Mumford & Sons at Canadian Tire Centre (2019) Photo Credit: Matthew Perry
Mumford and Sons played live at the Canadian Tire Centre with the support of Cat Power on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Let’s hear a round of applause for a major artist that didn’t skip Ottawa.The night began with Cat Power, who played to a scarcely filled arena. Like any good performer, she didn’t seem to care and delivered a strong set with her interesting brand of vocals. In a smaller venue, her voice would have been infinitely more captivating. The distance between her and the audience hurt the performance. Nonetheless, she and her band showed up, delivered, and played well. I guarantee you’ve seen worse opening acts.
Cat Power at Canadian Tire Centre (2019) Photo Credit: Matthew Perry
Like most shows, the headlining act walking on stage was enough to set the audience into an amalgamation of cheers, claps, and screams. Unlike most shows, the noise didn’t settle and the crowd didn’t stop cheering from the mere presence of Mumford and Sons until near the end of their opening tune, “42” off their latest album Delta. The band proceeded to hit the CTC with a “Guiding Light” “Little Lion Man” one-two punch. The striking musicianship of the group was evident throughout the show, and their connection with the crowd was palpable.
Frontman Marcus Mumford reminded us that the last time they were here in June 2016, they had three albums, and now they have four. The band proceeded to play what was, in my opinion, the best moment of the night. They performed, “Woman” off Delta – a perfect example of a song that is better live than on the record.
Mumford & Sons at Canadian Tire Centre (2019) Photo Credit: Matthew Perry
In terms of evolving and the pursuit of a ‘modern’ sound, they were totally on point. All their new material was played passionately and moved the audience. Another example was “Picture You,” played with the same vibe as “Woman.” Mumford told the audience that recording the new album was the most fun they’ve had creatively in the studio, and the evidence was in the performance.
Anything from the British group’s earlier material was also well-received and for the most part, executed to perfection. The crowd was fully onboard with the singalong choruses and “oh, oh-oh’s.” The band’s performance of “The Cave” off Sigh No More, the album that propelled them to stardom, didn’t live up to the excellence of the song despite singing a snippet of Neil Young‘s “Dance, Dance, Dance” before starting. During the actual song the guitar was nearly silent under the vocals. This was the one downside of the entire show, but the crowd was unbothered and ready for more.
Mumford & Sons at Canadian Tire Centre (2019) Photo Credit: Matthew Perry
Aside from some pyrotechnics in the last part of the main set and the encore, there was little else extra happening in terms of stage antics. No rising platforms, excessive lights, or gimmicks, just a stage in the middle of the floor with the audience all around them. This was, of course, by design to create an intimacy that I assume would reflect their early shows. To start the encore, they performed acoustically around one microphone and honed in the atmosphere. Mumford asked the crowd to be quiet for this one song, and naturally, this was taken as an invite to a few alcohol-infused screams.
A fun side note, Mumford gave a shout to the Senators and was met with a flurry of booing and other negative noises to which the lead singer exclaimed, “Interesting!” I’m sure he is usually met with a ton of cheers when inserting the home team into his banter. He then informed us he supports AFC Wimbledon and mentioned with some certainty that nobody would know who that was. I got you, Marcus – AFC Wimbledon are a soccer team that plays in the third tier of English football, called League One. Nailed it.
Mumford and Sons are excellent musicians, and that’s no surprise to anyone who is a fan of the group; however, I believe if you aren’t a fan of Mumford and Sons or even indifferent, you should check them out live as soon as humanly possible. Buy a ticket and get on the bus, because they’ll change your mind.
Written by Mike Milito
Photography by Matthew Perry
Additional Photos
Mumford & Sons at Canadian Tire Centre (2019) Photo Credit: Matthew Perry
Mumford & Sons at Canadian Tire Centre (2019) Photo Credit: Matthew Perry
Mumford & Sons at Canadian Tire Centre (2019) Photo Credit: Matthew Perry
Mumford & Sons at Canadian Tire Centre (2019) Photo Credit: Matthew Perry