The Lumineers — NPR Tiny Desk, 2020

A live concert filmed at NPR’s headquarters in Washington on 28 February 2020, this Tiny Desk features The Lumineers, one of the flagship bands of 2010s American folk-rock. Led by singer-guitarist Wesley Schultz and multi-instrumentalist Jeremiah Fraites, the Colorado group made its name with anthemic choruses and an emotional intensity that turns stadiums into intimate gatherings. True to that reputation, the set at Bob Boilen’s desk draws heavily on the third album, III, a concept record telling the story of a family struggling with addiction, in three acts. The band opens with gut-wrenching versions of Gloria and Leader of the Landslide, carried by Schultz’s raw voice and stripped-down acoustic instrumentation. Far from the scale of big venues, this live capture foregrounds the narrative power and sincerity that are the Lumineers’ hallmark. A warm, intimate filmed concert for discovering the best of contemporary folk, in the cult Tiny Desk format.