The Lumineers’ lead singer, Wesley Schultz, performs at the Moody Center on Tuesday.
Veiled in a misty, blue haze, The Lumineers introduced the Automatic World Tour to a packed Moody Center on Tuesday with the “Same Old Song.”
The first notes made a strong impression, pulsating from a drum that viewers could feel. The biggest crowd they’ve played for in Austin reciprocated that energy.
“There’s only one explanation for how we ended up here tonight, and that’s because of y’all,” said Wesley Schultz, co-founding member and lead vocalist. “Not being overly dramatic or sarcastic, you guys shared a song with someone else who shared a song, and you got us here.”
Although fan-favorite hits like “Ophelia” and “Ho Hey” reminded the crowd of The Lumineers’ stardom, Schultz got close with the audience during “BRIGHTSIDE” in an intimate marathon, spanning the floor and lower sections.
Back on stage, the band displayed their innate chemistry throughout the night. This year marks 20 years since the band’s formation for Shultz and other co-founding member, Jeremiah Fraites, who has played nearly every instrument for the band.
“Over these last 20 years, one of the only things I learned was that you don’t really do it alone,” Schultz said. “You have to put your ego aside and admit that you need somebody else to do this job. And the minute you can do that, you go a lot farther.”
The show featured a six-piece lineup that made the concert feel more like a fun get-together, taking group selfies and playing games of catch with tambourines on stage. Pianist Stelth Ulvang, who wore a bow-tie but not shoes, made every move one to remember. Floating illusions and dances on top of pianos were met with applause.
Although theatrical, the concert took on a serious tone when Shultz reflected on the death of his brother Sam, 39. Since his passing, Schultz has dedicated a song to his younger brother every show. For Austin, the band sang a cover of “A Song for You,” originally by Leon Russell.
“The essence of life, I heard somebody say, (is) you’re drinking from the fire hose of life,” Shultz said. “You’re taking it all at once. It’s not convenient. Doesn’t always give you what you want at the right time. But I can tell you I’m enjoying tonight because of that low, it gives me some context for this. Thank you for giving me something to be happy about.”
As the last stop on the Automatic World Tour came to a close, Austin got the last word in as cheers and chants filled the stadium as the band walked, and Jacobson cartwheeled off stage.