There’s just over a week to go until The Lumineers take to the stage at the AO Arena, and the pandemic-enforced hiatus from the live music scene can’t have ended quickly enough for the band.
For Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, who started performing together way back in 2005, it’s the live circuit where The Lumineers really come to life.
According to Wes, the audience is ‘like another instrument’.
Ever since releasing their self-titled debut album in 2012 – and that ever-present, chart-topping single Ho Hey – the audiences have flocked to their shows, singing and chanting every word right back at the band.
Nowhere, Wes says, is quite like a Manchester audience.
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“You’re all pretty rowdy!” he told The Manc during a chat this week.
“It’s some of the most rowdy, fun audiences you can find anywhere. I like audiences that aren’t worried about being overly polite – it’s like it’s uninhibited and that lends itself well to music.
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“For us, the audience is like another instrument. If we ever put out a live album you’ll hear a lot of the audience, because they’re singing with us and they’re adding things, and energy.
“So many of my favourite records growing up had that presence, that electricity.”
Obviously, for much of the last two years, bands like The Lumineers have lost this stage time, as the pandemic forced gigs to be cancelled for months on end.
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Their last tour, the III World Tour, was cut short because of Covid.
“I think we feel like we have unfinished business,” Wes said.
“We feel like we have a lot left to express that wasn’t.
The Lumineers. Credit: Danny Clinch
“And then you combine that with all of the pent-up emotion from the last two years that is gonna be out there on full display on stage.
“I think you’re going to see some of the best live music you’re ever going to see because bands, including us, have been just dying to get back out there.
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“There’s just been a lot of solitary confinement in everyone’s life and I think these concerts are, for those of us who don’t go to organised religion, this is our church.
“This is our way of feeling community and it’s a beautiful thing.”
That band-to-audience connection is something Wes and Jeremiah have tried to hang on to, even as their following has grown.
It’s a desire that will be tested on the 2 March when The Lumineers take to the stage at their AO Arena gig – the second time they’ve performed at the enormous venue.
The Lumineers in 2016 with Manchester United kits on. Credit: Facebook, The Lumineers
Wes continued: “There’s a desire to connect, no matter the size of the room. It’s supposed to feel like you’re at a house show, even if it’s an arena.
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“We’re supposed to feel like we’re sharing some secrets together.
“We’ve been so lucky to move up and play bigger venues, but it presents a whole new set of challenges because really what you’re going after is the thing you started with – you know that really beautiful connection you’d have with an audience if you were playing in someone’s living room.
“You’re trying to have that same experience in a big room, and I hope we’ve got better at that over the years.”
Wes said he remembers the arena dates were more than a little daunting at first.
“I remember we didn’t know what was going to happen but it went really well, and we were like ‘I can’t believe that worked’,” he laughed.
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Credit: AO Arena
“That’s the essence of being in a band – you have all these hopes but it’s like, the whole thing is kind of a wild ride, including playing this arena.”
The Lumineers are touring off the back of their fourth studio album, Brightside, and that means plenty of new material to join the likes of Ho Hey, Ophelia, and Gloria.
As with most musicians, the pair are enjoying testing out their new songs with a crowd at long last.
Wes said: “A.M. Radio’s been really fun to play live, it has a really anthemic chorus and the audience has been singing it back to us.
“That, and there’s a song off the record called Birthday that we actually made to entertain ourselves, and even people who’ve never heard it will join in screaming ‘IT’S ALRIGHT, IT’S ALRIGHT’ – they get it right away, there’s something really immediate.
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“I like it when people are putting their arms around each other, especially complete strangers, because that’s what we all need right now.
The Lumineers’ most recent album, Brightside.
“We need that celebratory mood and I think music was meant to bring people together.
“That’s what I love about music – when you see total strangers high-fiving, singing together, there’s some unification.
“I just love that about live music, it short-circuits all of our defences and leaves us more open.”
The Lumineers have chart-topping albums and huge world tours under their belts, but the thing they’re most proud of is much more wholesome than accolades.
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“Beyond anything, Jer and I will have been doing this for 10 years in April, and I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve managed to stay excited and having fun.
“I think the risk is that people lose that edge of childlike wonderment that keeps you going and doesn’t make things look formulaic.
“For me, I’m most proud of us for still being on the ball – still really wanting to play this music and being excited, like kids.
“It’s been 10 years and for me it’s the most positive sign that we’re still like little school kids. It’s a good feeling.”
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And what’s left on his bucket list? It’s something we can surely all agree with – “I really want to have a tequila with Bruce Springsteen.”
The Lumineers will perform at Manchester’s AO Arena on 2 March. You can get tickets through the venue or at Eventim here.
