Lord Huron

On September 13, the legendary L’Olympia in Paris came alive, ready to welcome a night of music. The most emblematic room soon filled with people from all horizons and ages, all gathered for the same reason: to discover Lord Huron’s world live.

At 9 p.m., as the intro of “Who Laughs Last” resonated through the space, the lights began to buzz and the band entered the stage. The crowd screamed and clapped in unison. What makes L’Olympia so unique and mystic is its floor: under the pit, countless springs hold it in place. When you’re standing, you feel every vibration, and if people are jumping beside you, you will jump too.

On stage, a carefully curated set design gave space for each member. There were two levels: an upper one for Mark Barry (percussion, vocals), supporting musicians and vocalists Misty Boyce and Brandon Walters, and a vintage jukebox engraved with “Cosmic Selector - The Best in Music.” The lower, main floor was reserved for Ben Schneider (lead vocals, guitar), Miguel Briseño (bass, keyboard, theremin, percussion), and Tom Renaud (guitar, vocals). At the center stood an old phone booth, lit in white. Golden fringe curtains decorated the background and sides of the stage, catching the light beautifully throughout the show.

Ben Schneider entered, singing while interacting with the phone booth. It felt theatrical, adding a unique layer to the performance. The phone became an essential part of the show, appearing in multiple interactions. One of the most striking moments came when the phone rang mid-show. Ben hesitated before answering, but it picked up on its own. “Hello? Hello?” he asked. A mysterious voice responded: “There are rules, and there is a price to breaking them. Nothing escapes the balance design. No one runs free from fate without paying back their cosmic debt. Nothing escapes the ba(....)” before abruptly hanging up. A strange, eerie vibe filled the room, right before the intro of “Secret of Life” began. These theatrical pauses added to the special atmosphere of the night.

The lights were another highlight, perfectly matched to each song. From warm to cold, green to pink, every shade was chosen with care. Fast flashing blue and orange lights electrified “Ancient Names (Part I)” while subtle secondary lights pulsed in sync with the piano notes during “Long Lost”. The entire concert was a spectacle for the eyes as much as the ears.

Ben explained from the start he wouldn’t be speaking much, though midway through the set,  he did take a moment to talk about their new album The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, released a few months ago. He asked if anyone had listened yet, visibly surprised at how many people raised their hands. He laughed, joking, “So much better than the last show.” With warmth and humor, he acknowledged that not everyone has time, saying “life is hard and a lot of shit happens.” But he asked the audience to listen when they could—front to back, the old-fashioned way. “It was crafted to be heard as a whole,” he said, “and new meanings reveal themselves that way.” He then teased, “Whatever you do, don’t listen to it backwards,” earning laughs from the crowd.

The setlist drew from across their discography, balancing older favorites and new gems. Each member switched seamlessly between instruments—guitars, bass, keys, harmonica, cello—showcasing their undeniable talent.

The most emotional moment arrived, as expected, with “The Night We Met”. Their most-streamed track to date, with more than three billion listens on Spotify alone, the song was first discovered widely through the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. When the opening notes played, the entire room lit up with phone flashes. I saw couples hugging and dancing, some people cried and most importantly everyone sang. It was a beautiful moment of connection—one that perfectly captured the magic of the night.

As the final notes faded and the golden curtains shimmered one last time, the audience left L’Olympia with magic in the eyes. Lord Huron’s show was everything we could hope for and way more than just a music performance. 

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Words and photos: Ash Psaltopoulos