The Lumineers @ Portland Crystal Ballroom

When it comes to music taste, you could say that Tennessee, Minnesota, or New York might have the best music taste based on the artists that have come our of those places. But the people in Portland just might have the best music taste based on the people’s choice December to Remember concert series lineup. A well crafted list of popular, current, and upcoming, and international bands. The people of Portland have spoken and they brought what I believe to be the best line-up of bands in the history of December to Remember starting with Sundays performance from the Lumineers.

Playing a sold out show at the Crystal Ballroom, there was little room for disappointment, which only occurred once at a the start as the keyboardist has slight technical difficulty. But it all seemed to fit into the stage performance for each song through the night as each song started and ended. There was a dark stage , some quick shuffle of instruments and silence on stage. Each song was its own performance. Keeping the integrity of the song allowed each song to have its rightful respect instead of smashing two or three songs into each other. Concerts are so fast and loud that those short moment between allowed fr time to appreciate the performance. A song that has been getting The Luminneers a lot of hype and attention, “Oh Hey”, got all the attention and hype that it deserved; They played it twice. Something I have always wished bands would do with their most popular 1-2 songs. After “Flowers in Your Hair” the stage went dark and when the lights reappeared the entire bands emerged with unplugged instruments in the middle of the venue. With no mic they quieted the crowd and got one side to say “hey” and the other side to say “oh” when directed. The bands then began to play “oh Hey” with no mics, plug-ins, or drums. Just acoustic guitars, their loud yelling voice, and 1,500 screaming back up singers. It was an awesome sight and even better sound. After they finished. the song the bands returned to the stage ad played the song “Oh Hey” live, plugged into the stage. Lead singer, Wesley Schultz, was probably the most respectful front man on the face of the earth. With a hint of southern charm the Colorado native often tipped his hat to the crowd as a sign of respect for their coming to the show and supporting them as a band. Something most bands don’t show this genuinely. it was an awesome sight and even better start to the December to Remember concert line-up.

Please enjoy these photos from the Lumineers concert on Sunday, December 2nd at the Crystal Ballroom with opening band Y La Bamba.

(1-13; The Lumineers // Photos: Logan Westom)