US rockers The Lumineers rejoiced at being alive and kicking it once more on stage after singer Wesley Schultz nearly died, along with his wife, when their car flipped over in a horror smash.
The Ho, Hey crooner told how they were lucky to have survived the wreckage in 2021 before singing Where We Are Now, which was inspired by the near-tragic accident.
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Wesley said that the song, off their fourth studio album Brightside, was an ode to the pandemic too, telling fans in Dublin last night: “We were really lucky to somewhow walk away from that experience, and this song is based on that car wreck.
“But it’s also based on the last few years, when the world sort of shut down.
“For us to be standing here tonight, with you guys, enjoying a night out, and a beautiful day, all together, we shouldn’t take this for granted. It was something that was taken away from us, and I’m so grateful to be here.
“I think we all have that hope inside us, when we’re knocked down, we all have to hold on to that hope somehow.”
The Colorado band, formed in 2005, played to a sold out crowd as a hot sun melted over St Anne’s Park in the Irish capital.
The show was a stop on their huge Brightside World tour and preluded their return to London next month when they’ll play their biggest ever UK gig on July 8.
Fans who catch it will really be in for a treat, and not only because their nostalgia packed repertoire is full of sing-along hits like Ho, Hey, first released in 2012, Ophelia, and Stubborn Love.
The American rockers have called upon Brit mega talents Rag‘n’Bone Man and Ella Henderson to warm up for them at Cyrstal Palace Park.
Last night in Dublin, children danced with their mums and dads, teenagers climbed on the shoulders of pals and men and women mouthed all of the words as Wesley skipped across the stage and sang his heart out while strumming a vintage Guild guitar.
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Percussionist Jeremiah Fraites rattled a tambourine and played the piano and the drums barefoot. The enchanting hoolie was brought to life even more so by an honorary string section playing rousing cello and violin around them.
The crowd hushed and then roared when they heard the opening bars to The Rolling Stones’ You Can’t Always Get What You Want, and later on, Wesley and Jeremiah teamed up for a piano-led rendition of his favourite heartbreak anthem from The Cure, Just Like Heaven.
It was accompanied by a giant screen that flashed black and white footage of The Beatles in their heyday, in another subtle homage to their massive UK fanbase.
The Lumineers have long been loved on these shores, having gone from indie noughties rockers to stadium band status in 2016 following the release of their 2016 album Cleopatra, which hit the No1 one spot on both sides of the Atlantic.
It’s that success that has allowed them to call upon incredible support acts like Norwegian collosus Sigrid, who, last night came off a pub crawl in Dublin and straight onto the stage in the same jeans and white tee-shirt, and she got the crowd jumping to her juicy pop bangers Strangers, Bad Life and Don’t Kill My Vibe.
Australian star Vance Joy set the mood earlier on at St Anne’s Park with his campfire-style folk sound and earworm tunes like Riptide and Fire and the Flood.
Everywhere you looked there were paper cups swaying in the air, people jiving and couples hugging – all family friendly fun and exactly why we love The Lumineers.
Wesley certainly appeared happy to be alive, stomping in harmony to his delicious hits. Being the perfect gentleman, he complimented the crowd in an attractive and raspy American twang.
He said: “You are out here, and we’re out here, and this is just a dream come true. So thank you guys.”
Tickets for their Crystal Palace Park headline show are available via Livenation HERE.
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