The Band of Clowns/The Circus of Musicians - The Lumineers Live in London

The title may seem like a negative, but it's not. Going into this gig, I knew what to expect despite having never seen The Lumineers live before. I've been a fan since Ho Hey and loved all their albums since, but I still wouldn't consider myself one of their biggest fans. After watching Tyler, The Creator and Twenty One Pilots live in the exact same venue not even 7-14 days apart, it's hard not to 'compare'. All these artists are literal stark opposites, so when I say compare, I mean... who puts on a show?

The Lumineers are a talented bunch, without a doubt. Wesley's voice is stunning and Jeremiah is a little musical prodigy (who I always think is Woody Harrelson from afar). The rest of their performing band is also incredibly talented, and they're a real range of people, ages, and talents. From violin to singing, nothing goes amiss with The Lumineers.

What does go slightly amiss is the show itself. It's hard, though, because they're literally a travelling circus of talented musicians who make accoustic music. There's no doubt in my mind that this band is at its best when at a hippie festival where you can dance to them barefoot on some grass. It's as if the walls of the arena trap them. Wesley literally walks through the entire crowd for one song and the reason I mention clowns and circus's is because one of their bandmates literally does handstands, stumbles around the stage drunkly, throwing tamborines barefoot. So, what's missing?

Image Courtesy of The Lumineers Official Instagram

Flow. Out of all musicians i've seen in the last month, I feel like flow is something this band would have nailed, but unfortunately there's a massive break between each and every song whilst they try to rearrange themselves. Whilst they're great at forming a setlist, there's no harm in moving around song order to make the flow of the show better. My favourite moment was the 3D merry-go-round of lights projected on the screen behind them. There was something about it that rang so true to the band. Every other song was a different vibe, different lights, different retro filters, and whilst The Lumineers are definitely a retro-inspired band, there lacked a cohesiveness. Even when they had the most beautiful graphics of abandoned cabins in America, it needed a little something more to make it make sense, to make it feel real.

What did make my heart flutter was Wesley's consistent love and mention for his wife on stage. The Lumineers make some of the most romantic music known to man, and it's clearer in person that it rings to true to the people they are; husbands and fathers. There's nothing better than authenticity behind the music.

So, do I recommend seeing The Lumineers live? Yes. At an arena? No. At a festival? Abso-freaking-lutely. They are incredible and yet even the audience felt trapped by the arena, unable to dance together on the stairs, getting told off left right and centre for moving about freely, the band and the audience simply need the feel of grass between their toes whilst Angela plays loudly.