Mumford & Sons
12th January 2019
Western Springs Outer Fields, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Chris Zwaagdyk.
It may have been called the ‘Gentlemen of the Road’ show but it was the ladies who began the mini-festival of music off in style on a stunning sun filled afternoon in Auckland yesterday.
Late edition to the bill New Zealand’s own Hollie Fullbrook of Tiny Ruins entertained the early arrivals before Melbourne based singer Angie McMahon (formally of The Fabric) took over the reins serenading all with her own unique brand of folk and alt-rock fusion.
With two more artists to feature before Mumford and Sons were due on stage the early evening was shaping up to be rather spectacular, thousands of punters taking the opportunity to explore the sprawling venue and its varied selection of food and drink before settling in for the rest of the night.
The sweet vocals of English soul singer Michael Kiwanuka were soon being carried across the lush green fields of Western Springs, his songs seemingly becoming as one with the picturesque view of the trees and brightly coloured flags gently fluttering in the breeze that ringed the venue. Having supported Adele back in 2011, Kiwanuka has since released two studio albums, his second Love & Hate reaching the coveted number one position in the UK charts while simultaneously receiving high praise from the critics. Listening to Kiwanuka live it is easy to see why, songs such as ‘Home Again’ caressing the senses, his beautifully soulful voice infiltrating the mind. While only a short set, it left a lasting impression, one that would be sure to see him welcomed back to our shores with open arms.
Leon Bridges came to impress and impress he did. Surrounded by a full band the American singer songwriter from Fort Worth, Texas soon had the entire crowd dancing. Dressed in a decidedly 90’s style outfit that he made work oh so well Bridges kicked off his set with ‘If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be)’, the fast-paced tempo sparking through the venue like electricity.
Releasing his latest album ‘Good Thing’ last year, there is a magnetism to Bridges that draws people in; taking his set through a mix of both the sultry and the soulful, tracks such as ‘Shy’ saw numerous couples in the audience get just that little bit closer while ‘Better Man’ from his first album Coming Home was like stepping back in time to the days of Ray Charles. Telling the audience, they looked both “fine and fly” it was obvious that Bridges was also thoroughly enjoying his time on stage, the last warm rays of the sun still peeking through between the branches. Taking it all the way down, Bridges finished his outstanding set with a superlative duet, his backing singer Brittni Jessie joining him at the front of stage for the heart-wrenching ‘River’.
Darkness had just befallen Western Springs as the much-anticipated headliners of the evening Mumford and Sons took the stage; last here in 2015 where they delivered a stellar performance at Spark Arena, last night’s show was in support of their latest album entitled Delta.
While their set began with a taste of the new in the form of ‘42’, the boys soon pulled out the big guns in quick succession, the wildly popular ‘Little Lion Man’ seeing the members play at the end of a long runway that jutted out into the heart of the audience; joined by thousands of voices it made for an exhilarating experience. Returning to the main stage fan favourite ‘Lover of the Light’ was beyond uplifting (if for some reason you haven’t, the official music video featuring none other than Idris Elba is a must watch) the instrumental bridge saturating the air and seeing the audience give over both their hearts and voices.
Formed in 2007 the London based band have amassed a worldwide following, and much of this – it cannot be denied – is down to the vocal dexterity of lead singer Marcus Mumford. Charismatic with an underlying cheek, he is often the focal point of any set, framed by three just as talented musicians. Bulking out their numbers with additional touring members, their sound was rich with layers, banjo, fiddle and double bass melding together as one symphony of mouth-watering sound. Winston Marshall wields the infamous banjo, it’s notes dancing a jig throughout certain tracks with a spiritual lightness; Mumford himself often playing off against it on interchanging acoustic and electric guitar…and at one point even the drums, Mumford jumping behind the kit while still executing his lyrics effortlessly.
Mid-way through the set, just as he began to play the opening notes of ‘The Cave’ Mumford spotted people riding an amusement ride in the distance; feigning disbelief that people would rather ride the Scream Machine then watch the show he declared “This is a hit you know” before bursting into laughter, the crowd joining in with his mirth. Moments later the band almost lost Mumford altogether as he decided to do a round trip of the audience on foot during ‘Ditmas’, the song ending before he had a chance to get back to stage; Mumford however looking pleased with his efforts as he declared that he met many lovely people on his travels.
An encore saw not one or two, but four additional tracks played to the enthusiastic audience, ‘Awake’ folding into an impassioned version of ‘Home’ which saw the members bathed in red as Mumford courted the fans with his velvet lined words, demonstrating just how dextrous his voice truly is. But they couldn’t have an encore without a damn good foot-stomp, ‘I Will Wait’ once again seeing the crowd bounce as one before Mumford and Sons farewelled them all with the title track of their latest offering.
Promising to return, thousands of fans will certainly be hoping it’s sooner rather than later.
Were you there at Western Springs for this beautiful mini festival? Or have you seen Mumford & Sons perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- 42
- Little Lion Man
- Babel
- Lover Of The Light
- Guiding Light
- Tompkins Square Park
- Believe
- Picture You
- Ghosts That We Know
- The Cave
- Roll Away Your Stone
- Ditmas
- Slip Away
- The Wolf
- Awake My Soul [encore]
- Home [encore]
- I Will Wait [encore]
- Delta [encore]
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