Live: Mumford and Sons
Written by Lizzie // December 8, 2009 // Features, Live // 10 Comments
We really, really like Mumford and Sons here at American Indie (in fact, if this is news to you, then you’re probably new here). I was very lucky to have been able to get a ticket to see them at their recent Winter Fayre in the courtyard of St. Martin in the Fields church in London’s Trafalgar Square (I say very lucky because the gig sold out in two minutes, and in fact, was oversold), and I’m happy that I got it when I did, because the gig was amazing.
Overused word I know but I find that only superlatives will do in this case. A bouncy castle type affair had been set up as the stage (although less on the bouncy side) and I must admit my heart sunk when I saw it coming out of Charing Cross Station, as it was pouring with rain, a very typical London winter evening. Thankfully the rain broke just before the band were due to come on stage, meaning we were not trying to watch the show through a sea of umbrellas.
Being in London, Mumford’s home town, the crowd was made up of about half and half fans and friends/family, which lead to a very intimate and celebratory atmosphere. It felt like a home coming for a band who have gone global in the past year, and yet still kept their sound and their roots firmly within London’s emergent folk scene. They are considered by many to be one of the jewels in the crown of that particular scene, along with bands such as Noah and the Whale and artists such as Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling.
The band took the stage to rapturous applause and launched into album numbers such as “Awake My Soul” and “Sigh No More” as well as recent single “Little Lion Man”. If you have listened to the album you will know there are no filler tracks; every song has the ability to touch and move you, and so it is on stage. What struck me, however, was that while the album has a quiet beauty which can be restrained but also soaring and beautiful, live this band are almost anthemic in their sound. The 4 part vocal harmonies go deep into your soul and the talent of the instrumental work is just breathtaking. Every song reached new heights for me and I was only slightly disappointed that my favourite album track, “Dustbowl Dance”, didn’t get an airing.
As well as picking some of the best from their beautiful and moving album, the band showed true diversity by playing “Not in Nottingham” from Disney’s 1973 version of Robin Hood. This lead to some banter between the crowd and the band about which other Disney tracks the band could do. I think American Indie should start a campaign to get a Mumford and Sons album of Disney covers, as I have never heard Disney sound so good! This cover was quickly followed by Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel” which the boys credit as one of the first country songs they fell in love with, and a big influence on them. It was a wonderful cover, and really showed their skill as musicians.
Unfortunately the gig ended far too soon due to noise restrictions, and after just over an hour on stage the boys were gone, to prepare for their current tour of India. Luckily I will be seeing them again in March… I may or may not be ticking the days off on my calendar!
Mumford & Sons are Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane. Follow them on MySpace and on their official website.
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10 Comments on "Live: Mumford and Sons"
I had a whole comment that I don’t think went. But A+ article and pictures
I cannot believe that they covered “Wagon Wheel” and that I wasn’t there to see it. It’s my single favorite OCMS song, and one of my favorite songs in general.
If I don’t get to see them when I’m over in May, I’m going to cry.
It’s good to see that you care about indie music, former vice president of the US Dick Cheney.
I wish you could have been there. It was a wonderful cover, I feel very lucky to have seen it
haha, thanks dick
How do I follow comments from Dick?
I’ll just say that it might get my vote for gig of the year, despite having to stand in a puddle for most of it
Love Mumfords, wish I’d been there.
Also pleased it stop raining and no pneumonia for Sheena
They’re touring India? How odd, no?
I was lucky to be there too. Thank you for the pictures though. Great memories froma lovely moonlit night in London.
Merry Christmas.
Missed it. But I did see them in July and September so can’t complain. Great piece Sheena.