One night, one new core memory on a random Wednesday, and a stadium of people that all become connected simply from the art of music: that is how I would describe The Lumineers concert. The Lumineers executed that—how beautiful and moving music can be—in their performance on Oct. 1.
Feelings of excitement and enthusiasm were all that coursed through my veins last night. To start, it was not stressful at all coming into the concert. Parking was relatively easy, and it was a very quick check-in to enter Van Andel Arena. The opener, Chance Peña, was a very talented artist. Though he is more underground, his performance was a great introduction to the night that kick-started the rest of the event. I discovered some unknown songs through the opener, which was a great way to begin the concert. The venue was definitely filled, but it was not packed; there was a lot of room to breathe, which is rare for a good concert. For me, there was no one in the row in front of me, so I had a clear view of the stage and performance.
When The Lumineers’ long-awaited entry finally happened around 8:45 p.m., it was magical. They started strong with one of their most notable tracks, “Same Old Song.” It was clear everyone in the stadium was feeling the exact way I did; nothing but adrenaline was running through my blood. The introduction was amazing and had the audience constantly wanting more.
The visuals during the music were amazing as well. The lights would shine upon the crowd and make the effects of the music even greater. I would go as far as to say I felt it in my bones. The lights added to the artistry of the show and made what was already a great concert an even better one. To add to this, some of the band would come into the crowd, creating a more personal feel. Wesley Schultz, the main singer, went down onto where the floor spots were and made his way to people in their seats by running up the stairs, trying to give everyone an unforgettable experience.
The band would also try its best to make things interactive. They did cool tricks on the stage, and at one point, there was a headstand happening, along with a band member running enthusiastically around the stage, getting the crowd even more excited. During some of the songs, Schultz let the crowd take it away by going quiet and letting his audience sing. These moments had such a huge impact on me, and many of the people in the crowd. It escalated the experience even more.
Of course, the main thing that makes a concert fun is the music. Every single song that was played was so good. Even the ones I did not know, I was able to have fun during them. I went into The Lumineers concert not really knowing what to expect, but I came out of the stadium a bigger fan than I went in. The whole show was beautiful. The music, the visuals, and how the crowd was able to connect were things I will never forget. The concert will be remembered by many, including me, for its many factors of excellence.
