Wednesday 7th October 2009 @ Moles Club, Bath
With Support From: Pete Roe

With an album out on Monday to the cheer of a mighty ho-down barn dance and sell out tours across the land, I think it is fair to say that Mumford and Sons may be on track for the big lettered, glitter infused words of “MASSIVE FAME”. I don’t think that is necessarily what they’re chasing for however. They’ve spent years mincing about on tours, helping other folk lovelies such as Laura Marling, and generally building a very dedicated and loyal following. As opposed to scampering off after every gig, leaving the devoted selling their t-shirts and albums, you could find them smoking rollies with their enamoured music lovers. A while back I myself enjoyed a chat in the cold, and friendly fellows they are indeed; sweet charmers.

A characteristic backed up perhaps by many of their lyrics, from which I would say that a certain Mumford has been a bit of scamp with the ladies in the past, in that impossibly attractive/annoying deep-thinking manner. Unable to commit, using metaphors and heart wrenching thumping notes, joyfully and equally puzzlingly, there is huge surge of empathy for the love-torn chap in question. Happy you are for the apparent sense of feeling, and the vision of Mumford and Co dressed in their 17th century attire under a tree with anguish in their eyes, but still you question - what makes them so damn special?

Well, you could ask the exceptionally forceful girls telling everyone to ‘Shut the f*@k up!’ throughout the gig at Moles, so they could mouth the words to their satisfaction. Or you could ask the marvellous support acts, namely Pete Roe, a country artful dodger with a caramel voice and “priceless” sound help. Or indeed the t-shirt seller (aha they have one now), dancing woodland folk creatures, or the closed eyed fans at the back. All of them would say they hit you hard with passion; for the emotion itself and for all that it brings. Looping hearts and the magnificent adrenaline, depression, self reflection and despair – all cubed into the shape of a song.

Their new tracks involve more electric guitar, but they have maintained their individual Mumford sound, through their delicate to thumping use of the piano, acoustic guitar and double bass, not to mention the growling voice of Marcus Mumford. They threw themselves in the sold out Bath gig with pure gusto and Texan belts. They may be part of a record label but the sweat from strumming, straining and singing whips out that hair product in a flash. The music is what counts and the music is what they are in it for, and it’s grand!

www.mumfordandsons.com

Helen Martin