The Lumineers – Deer Lake Park – September 19, 2013
For the final time of the season Deer Lake Park played host to a Concert In The Park as The Lumineers, took to the stage under the light of a bright full moon. The sold out show had the park filled with fans waiting for the quintet to strike the first note. As the grand chandeliers, decorating the stage, rose to the rafters the audience burst with cheers. The roots-pop sounds of the band wafted across the natural amphitheatre of the park and was returned in waves of excitement. While lead singer, Wesley Schultz noted that this was the largest show they’ve ever played in Canada but lamented that audience “sounded like 500 not 9000” and encouraged them to ramp up the volume. The band followed up with their biggest hit, “Ho Hey” which the audience gamely participated in singing their own verse in cannon with Wesley and the band. The current revival in folk has also brought about a revival in instruments rarely seen in contemporary rock acts; Neyla Pekarek’s cello, Jeremiah Fraites’ tambourine and mandolin, and Stelth Ulvang even brought out an accordion to play alongside Ben Wahamaki bass guitar.
Having only played the much smaller Media Club and Vogue Theatres in previous visits to Vancouver this show allowed many more to get their first taste of the band. The simple and similar melodies in most of The Lumineers tracks make their music infinitely hummable and familiar so even those who don’t know the band as well can feel part of the fanbase. Midway through the 75 minute set the band ventured out into from the stage and into the middle of the audience to play a couple of songs and giving the show a more intimate feeling at last for those lucky enough to be close to them. Returning to the stage the band wrapped up the set with more audience engagement; snapping, clapping and singing along. Having just the one studio album and adding in a new track to extend the set list, the band definitely left the audience wanting more.
Find more by following The Lumineers online , Twitter @TheLumineers, or Facebook.com/TheLumineers