Dean McAdam's verdict: 5 stars
With only one studio album to their name, it could be presumed that The Lumineers would struggle to impose their meagre repertoire on one of the grandest stages of them all.
What folly.
The five-strong folk rockers from Denver, Colorado picked up where Deacon Blue left off earlier in the afternoon on the main stage by commanding a suitably impressed audience with their unique brand of American roots music.
It was an incredible, dominating performance headed by the charismatic lead man Wesley Schultz, consistently communicating with the crowd and directly involving them in the set, giving a rare intimate feel despite the cavernous dimensions of the main stage.
Twin highlights of an outstanding set were Ho Hey, the first single released from their self-titled debut album. An electric number, it appeared to send a spark through the crowd, which the group justifiably enhanced with a frenetic rendition. Flapper Girl was of similar ilk, a thoughtful piece with ties to the traditional flapper girls of 1920s America who were conceptualised succinctly in F.Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Sung with deep gravity and soul, it is a fitting performance of a challenging and moving number.
Falling, which is a brand new effort offers a wonderfully adept duet between Schultz and cello-playing backing vocalist Neyla Pekarek. Flowers In Your Hair brought out some tendencies not at all dissimilar to Bob Dylan, a clear defining influence of this excellent group.
After a successful debut, The Lumineers are undoubtedly under the spotlight to succeed with their next studio offering. They are showing undoubted skill at their craft despite this, and must be a favourable bet to headline this great festival in the coming years.
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