Mumford & Sons / The Middle East – House of Blues – 6/10/10
Posted June 15th, 2010 · Artists: Mumford & Sons, The Middle East
The love between crowd and band was on full display as UK’s breakout folk-banjo-rock band Mumford & Sons took to the small stage at House of Blues for their first appearance in Dallas. Anticipation was certainly high, as their stomping, rousing debut album Sigh No More has been getting a ton of attention and their already buzzed about live shows have led them to be quite popular on this tour and to gain quite a few fans here in the States. All of the accolades for these guys are well justified as they turned in one of the more inspiring and foot stomping performances I have seen in Dallas. They blew their way through their debut album with style and fervor, and the crowd was singing and clapping along all the way.
The opening band for this show, The Middle East, has been making some serious waves with their great EP and their great, hushed performances, and especially here in the DFW area where they have been playing in Denton quite a bit (and recording some new material as well I believe) and have already played a few shows here in Dallas all stemming from their debut here back at NX35 in March. They have won fans over with their dramatic, hushed folk songs with great weight and feeling like “Blood” and “The Darkest Side”, which are both absolutely killer songs. Both were fantastic this night as well, and they also dove into a ton of new material from their upcoming full length, which, if this is any indication, will be one hell of a record. They had as many as 8 people on stage, playing all sorts of instruments from the flute and stand up bass to trumpets. It all fits into their extremely passionate folk DIY vibe by including just about everything in there, but each song is so carefully and well constructed that nothing feels unnecessary or tacked on. The songs can often travel along at a whisper and at times blow up into bombastic folk rock outs, such as with “Blood” and one of the other new songs as well. I was extremely impressed with these guys, and they have some amazing songs. Coupled with a truly heartfelt and passionate performance, there is no limit for them. Really looking forward to the new album.
After The Middle East’s truly superb set, the main attraction Mumford & Sons hit the stage. These guys have a record that sounds like a rousing, stomping good time and you would think that their live show would be the same, and you would be right. The band was in fine form tearing through amped up renditions of the songs on their stellar debut. The real amazing thing about their set was the complete adoration of the crowd on the band. The crowd was singing along with almost every single song and even fell into some rousing clapping at several times during the performance. And the crowd cheered at the recognition of almost every song they played and applauded strongly at the conclusion of almost all of them.
Pretty much all of the songs got a pumped-up rendition here live, with the music being basically the same but just an extra boost of energy with the live energy of the band and the crowd working together. They opened with the title track “Sigh No More” and never looked back, delving into standout track “Awake My Soul” right thereafter. “The Cave” was exceptional, and they also played a new song “Lover of the Light” with Marcus Mumford on drums that was a phenomenal track. Much more straightforwardly rocking than their other tunes, but still stomping and still epic. “Little Lion Man” brought a huge response from the crowd and had every going strongly, and “Roll Away Your Stone” was ferociously played with The Middle East joining the band on stage for much stomping and dancing.
This band easily lived up to the heavy buzz that they have received early this year from their debut album and tour. They have some exceptional songs that lend themselves very well to a stomping, festive atmosphere in the live arena and everyone in the crowd and the band seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and everything about the experience. I’m not sure I have seen a Dallas crowd so pumped up for anyone as they were for Mumford. And that was great to see, and the band ate it up.
Mumford & Sons are definitely breaking through with their great live show right now, and this is one to not miss at all if possible. The album is superb and the live show is even better. When there is this much banjo pickin and stomping you know it is just a rousing good time. Additionally, highly anticipating what we will hear next from The Middle East, as they seem primed to really hit us with a stellar album sometime this year/early next year. Both bands were excellent and are highly recommended in every way.
Mumford & Sons – Roll Away Your Stone – From Sigh No More (Amazon, iTunes)
The Middle East – Lonely – From Recordings Of The Middle East (Amazon, iTunes)
