Mumford & Sons Triumph At Bonnaroo

Videos by American Songwriter

It was their second consecutive attempt to carve out an indelible moment in Bonnaroo history, and “it band” of the moment Mumford & Sons did not disappoint. The British folk-rockers turned in an inspired, impassioned performance under the Bonnaroo sun that left everybody talking.

By mid-afternoon, the crowd to see them had swelled beyond the horizon. “There are so many more of you than there were last year” keyboardist Ben Lovett observed.  Among those taking it all in were the random rogue’s gallery of Ron Jeremy, Zach Braff, and American Idol cast-off David Archuletta.

Mumford were introduced by Mike Harris of Nashville indie rockers Apache Relay. The burly guitarist came out shirtless and got the crowd pumped up.

Beyond the extended body count, for Mumford fans, there was a sense of forward motion as well. “As soon as we’re done here, we’re going to go make another album,” promised Lovett. The band previewed several fresh songs from their upcoming record, which sat comfortably alongside old favorites like “Sigh No More” and “Roll Away Your Stone.” The new material was inspired in part by their time in Tennessee, taking in the warmth of the Nashville music scene.

For the finale, it was guitar pull time — members of Old Crow Medicine Show, who Mumford joined onstage for their finale hours earlier, Harris, and Jerry Douglas, dobro player for Alison Krauss and Union Station, came aboard to sing “Amazing Grace.” For Mumford & Sons, those lyrics about being “found” must have felt extra meaningful.

Watch a stream of the show below.

12 Comments

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  1. Wish I could have been–I’ve had the pleasure of seeing M&S live twice this year–once at the opening gig in the Railroad Revival Tour they did with Old Crow Medicine Show and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. They’re great live–lots of energy.

  2. Moved to tears. I’ve seen them live three times and every time I see them they just keep getting better and better and BETTER. Words cannot capture my emotions.

  3. I had occasional bouts of depression this weekend sorry that I could not be at the show, then I found this and I am giddy. Thank you so much for posting this and I hope you archive it so we can watch it over and over. Awesome quality. Thank you, thank you.

  4. M&S is great and put on a great show! Another band that’s just as passionate is the Farewell Drifters. I’ve had the priviledge of seeing them live 3 times and they are amazing!!! What a great fresh sound in there newest album Echo Boom.

  5. such an amazing show! they were really the band that pushed me over the edge to go back again this year. They far exceeded my expectations and totally made my Bonnaroo. i’m so glad i found this and can watch it over and over 🙂

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