For Wesley Schultz, the frontman of chart-topping folk-rock band The Lumineers, performing for adoring crowds is a regular part of life. Yet, hearing how the band's music has woven itself into the fabric of fans' most personal moments still carries a profound weight.
When told that their 2012 global smash Hey Ho was a feature at a listener's wedding ceremony, Schultz's reaction over a Zoom call from New York is one of genuine humility. "It's an honour, I swear," he says. "It's crazy to think it's found its way into people's lives that way. When you're writing in your bedroom or basement, you don't really imagine that it will make its way into people's big moments."
A Constant Companion Through Life's Highs and Lows
Music has been a central force for Schultz, 42, since his childhood in New Jersey, where he developed a deep love for American songwriting legends like Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and his father's favourite, Leonard Cohen. This passion later drove him and bandmate Jeremiah Fraites to make a bold cross-country move from New York to Denver, Colorado.
While Denver is famed for its mountains and football team, it was there the duo's melodic indie-folk sound crystallised. They met cellist Neyla Pekarek, and by 2012, their self-titled debut album and its lead single Hey Ho had catapulted them to international fame. Four more albums have followed: Cleopatra (2016), III (2019), Brightside (2022), and Automatic, released in February 2025.
However, the power of music took on a new, deeper meaning for Schultz in May 2025, when his younger brother, Sam, died suddenly at the age of 39. "It's helped me with grieving in some ways and helped me feel something," Schultz reveals. "With the advent of social media... you can entertain yourself into oblivion and into numbness. Music has been a really healthy thing to be around a lot. It brought back an innocence towards it."
Honouring a Brother Through Song
Celebrating Sam's life has become a poignant part of The Lumineers' live shows this year. During their North American and European tours, the band has paid tribute by covering Billy Joel's New York State of Mind and Justin Bieber's Ghost.
"Singing that, someone else's song, I remember how much I loved music," Schultz reflects. "Getting to pour my heart into those songs and bringing yourself to tears over music is a good reminder. It becomes a business and you're so exhausted from touring, but if you're reminded every so often, it's such a gift."
He believes music offers a powerful alternative to feeling like a victim of circumstance. "Music allows you to unlock a lot more and dive headfirst into this emotion that everyone's diving from," he says.
Embracing the Legacy of 'Hey Ho' and Looking Ahead
While the stomping, chant-along anthem Hey Ho defined the early 2010s folk revival alongside acts like Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers have continued to build a substantial catalogue with hits like Ophelia and Stubborn Love. Unlike some artists who grow to resent their biggest song, Schultz views it with gratitude.
"The first few albums, you're a bright shiny new thing to the world," he explains. "It's burning so bright you have to be OK with it happening and let it go. What you can control is putting out records you feel are our best work and tell real stories."
He sees their early success as a lasting gift. "Overall it's nice to know when you put something out that there's a certain number of people that will always give it a chance. That's maybe the biggest reward for the early stuff. It's like an icebreaker."
Australian fans will get to experience The Lumineers' heartfelt live show when they make their Newcastle debut on January 15, 2026, at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. They will be joined by fellow American indie-folk group The Head and The Heart for what promises to be a memorable night of music and connection.
