CONCERT REVIEW: The Lumineers @ Johnny’s Brenda’s 4/24

POSTED: Thursday, April 26, 2012, 2:00 PM

Filed Under: Music Concert Review

(Courtney Sexton)

Classy Girls Don’t Kiss in Bars

I’m obviously not the only one in Philly digging the bluegrass/roots revival; Denver natives The Lumineers played to a sold-out crowd at Johnny Brenda’s last night... and hot damn there was some hardcore foot-stomping and hand-clapping going on. Opening with the up-tempo “Submarines” and the heel-kicking “I ain’t nobody’s problem,” a tune by their pal Sawmill Joe, frontmen Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites had the audience wrapped around their suspenders and ukulele strings in seconds flat. The core trio (rounded-out by cellist/vocalist Neyla Pekarek) definitely knows how to play a crowd. For “Ho Hey,” they had the whole house roused up to do backup vocals.

The group slowed things down a bit midway through with tunes like “Slow It Down” and one of my faves, the balladic “Dead Sea,” which really showcases Schultz’s deep, gritty, country vocals. They are a talented, engaging bunch. I was particularly impressed by the keyboardist, who (for me) stole the show, especially with his bits of improv on “Flapper Girl.” In the encore set a beaming audience member was invited onstage to hold the glockenspiel while Fraites played, and Schultz introduced everyone and their instruments, in true bluegrass fashion.

For fans of Mumford and Sons, the Avett Brothers, and the Head and the Heart, The Lumineers are a refreshingly intimate addition to the folk scene, exuding a really genuine down-home affect that complements their true-to-the-heart lyrics and solid musical talent. Subtle hair-slicking and hat-tipping makes you fall in love with them as much as their earnest “oh oh, ah ah, hey heys.”

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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