Featured image: Danny Clinch
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Manchester nightclub clamps down on no-phones policy after ‘disappointing’ rule breakers
Daisy Jackson
Amber’s, a nightclub in Manchester with a strict no-filming policy inside, has shared a strict new set of rules to prevent people using their phones.
The venue says it’s seen an ‘increased amount of phones on the dance floor’ despite its very clear policy against such a thing.
That’s included a recent set from Fred Again, where videos of his show were all over social media the next day.
Amber’s has said it’s ‘disappointing’ to see people flouting the rules of the space, leading to the venue introducing a zero tolerance policy.
Fans who are caught filming on their phones will be asked to leave Amber’s on the spot – no second chances.
There’ll even be extra members of staff patrolling the venue, to protect the ‘vibe of the space’.
“If you are spotted at any point across the night using your phone to record, you will no longer be permitted inside Amber’s,” they shared.
Amber’s wrote in a statement today: “Since our launch back in December, we have made it very clear that we are a No Phones venue. We want to create an experience for everyone where they are present in the moment and not distracted by phones.
“While the majority of people that attend Amber’s keep their phones away, there are a select few that don’t.
“This is of course disappointing.
“Over the recent weeks and months, we have seen an increased amount of phones filming on the dancefloor and we are aware of numerous videos shot on phone appearing online.
“To those that come to Amber’s and respect our house rules, thank you, you are contributing to an incredible vibe in the room.
“For those that don’t, we ask that you think about the space and the people around you before removing your stickers.
“The rules previously have been that if you are seen filming on your phone, you are politely asked to stop, if you are seen again, you are asked to leave the venue.
“From now on, as a renewed pledge to our No Phones policy, if you are seen recording in the venue, you will be asked to leave, there will be no second chances.
“There will now be extra members of staff patrolling the venue, ensuring that the vibe of the space is protected and if you are spotted at any point across the night using your phone to record, you will no longer be permitted inside Amber’s.
“Open your mind. Honour the concept. Respect the space.”
Katy Perry at AO Arena, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more
Daisy Jackson
Katy Perry will be playing a huge arena show here in Manchester this week, with a sold-out night at the AO Arena imminent.
The popstar is bringing her The Lifetimes Tour, which features an extravaganza of props and pyrotechnics, to town on Wednesday 8 October.
The Roar singer will be heading to the AO Arena this week, alongside shows in Sheffield, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
Whether you’re going to watch hits like ‘California Gurls’, ‘Hot ‘N’ Cold’ or excited for the newer tracks like ‘I’m His, He’s Mine’, it’s sure to be one of the biggest gigs to hit the legendary arena all year.
Perry has the second most Diamond-certified singles in for a female artist in the U.S, four guiness world records and five UK number one hits.
Her latest album ‘143’, which is a numeric synonym of ‘I love you’ and the singer’s angel number, came out last year and stormed straight into the top 10 on the UK album charts.
If you’re heading to Katy Perry at the AO Arena tonight, we’ve rounded up all your essential information.
Stage times for Katy Perry at the AO Arena
The AO Arena hasn’t yet confirmed exact stage times for tonight’s show, but we do have enough information to give you a good estimate.
Doors will open at 6pm, with a show start of 7.45pm.
That will mean the support act should wrap up around 8.15pm and Katy Perry is likely to take to the stage between 8.30pm and 8.45pm.
For her Manchester show, Katy Perry will be supported by singer-songwriter Goldie Boutilier.
Goldie, who has also performed under monikers Kay, My Name Is Kay, and Goldilox during her career, will be joining Katy on most of her UK dates, before handing over the reins to Au/Ra and then Becky Hill.
Tickets for Katy Perry at the AO Arena
Katy Perry has completely sold out the AO Arena with The Lifetimes Tour, with no general tickets left at all.
However, there are a few tickets remaining on Ticketmaster’s resale platform, which are priced between £78.73 and £131.18 each.
Expected setlist
Katy has split her show into sections she’s calling ‘Levels’, as a nod to the video game inspiration behind the tour.
Each one is absolutely packed with pop bangers, as you’d expect.
Here’s the latest setlist from her most recent show in Glasgow.
Level 1: Artificial
ARTIFICIAL
Chained to the Rhythm
Teary Eyes
Dark Horse
Level 2: Woman’s World
WOMAN’S WORLD
California Gurls
Teenage Dream
Hot n Cold
Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Peacock
I Kissed a Girl
Level 3: Nirvana
NIRVANA
CRUSH
I’M HIS, HE’S MINE
Wide Awake
Level 3.5: Choose Your Own Adventure (fan requests)
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station, and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
Getting there by car and parking
The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces, including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.