Live Review: The Lumineers in Perth 2026.
The Automatic Tour – 21st January 2026 at the RAC Arena
Review by Sheldon Ang
The Lumineers’ show was a night of festivities, as fans and band fused into a joyful communion. It was almost holy, given the folksy revelations and musical eclectic eccentricities strumming from the nine musicians on stage.
The Automatic World Tour supports the Lumineers’ fifth studio album, which includes other classic tracks. The album debuted at #16 on the Billboard 200. Perth is the final leg of the Australian – New Zealand tour, so fans expected an accumulative finale.
Formed in 2026 by Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, the Lumineers are a Grammy-nominated American folk-rock band known for their raw, heartfelt lyrics and stripped-down acoustic sound, rising to global fame with their 2012 hit “Ho Hey”.
Gracing the stage 15 minutes late at 9:00 pm, from the very first note of “Same Old Song,” lead vocalist and guitarist Wesley Schultz stepped into the spotlight with restrained confidence, and Jeremiah Fraites – his musical brother of two decades – stood tall alongside as a multi-instrumentalist. “We’ve been together for 20 years,” Wesley said. “Some can’t make it past four,” said the singer with two pig tails and a cap.
Seven musicians filled the stage, each one channelling something organic and electric. Xylophones shimmered, violins wept, tambourines danced, and guitars – big and small – sang with joy and sorrow. The band moved mellifluously, flowing from one instrument to another, like playing musical chairs. It was beautifully chaotic.
When “Angela” began, the arena transformed into a revelry mode. Thousands of hands clapped in rhythm. We were all part of the band. Then came “Gale Song,” and in a surprise twist, guest performers The Head and the Heart returned to the stage, weaving their harmonies into the fabric of the night.
But it was “Donna” that got spiritual. Just Wesley and Jeremiah, alone at the edge of the runway. Wesley dropped to his knees, hands clasped in a silent prayer, as if summoning something sacred. It was a moment of collective stillness, of shared grief and grace.
And so the biggest moment of the night arrived– as we all guessed it, “Ho Hey.” The lights flared, the crowd surged to their feet, and the lyrics poured out of every mouth. It was pure joy, unfiltered and unashamed. The fans were part of it, singing from the melody and chorus to the final note. Everyone stood in harmony. The infectious chorus became the jingle of the night. Over seven thousand phone lights sparkled across the floor and the two tiers, with the mood of 2012 was relived.
The second half of the show took us deeper. “Slow It Down” was hypnotic, aching, transcendent. It felt like being pulled into a dream you didn’t want to wake from. A masterpiece, plain and simple.
“Brightside” brought Wesley into the crowd, no security, no barriers. Just him, walking among us, singing like we were old friends. It was raw, real, and wildly intimate. Meanwhile, Jeremiah floated between instruments like a man possessed, his energy infectious, his joy palpable.
By the time “Ophelia” hit, the arena was a sea of movement and sound. The cheers were deafening, the love undeniable. But it was “Big Parade” that left us breathless. As the final notes rang out, every musician froze in place – like statues caught mid-dance. It was twilight zone eerie, theatrical, and perfect.
Each band member was introduced with affection and flair, their eccentricities celebrated. They weren’t just backing players – they were storytellers, each adding their own color to the canvas.
In a moment that brought tears to more than a few eyes, the band played Justin Bieber’s “Ghost” in honor of Wesley’s late brother. It was one of his brother’s favourite songs. The lyrics, the vulnerability, the love – it all landed with a quiet, devastating beauty.
As the lights dimmed and the final echoes faded after “Stubborn Love” and “Cleopatra”, we were left standing in the afterglow of something rare.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Frontier Touring and The Lumineers for the review accreditation
Setlist of the Automatic Tour – Perth 2026
Same Old Song — Automatic (2024)
Flowers in Your Hair — The Lumineers (2012)
Angela — Cleopatra (2016)
You’re All I Got — Automatic (2024)
A.M. RADIO — BRIGHTSIDE (2022)
Asshole — Automatic (2024)
Gale Song — The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Soundtrack (2013)
Donna — III (2019)
Ho Hey — The Lumineers (2012)
Dead Sea — The Lumineers (2012)
BRIGHTSIDE — BRIGHTSIDE (2022)
Sleep on the Floor — Cleopatra (2016)
Gloria — III (2019)
Salt and the Sea — III (2019)
WHERE WE ARE — BRIGHTSIDE (2022)
Leader of the Landslide — III (2019)
Slow It Down — The Lumineers (2012)
Automatic — Automatic (2024)
Ophelia — Cleopatra (2016)
Big Parade — The Lumineers (2012)
Ghost (Justin Bieber cover) — original by Justin Bieber (2021)
Cleopatra — Cleopatra (2016)
Stubborn Love — The Lumineers (2012)
About the writer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 200 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), AD/DC, Metallica, KISS, RHCP, P!NK and Suzi Quatro with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 100 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
