening to him I really couldn't agree with this more. I am a huge fan of this guitar playing country/folk-esq guy and definitely feel he has the talent and potential to match the success of Ben Howard  and Ed Sheeran.

Check him out. It'll be worth it!

Tour Dates: 
16th October. Sub89 - Reading, UK
20th October. O2 Academy - Oxford, UK
12th November. HMV Institute - Birmingham, UK
13th November. Wedgewood Rooms - Southsea, UK
14th Novemer. KOKO - London, UK
15th November. Thekla - Bristol, UK
17th November. Manchester Academy - Manchester, UK
18th November. The Cockpit - Leeds, UK
19th November. Fibbers - York, UK
20th November. O2 Academy 2 Newcastle - Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
23rd November. Rescue Rooms - Nottingham, UK

For more information regarding tickets and his (European, N.American) tour dates check out: http://www.songkick.com/artists/4172111-jake-bugg/calendar?page=1

Wilco

 There is no question about it I am definitely going through a phase at the moment. I'm constantly flicking absentmindedly between artists Ryan Adams,  Bon Iver, Joe Purdy, Alexi Murdoch and this band...Wilco. It seems I can't get enough of the chilled, soft and quiet rhythmic tunes, intimate lyrics and, deep, raw emotive vocals. 

Wilco is an alternative rock band based in Chicago, US. They have been around for quite some time and have been deemed by Rolling Stone as "one of America's most consistently interesting bands" and "America's foremost rock impressionists."

Wilco formed after the country band 'Uncle Tupelo' split up. Since their formation in 1994, Wilco have released eight albums; 'A.M.,' 'Being There,' 'Summerteeth,' 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,' 'A Ghost Is Born,' 'Sky Blue Sky,' 'Wilco (the Album)' and,  their most recent 'The Whole Love.'

Unsurprisingly, with their long history of performing you can expect a good show. With practice comes perfection, something this band demonstrates to the T. Lead singer Jeff Tweedy looks every bit in his element when on stage, and combine this with the instrumental talent and vocal ability of the entire band you can be promised a great show. If you do want tickets to see them live however, I urge you to do so quick as they will sell out.

Tour dates: 
21st July. Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden, NJ
23rd July. Prospect Park - Brooklyn, NY
24th July. Prospect Park - Brooklyn, NY
25th July. Terminal 5 - NYC
28th July. Brewery Ommegang - Cooperstown, NY
3rd August. Highland Bowl - Rochester, NY
12th  August. Wilderness Festival - Cornbury Park, UK

For more information regarding tickets and/or their N.American/  Europe tour check out: http://wilcoworld.net/#!/shows/