Finding the scene competition in their Brooklyn base a bit too bloodthirsty, duo vocalist/guitarist Wesley Schultz and drummer Jeremiah Fraites relocated to Denver, Colo., and recruited cellist Neyla Pekarek, christening themselves The Lumineers.
The Lumineers’ upward trajectory began in early 2011, when they secured management after posting a YouTube video of a performance of their future hit single, “Ho Hey.” With funding from the managers, The Lumineers recorded their debut album and, before the end of the year, “Ho Hey” was featured in the season finale of the CW’s Hart of Dixie, which sparked a social media frenzy. Early last year, Seattle DJ John Richards started playing the song heavily on his morning show and The Lumineers were subsequently featured on David Dye’s World Cafe radio show, all of which led to major label interest of the first order. The Lumineers and Cold War Kids perform 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Riverbend. $21.50-$41.50. riverbend.org.
This article appears in May 29 – Jun 4, 2013.
