Mumford & Sons at the 560 Club, Vancouver, May 20 2010. Catherine Carmichael photo
Review – Mumford & Sons at the 560 Club, Vancouver, May 20 2010
– review and photos by Catherine Carmichael
“Awake My Soul” is the title of one of the tracks on Mumford and Sons’ debut Sigh No More, and that was precisely the vibration felt at 560 Club on May 31st when the U.K. folk-pop band performed. A powerful kick drum and the raspy voice of Marcus Mumford were some of the most obvious contributions to the memorable show.
The evening, though off to a late start due to “technical difficulties,” opened brilliantly with The Middle East. The song “Blood”, which started off quiet and calm and built on a catchy glockenspiel part into a crescendo of voices, whistling, and complementary instrumental parts, was one of the most striking of the Australian indie-folk band’s set.
Finally, the much-anticipated and highly admired Mumford and Sons took the stage, with members of the group apologizing for the late start and joking with the audience that they would be calling in sick to work the following morning.
Over the course of the show, the band played most songs from Sigh No More, including the hit single “Little Lion Man”, which had the entire audience singing along and stomping their feet as if the occasion was a gathering of old friends in a quaint neighbourhood pub in a London suburb. The band proved itself to be made up of excellent performers and just as good live, if not better, than on its recordings. Marcus Mumford, the lead, has such incredible pipes he doesn’t miss a note, nor did he go pitch-y on any of them. Further, Mumford’s “sons” Ben Lovett (keyboards, accordion), Ted Dwane (bass), and Marshall “Country” Winston (banjo, dobro) harmonize beautifully, making it seem as natural as breathing.
The band also saluted Canada with a cover of Neil Young’s “Dance, Dance, Dance”, which was true to the original while the band made it their own.
Ultimately, the Mumford and Sons delivered their product sublimely, all while adding English charm and personality. Most audience members would agree, despite the hour at the end of the show and after an encore, they did not want the show to end. “Sigh no more”, for they will be back.
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