Attendees of the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Sunday, October 8, were treated to an unexpected and delightful surprise during Mumford & Sons’ headline performance. The renowned band from London took the opportunity to showcase their latest musical creation, a captivating composition entitled “Maybe”.
We’ve never headlined a festival three times, and @aclfestival, we still can’t get enough.
Thank you Austin High and Huston-Tillotson concert choir for sharing your talent and joy with us. The future of Austin is in fine, fine hands. pic.twitter.com/6VKCQKQyoy
— Mumford & Sons (@MumfordAndSons) October 10, 2023
Adding to the excitement, the band welcomed surprise guest Noah Kahan to join them on stage. This remarkable performance was reported by The Austin-American Statesman, leaving fans in awe of the band’s talent and spontaneity.
Mumford & Sons is widely recognized as a folk rock band, known for their unique blend of bluegrass and folk instrumentation. Their music prominently uses acoustic guitar, banjo, piano, and double bass, all played with a rhythmic style that draws influences from alternative rock and folk genres.
In 2009, Mumford & Sons signed a deal with Island Records, marking a significant milestone in their career. The release of their single “Little Lion Man” that same year propelled them to new heights, quickly climbing the charts. This success was further solidified with the release of their debut studio album, Sigh No More. The album sold over a million copies in the United Kingdom.
Throughout their musical journey, Mumford & Sons have achieved numerous accolades and awards. Notably, Sigh No More earned the band the prestigious Brit Award for Best British Album in 2011, as well as a nomination for the esteemed Mercury Prize. Additionally, the band received six Grammy Award nominations, further cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Their live performance at the 2011 Grammy ceremony alongside Bob Dylan and The Avett Brothers proved to be a pivotal moment, catapulting them into even greater popularity.
During the performance, the lead vocalist Marcus Mumford and Kahan exchanged vocals on a simplified ballad, with Mumford providing additional support on the electric guitar. Here are some of the lyrics they sang, “Maybe I’m halfway out the door, this wasn’t what I was expecting, maybe I’m spoiled, maybe I’m getting old, maybe I indulged too much before. This wasn’t what I was expecting.” before both artists harmonized together, “Will you stop your screamin’ just for a second, I really don’t care what you think, But I care how you feel. And I want to be there and in your arms, just sit here together for a time. Let’s watch the world go ’round, let’s watch the tykes with the light in their eyes.”
Mumford & Sons’ highly anticipated release of “Maybe” marks their first single since 2020, following the success of their fourth and latest studio album, Delta, which was released in 2018. Kahan proves to be a good debut match for Mumford and Sons with his musical repertoire encompassing 21st-century folk compositions. Lead vocalist Marcus Mumford had previously hinted at the band’s commencement of work on a new album in November of last year and had this to say, “I’ve got a bunch that are kind of ready to go. And then we’ll make a record, and tour it, and get to do what we love.”
