The Lumineers have been performing the Billy Joel classic ‘New York State of Mind’ as part of their Automatic World Tour.
The Lumineers version of the Joel classic has appeared 12 times to date on the tour with its latest performance in Los Angeles on Saturday (9 August 2025).
Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” suits The Lumineers beautifully because its soulful storytelling and rich imagery align with their heartfelt, rootsy style. The song’s reflective mood allows room for Wesley Schultz’s emotive, textured vocals to shine, while the stripped-back arrangement could be reimagined with the band’s signature acoustic warmth and harmonies. Lyrically, its timeless love letter to New York resonates with The Lumineers’ knack for evoking place and nostalgia. By blending folk instrumentation with the song’s jazzy undertones, they could give it a fresh yet respectful reinterpretation, making it feel both intimate and anthemic in their hands.
Watch the Noise11 interview with Billy Joel And So It Goes Executive Director Steve Cohen:
Covers are popular inclusions to a Lumineers setlist. On the Automatic tour so far they have covered Talking Heads ‘This Must Be The Place’, Tom Petty & The Heartbreaks ‘Mary Jane’s Last Dance’, The Rolling Stones ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ and Justin Bieber’s ‘Ghost’.
The deluxe edition of the ‘Automatic’ album features a cover of the Leon Russell classic ‘A Song For You’.
And the Stephen King TV series ‘The Institute’ features The Lumineers version of Tears For Fears’ ‘Shout’ as its opening theme.
The Lumineers Reinvent The Tears For Fears Classic ‘Shout’ For The Institute
THE LUMINEERS
AUTOMATIC (DELUXE EDITION)
(Dualtone)
Release Date: Friday, June 27
Tracklist:
Same Old Song
Asshole
Strings
Automatic
You’re All I Got
Plasticine
Ativan
Keys On The Table
Better Day
Sunflowers
So Long
A Song For You *
Same Old Song (Acoustic) *
Asshole (Acoustic) *
Plasticine (Acoustic) *
So Long (Acoustic) *
* DELUXE EDITION BONUS
The Lumineers have become one of the defining acts of the 21st-century folk revival, blending heartfelt storytelling with raw, acoustic-driven arrangements. Emerging from Denver in the early 2010s, their breakout hit “Ho Hey” introduced a global audience to their intimate yet anthemic sound. At a time when popular music was dominated by electronic production, The Lumineers reconnected listeners with organic instrumentation, warm harmonies, and lyrics that carried emotional weight.
Their music draws from American folk, rock, and roots traditions, yet it feels timeless rather than nostalgic. Albums like Cleopatra and III showcase their ability to weave narratives through song, often exploring themes of love, loss, addiction, and resilience. The band’s stripped-back approach—eschewing excess for authenticity—has made their work resonate deeply with audiences seeking sincerity in modern music.
Beyond commercial success, The Lumineers have influenced a new wave of indie-folk artists and helped keep acoustic storytelling relevant in the streaming era. Their live performances, marked by communal energy and heartfelt delivery, create a shared experience that feels both personal and universal. In a landscape that often prioritizes volume over vulnerability, The Lumineers stand as champions of music that speaks softly but stays with you.
The Lumineers have announced Australia and New Zealand dates for 2026.
THE LUMINEERS
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND TOUR
JANUARY 2026
Presented by Frontier Touring
FRONTIER MEMBER PRESALE
via frontiertouring.com/thelumineers
Runs 24 hours from: Thursday 14 August (11am local time)
or until presale allocation exhausted
TICKETS ON SALE
Begins: Friday 15 August (12pm local time)
New Zealand:
Saturday 3 January, Christchurch Town Hall | Christchurch, NZ
Tuesday 6 January, Spark Arena | Auckland, NZ
Australia:
Friday 9 January, Sidney Myer Music Bowl | Melbourne, VIC
Tuesday 13 January, Brisbane Entertainment Centre | Brisbane, QLD
Friday 16 January, Qudos Bank Arena | Sydney, NSW
Sunday 18 January, Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena | Adelaide, SA
Wednesday 21 January, RAC Arena | Perth, WA
Lumineers, 9 August 2025, Los Angeles:
Same Old Song
Flowers in Your Hair
Angela
You’re All I Got
A.M. RADIO
Asshole
Charlie Boy
Plasticine
Donna
Ho Hey
Dead Sea
BRIGHTSIDE
Sleep on the Floor
Gloria
Salt and the Sea (with Tom Odell)
Keys on the Table
WHERE WE ARE
Slow It Down
Strings
Automatic
Ophelia
Big Parade
Leader of the Landslide / You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones cover)
New York State of Mind (Billy Joel cover)
REPRISE
Cleopatra
Stubborn Love
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