Tour Diaries: The Lumineers in Cincinnati

The American folk band is in the middle of their fourth world tour showcasing their latest album BRIGHTSIDE. And even in the pouring rain, they put on an unforgettable show.

Photos: @lucykjoness

Although The Lumineers are a popular and beloved name in the music world, they were entirely unknown before 2011. Wesley Shultz and Jeremiah Fraites founded the band in 2005, with a few others having joined and left through the years. The band's first single "Ho Hey" resulted in an immediate indie hit and from there, the band quickly accepted a record deal and released their self-titled debut album, "The Lumineers." Over a decade later, the folk-rock group has four albums in total with several popular hits such as "Ophelia," "Cleopatra," and "Stubborn Love." Known for their stripped-down, acoustic style, The Lumineers' music has a vibe that's reminiscent of dirt roads, fields of flowers, and sad stories carried down through the generations.

For their latest tour, The Lumineers have been making their way through the international and home circuits. In early spring they played through Europe and at the end of the year, they'll visit Japan and South Africa. But in the meantime, during these hot summer months, the band is performing high-energy sets right in the United States. This show in Cincinnati was especially special, as the band played their hearts out in the pouring rain.

The concert began with the band's current opening act, CAAMP. The four-person folk band warmed up the crowd with a variety of songs from their impressive discography. Along with playing some of their best known hits, including "Vagabond" and "All the Debts I Owe," they also played songs from their newest album released in 2022, "Lavender Days." CAAMP's performance in Cincinnati had distinct importance since the group formed several years ago in Ohio.

Then, when The Lumineers took to the stage, the energy rose without hesitation. Just the set up of the stage created an atmosphere of magnificence, with a massive geometric circle hanging over the musicians' heads. Along with Shultz and Fraites, musicians Stelth Ulvang, Bryan Isaacs, Brandon Miller, and Lauren Jacobsen graced the stage playing a wide variety of instruments. The group opened with "BRIGHTSIDE" then settled into some crowd favorites. Despite the weather, the crowd soaked up every moment of the performance, swaying and singing along. Throughout, the stage exploded with vibrant colors ranging from hot pink to deep blue. The show ended with the melancholy violin of "Stubborn Love."

Once again, The Lumineers have played their hearts out with yet another impressive album. We can only assume that they'll continue in this same way as they complete their tour.

For a closer look inside the concert, take a peek at the photos from the performance, taken by MUD photographer Lucy Jones.

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Make sure to follow The Lumineers and MUD on Instagram and listen to their latest album on Spotify and all streaming platforms.