"Thank goodness for Mumford & Sons - Avett Brothers shows were getting too crowded."
To anyone worth their showgoing salt, if you compare a concert to the Radiohead one at Nissan Pavilion a few years back, folks know exactly what you mean. And last week's Mumford & Sons show started that way. A Chick-Fil-A stop and 2.5 hour drive in traffic in bad weather--with hail--led us to missing the openers... and lots of, "How'd ya'll stay dry?" looks and commentary.
And because of the rain, people got trashed. Like, human cannonball into Merriweather Staff and knock over stanchions, I see you in my rearview mirror slumped over the steering wheel, drunk. Not kidding when I say, really hoping the DD drinks sodas free rule still applies. All of this would be fine if the show wasn't sold out to a near 20,000 person capacity, roughly about 15,000 of those tickets being lawn patrons who got absolutely drenched by the rain. Paints a picture?
You might ask, what does this have to do with Mumford & Sons themselves? Next to nothing, I guess. They put on a solid performance filled with rich music (live brass is a sweet spot). Highlights included the opening number, Sigh No More, Little Lion Man, and the banjo plucking pelvic thrusting from Winston Marshall... like Usher playing a banjo, that one.
M&S also performed a handful of new songs, and who doesn't appreciate hearing new music? The caveat, however, is that the new songs were not only significantly more radio friendly (ie less banjo), but pretty lackluster to boot.
Mumford & Sons are like the Avett Brothers' popular, better looking older brother. But, as Mindy Kaling says, "no one who was a big star in high school is a big star later in life, except athletes." The preview of what's new for Mumford doesn't thrill me, and their lyrics lack the complexity of my favorite Avetts (with whom they somewhat share a sound).
Fantastic musicians with a bright future in the industry in some capacity, but staying power is questionable. That being said, I gave it a solid seven.
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| Mumford and Sons - June 9, 2011 - Merriweather - Composite Score: 7 |
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