Thebarton Theatre, 22 July
Special Guests: Boy & Bear (Aus), Alberta Cross (US)
Commencing their first headlining Australia tour in Adelaide’s Thebarton Theatre, Mumford & Sons returned to an adoring audience who have clearly missed them. Local fans were first treated to their superb live performance less than five months ago when they toured with The Laneway festival. The band’s continued popularity with a crowd ranging from teens to baby boomers is likely thanks to an outstanding debut album in Sigh No More, which has spawned no less than five hit singles.
Supported on this tour by rapidly up-and-coming Aussie act Boy & Bear and hirsute Brooklyn rockers Alberta Cross, the gig presented an impressive line-up that by most musos’ standards was hard to pass up. Despite the air of impatient excitement, both support acts were popular with the well-behaved crowd and attracted respectable numbers. Boy & Bear opened the gig with a high-energy set while Alberta Cross kept the crowd swaying and bobbing with solid blues rock and much polite banter.
As the main act drew close the theatre filled to capacity and the entry of the four Mumford boys was met with screams and applause. Armed with a double bass, two guitars, drums and keyboards, the band delivered on their reputation for a record-perfect live performance. Incorporating cello, accordion, banjo and horns, they crooned their way through almost the entire track listing, impressing again and again with the strength and quality of their individual and a capella vocals.
Invoking particular appreciation were Thistle And Weeds and Roll Away Your Stone, both of which had the crowd in raptures. In a move questioned by some in the audience, the band launched into Little Lion Man half way through the set with lead singer Marcus Mumford noticeably eager to get it out of the way.
Included in the set list were two as yet unreleased tracks. The first of these, Nothing is Written, was immediately embraced by the audience. Continuing the folk rock style of Sigh No More, the song featured their trademark soaring choruses and soulful lyrics. If it is any indication as to the quality of the rest of their follow-up album, it promises to be equally as successful.
The band’s frequent crowd interaction and professions of love for Australia as a “home away from home” hit the spot with their adoring audience. Exiting to a level of foot stomping that threatened the integrity of the Thebbie’s 80-year-old floorboards, they closed an amazing set with a sublime two-song encore featuring a haunting version of After the Storm.
With this gig Mumford & Sons again proved their reputation as a consummate live performers and can leave Adelaide safe in the knowledge they are welcome back anytime.
Nicole Russo
26 June 2010
