The Lumineers
AO Arena Manchester – 25/5/25
Reviewed By: John A Gilman (also photo)
If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know I’ve got a bit of a habit — some might call it a reckless streak — of taking a punt on gigs from bands I know very little about. Tonight was no exception. The Lumineers were always “that band with that song” — and yes, I’m talking about the ubiquitous, ever-catchy Ho Hey. It’s a track that’s been a staple at local jam nights and open mics for years, and it’s one I’ve always enjoyed hearing, so when the opportunity to see it live came up, I jumped at the chance.
Armed with a Spotify setlist and a mojito for the journey (pre-gig rituals matter, people), I did a bit of last-minute homework and was genuinely blown away. I wasn’t expecting the range, depth, and musicality that poured through those tracks. This wasn’t a one-hit wonder nostalgia trip — far from it. The Lumineers turned out to be a rich, emotive, and at times completely exhilarating experience. And honestly, there’s something special about going into a gig with minimal knowledge — every song feels like a fresh discovery, and hearing music live for the first time has become one of my favourite ways to fall for a band.
Roughly a third of the setlist tonight came from their new album Automatic, and it landed beautifully with a crowd that spanned a surprisingly wide demographic. The rest was a healthy blend of their debut, self-titled album and other fan favourites, showing a band very much in tune with both their roots and their evolution. What struck me most was how seamless the new tracks felt alongside the older ones — I genuinely couldn’t always tell which was which. It all flowed together into one sweeping, sonic landscape.
And what a performance it was. The energy on stage was infectious. Band members moved fluidly between instruments, taking turns on drums, pianos, mandolins, and more, often sprinting from one side of the stage to the other with joy written all over their faces. It wasn’t just musicianship on display — it was showmanship, passion, and chemistry.
Standouts? Of course Ho Hey delivered the goods, and seeing it performed mid-set, stripped-back and shared from the centre of the extended stage, was pure magic. But it wasn’t the only highlight. Plasticine, Flowers In Your Hair, and Charlie Boy were beautifully rendered, with Charlie Boy elevated further by a guest vocal from support act Michael Marcagi — who, by the way, deserves a mention for a genuinely impressive and momentum-building support slot.
A stunning version of Brightside saw frontman Wesley Schultz walk through the crowd all the way to the back of the arena and back again, drawing cheers and waves like a returning hero. Meanwhile, Automatic (the new album’s title track) was given a stripped, acoustic treatment and dedicated to a local family in the audience. It was a beautifully human moment in a set full of heart.
Wesley was a generous host throughout, introducing songs with heartfelt anecdotes and talking to the crowd with warmth and sincerity. The entire band felt connected — to each other and to the audience. At times, watching them switch instruments with seamless coordination was like watching a well-rehearsed piece of theatre, only far more alive. A bass drum in the middle of the stage acted as a time-keeper during group numbers on the extended stage, and when they gathered around it, the feeling was intimate despite the arena’s size.
They delivered a mammoth 28-song set over 2 hours and 15 minutes — talk about value for money. As a cherry on top, they threw in a pitch-perfect cover of Don’t Look Back in Anger — a nod to Manchester and a move that sent the arena into full-on emotional overdrive.
One of the most original and charming moments came when each band member was introduced, not just by name, but by taking turns to sing a verse of Big Parade — something I’d never seen done before, and which worked beautifully, leading straight into Leader of the Landslide, interspersed with a cheeky snippet of You Can’t Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones.
Another thing I really appreciated: they skipped the usual encore charade. No fake exit, no “Will they/won’t they” — just pure momentum from start to finish. Good move. I knew from setlists I’d seen online that this was coming, so I was ready for it. Cleopatra opened the final stretch with a haunting a cappella intro, followed by a truly sublime Stubborn Love,full drum kit wheeled into the extended stage for one of the tracks that had caught my attention during my earlier listening prep. During which, Jeremiah (inspired by Wesley’s earlier crowd walk) made his way through the audience and back again.
And then, just like that, it was over.
I went in knowing one song. I left feeling like I’d witnessed something truly special. In a genre I’d barely explored, this band managed to deliver what might just be the greatest live music experience I’ve had in over 35 years of gig-going. Out of the 657 shows I’ve attended — yes, I count — this one has landed firmly in the top three, right up there with legends. From my first gig as a 13-year-old at the Manchester Apollo in 1981, to tonight, it’s been a long journey — and this one felt like a full-circle moment in the best way.
The Lumineers created a perfect storm of emotion, musicianship, and energy — all amplified by an audience that was completely in the moment. It was intimate and grand all at once. They’ve won me over completely, and I’m now diving headfirst into their discography.
Wesley said the crowd tonight was twice as strong as the last time they were in Manchester — and you could feel that mutual love in the air. Next time they tour, I’ll be getting tickets early, because I suspect those shows will sell out fast. Deservedly so.
Go see this band. You will not regret it. They will make you happy and no you will not need any Ativan
Set List;
- Same old song
- Flowers in your hair
- Angela
- You’re all I got
- AM Radio
- Asshole
- Charlie boy (with Michael Marcagi)
- Plasticine
- Donna
- Ho Hey
- Dead Sea
- Brightside (Wesley in the crowd)
- Sleep on the floor
- Gloria
- Gun song
- Ativan
- Where we are
- Slow it down
- Strings
- Automatic (Acoustic)
- Don’t look back in anger (Oasis cover)
- Ophelia
- Big parade (ever member sang a verse)
- Leader of the landslide
- So long
- Reprise
- Cleopatra (a capella into full band)
- Stubborn love