September 19, 2025 – Having seen The Lumineers twice in the past few years, I’ve seen them playing mid-sized venues to now selling out stadiums like Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Colorado folk rockers – The Lumineers brought their Automatic World Tour to a sold-out performance at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. Celebrating their 20th year together as bandmates, the Denver duo returned with another hit album, Automatic, and a night full of songs that spanned their career.
Photos + Article by Steve Cerf ( @SteveCerf )
Kicking off the show with “Same Old Song” from Automatic, the crowd was ecstatic as everyone in the stadium was up on their feet and dancing. They kept the focus on the new record early, with “You’re All I Got” drawing loud cheers. You would think that things couldn’t get more frenzied, and you would be wrong. This was The Lumineers at their best, sharing intimacy with a stadium audience.
The crowd sang along in unison with songs like “Ho Hey,” “Cleopatra,” “Sleep on the Floor,” and “Angelina,” to name a few. Later in the set, Automatic’s “Plasticine” had the stadium swaying together, a reminder that the new songs already carry the same weight as the classics. You could hear the soulfulness, emotion, and depth to their songs. Wesley Schultz showed a dynamic quality in his voice — raw yet gentle, pulling on the heartstrings with emotion and heartbreak. Demonstrating tons of energy, Schultz displayed his passion and incredible delivery while co-founder Jeremiah Fraites gave a flawless performance behind the drum kit. It was fun to watch the band stretch its performance muscles.
The entire band — Stelth Ulvang (piano, keyboards, accordion), Byron Isaacs (bass, guitar, backing vocals), Brandon Miller (guitar, mandolin, percussion), and Lauren Jacobson (strings, piano, backing vocals) — radiated the hand clapping, rowdy shouting and hyped-up fervor that’s hard to resist. One of the magical elements of The Lumineers is the band’s ability to have as much fun as their audience is having. The energy and happiness and enthusiasm they brought to the show was so contagious I’d challenge anyone who witnessed their performance to try not to have fun as the band members strutted and jumped around the stage and sang songs to get their feet and singing in harmony with them. All that unbounded push in the name of making a connection is tough to resist.
The band began their close with “Cleopatra” before ending the night with “Stubborn Love” from their debut album, leaving the crowd on a high note and echoing in their minds as they exited the venue. It was a night that showcased the power of live music to connect and inspire, leaving the audience with memories to cherish for years to come. The Lumineers proved that when talent, passion and authenticity come together, the result is a concert experience that leaves the hearts full, and spirits lifted.
