by photojournalist Dan Fernandez
On October 8, 2025, Tampa, Florida was treated to an unforgettable night as The Lumineers brought The Automatic World Tour to the newly dubbed Benchmark International Arena. With Chance Peña paving the way, the early evening set a high bar for what was to come as the band toured in support of their newest studio album Automatic, released February 2025.
Chance Peña, the young, talented singer-songwriter from Tyler, Texas, kicked off the night with a tantalizing set. Known for his blend of traditional storytelling and modern musical influences, he has earned plenty of early career success, including a collaboration with musician John Legend. Peña delivered an evocative performance that showcased his distinctive style. With hits like “Up, Up & Away” and “Conversations in the Dark,” his charm and vocal gallantry laid perfect bedrock for the night, leaving attendees eagerly awaiting The Lumineers.
As an image of a cassette tape appeared floating on a blue screen behind the stage, The Lumineers filed out into place, ready to bring their signature Americana/folk sound to eyes and ears of those in attendance. Led by founding members Wesley Schultz (lead vocals, guitar) and Jeremiah Fraites (drums, percussion), the two were joined on stage by a dynamic group of touring musicians that included Stelth Ulvang, Byron Isaacs, Brandon Miller, and Lauren Jacobson. This ensemble of multi-instrumentalists made up one of the most electrifying touring groups that I have ever seen, seamlessly swapping instruments throughout the performance; Be it a simple hand off or launching tambourines to each other across the width of the stage without fail.
While all the musicians in support did a fantastic job, it was the barefooted Ulvang who stole the show. Whether he was rocking the accordion, playing a kick drum with a tambourine, flinging his piano stool across the stage or launching himself off the top of his piano (a good 15 feet into the air) I could not keep my eyes off his vigorous approach to entertaining. Especially during the night’s rendition of “Big Parade” where each member took turns singing a verse. I got the feeling that Ulvang would not care of there were 200 or 20,000 in attendance, he would still be playing just as hard and having just as much fun.
The bands performance as a unit was a hypnotizing journey through The Lumineers vast catalogue, as their 26-song set list spanned all 5 of their studio albums. I will include a complete set list at the bottom of this review, but a few notable songs that I heard lingering on the lips of fans as they walked to my car were “Angela”, “Dead Sea”, “Ho Hey”, “Ophelia” “You’re all I got” and “Brightside”, with Schultz sending the arena into a frenzy as he made his way through the audience, up and down the stairs and around the floor making a quick pit stop by my seat (shout out to the Benchmark team for the amazing seat location.) Schultz’s connection with the crowd proved evident and grew exceedingly infectious as the night went on with the band rounding off the set with fan favorites, and Dan favorites, “Cleopatra” and “Stubborn Love.”
The most touching moment of the night came when Schultz elaborated on his tradition of dedicating a song to his late younger brother, who tragically passed away from a heart attack far too soon. As his voice was cracking, on the verge of tears I looked around the room rarely finding a dry eye. The choice of “Long Way from Home,” which was requested by a fan on the street earlier in the day, was the perfect fit as it was written after his father’s passing some years ago. As Schultz sang it was clear that this tribute along with his willingness to share his personal struggles so openly resonated deeply, serving to create a unified atmosphere of reflection amongst the crowd.
As if The Lumineers musicianship was not enough to hold an audience’s attention the tech team really \ swung for the fences on this one and it paid off. Behind the scenes the crews worked to enhance the experience with cinematic quality, stunning visuals on the back screen that tied into each song being played, synced up with an incredible light show. The flawless execution of the FX team blended with the bands spirited stage demeanor, fiery style, heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies came together to deliver one of the most powerfully fervent and entertaining concerts of the year.
One thing is for sure The Lumineers treated the audience to something special on Wednesday night. A night filled with emotion and powerful storytelling, from Peña’s alluring opening act to the heartfelt tributes and talent for stagecraft shown by The Lumineers. For those who were present, it was a night that encapsulated the spirit of americana, leaving us all eagerly looking forward to the next time that they return.
Set List
1. Same Old Song, 2. Flowers in Your Hair, 3. Angels, 4. You’re All I Got. 5. A. M. RADIO, 6. Asshole, 7. Charlie Boy, 8. Plasticine, 9. Donna, 10. Ho Hey, 11. Dead Sea, 12. BRIGHTSIDE, 13 Sleep on the Floor, 14. Glorida, 15. Salt and the Sea, 16. Keys on the Table, 17. WHERE WE ARE, 18. Slow It Down, 19. Automatic, 20. Ophelia, 21. Big Parad2, 22. Leader of the Landslide, 23. Long Way from Home, 24. Reprise, 25. Cleopatra, 26. Stubborn Love
