Mumford and Sons Make March Feel A Little Warmer in Ottawa

Winter travel is hard.

Winter can be cold, cumbersome, and complicated. March is an ugly month for distance travelling to concerts. So when a reviewer signs up to cover an event, the hope is that the experience will be well worth the effort.

There is no better way to describe Mumford and Sons’ recent performance in Ottawa at the Canadian Tire Centre than as just that…an experience that was well worth the effort!

Admittedly, a bias exists in my mind already. This was, in fact, my fourth time seeing the English “gentlemen of the road,” and they seldom, if ever disappoint. Tuesday’s program was no exception.

Hungry millennials filled the arena bowl, clapping and stomping vigorously to such modern hits as “Little Lion Man,” “The Cave” (a personal favourite of mine), and “Roll Away Your Stone.” The enthusiasm of the audience was complimented directly by the tremendous effort, humour and proven talent of the tandem group, performing on a stage designed to provide everyone in the audience a personal showcase.

As someone who has seen the Grammy-award winning, alternative-folk stars perform in front of numerous sold-out crowds of festival-goers and arena rock fans, I am always searching for a reason to keep coming back. Their 2009 blockbuster debut “Sigh No More,” was not only critically acclaimed, but was considered by many to be the blueprint for modern music. Their 2012 follow-up album “Babel,” produced one of their most notable commercial hits in “I Will Wait” (Tuesday’s confetti-filled finale) and struck similar chords of success with a demographic hungry for more of their pop-folk anthem renaissance.

2015’s “Wilder Minds” was a decidedly different album for a band that was spreading their wings and exercising their artistic muscles. Gone were the beloved banjos and horn sections that had helped to differentiate their era of sound and provide nostalgia, They were instead replaced by a more contemporary Coldplay-like, alternative radio sound that (while produced well and hook-driven) left many admirers of the band feeling deflated. Their sound was still crisp, and hit songs like “Believe” were still substantial commercial successes, but everything that separated them from other contemporary arena bands had seemingly been white-washed away by a more trusted formula for success.

2016’s “Johannesburg” EP was yet another unique departure for the band, who toured with that record while simultaneously touring with “Wilder Minds.” That tour was no less impressive sonically, but it still had me wondering if there was anything left for me to chew on, making the release of 2018’s “Delta” feel less anticipated.

“Delta” went a long way to restoring my faith and interest in a band that I have likely damaged my vocal cords singing along to a long time ago. The thoughtful lyrical delivery, extensive song lengths, and powerful musicality molds and meshes everything that I loved about “Babel” with their more modern stylings of “Wilder Minds.” The album is virtuous while also personal. It is at points equally heavy and melancholic. Recognizing that Mumford are a blockbuster marquee-calibre act that met success very early in their song tenure, I was excited to see how these dabblings and transformations would compliment their performance.

Mumford And Sons brought a more intricate stage show to Ottawa this time. A production-value increase that included pyrotechnics, full orchestration, lazer lights, and even a couple of stripped-down singalongs around a single microphone (a throwback to an image and sound that first brought them to the dance). Coupling their immense performance value with a vast catalogue of modern classic hits, the band could not have disappointed. Songs like their new album’s title track (“Delta”) fit right into the consortium of stories.

With a few subtle nods to Canada, hockey and even Shania Twain, the band made us laugh and warmed our hearts on a cold night. The Canadian Tire Centre felt like home last Tuesday, complete with a jovial audience with loud voices and worn out shoe soles (from stomping their feet to their favourite band).

Opening act, Cat Power, seemed to leave the audience feeling excited. I hear good things, and their reputation continues to precede them. I can’t say for sure because March weather travel and a very packed parking lot prevented me from giving them my full attention. But if the crowd’s reaction to Mumford’s acknowledgment of them is any indication, everyone got their money’s worth.

For more dates and information visit www.mumfordandsons.com

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