The Musical Journey of Mumford & Sons - Folk Rock Band's Humble Origins to Arena Stardom

The Rise of Mumford & Sons

In the late 2000s, a new wave of melodic, emotion-filled folk rock burst onto the music scene in the form of London-based band Mumford & Sons. Propelled by their breakout hit "Little Lion Man" off their 2009 debut album Sigh No More, Mumford & Sons quickly rose from small London pub gigs to headlining massive festivals around the world.

So how did these four lads from London with only acoustic guitars, a banjo and a double bass become one of the biggest folk rock bands in recent memory? Let's take a look at the origins and musical evolution of Mumford & Sons.

Humble Beginnings

Mumford & Sons consists of Marcus Mumford (guitar, vocals), Winston Marshall (banjo, dobro), Ben Lovett (keyboards), and Ted Dwane (string bass). Prior to forming Mumford & Sons, the band members played in various other folk and rock projects around London's pub and small venue circuit.

In 2007, Marcus Mumford and Lovett began casually playing music together and invited Marshall to join in. The trio then enlisted Ted Dwane and officially formed Mumford & Sons. After playing a few gigs and recording some demo tracks, the band released an EP called Love Your Ground in 2008.

Breakout Success with "Sigh No More"

In October 2009, Mumford & Sons released their full-length debut Sigh No More, which peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and was eventually certified five times platinum. Propelled by singles like "Little Lion Man," "The Cave" and "Winter Winds," the album earned the band international recognition and a Brit Award for Best British Album in 2011.

By mid 2010, Mumford & Sons had already achieved headlining status at some of Europe's major music festivals. The band then embarked on a North American tour, steadily building up their live audiences along the way. Their reputation as an incredible live act was cemented by their now iconic performance on the Railroad Revival Tour with Old Crow Medicine Show and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes.

Mainstream Success with "Babel"

Riding high on their breakthrough success, Mumford & Sons returned to the studio in 2011 to begin working on their second album. Babel was released in September 2012 and debuted at number one on both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200.

Musically, Babel expanded on the band's rustic folk rock style with the addition of some more electric and rock-driven sounds. Singles like "I Will Wait" and "Lover of the Light" helped propel the album's massive mainstream success.

Babel ended up winning Album of the Year at the 2013 Grammy Awards and became one of the fastest selling albums in both UK and US chart history. By this point, Mumford & Sons had evolved into full-fledged arena headliners and one of the top folk rock bands in the world.

Hiatus and Return with "Wilder Mind"

After two years of nonstop touring behind Babel, Mumford & Sons announced they would be taking a break in 2013. Band members used the hiatus to pursue various side projects and collaborations before reuniting to begin work on their third album Wilder Mind.

Released in May 2015, Wilder Mind marked a significant musical shift for the band. Accoustic instruments took a back seat to electric guitars and a much more rock-driven sound. Lead single "Believe" and tracks like "The Wolf" showcased the band's new musical direction and energy.

While some fans were unsure about Mumford & Sons' drastic change in sound, Wilder Mind still reached number one in multiple countries and charted well. Extensive touring continued over the next couple years as the band further established their edgier, rock-centric new identity.

Continuing the Musical Journey

After another short break, Mumford & Sons returned in late 2018 with the lead single "Guiding Light" off their fourth studio album Delta. The album expanded on the band's rock-driven evolution while also incorporating elements of folk, pop, country and electronic music.

Delta arrived in November 2018 and peaked at number one in several countries, proving the band's continued ability to draw audiences into their musical journey. Mumford & Sons remain one of the most successful folk rock bands to emerge in the past decade.

From humble pub gigs to explosive arena shows, Mumford & Sons have always maintained their raw passion and connection to the audience. Their tales of love, life and loss, delivered through poetic lyrics and cathartic anthems, will no doubt continue inspiring fans for years to come.

FAQs

How did Mumford & Sons get started?

Marcus Mumford and Ben Lovett began playing music together in London in 2007. They later added Winston Marshall and Ted Dwane to form the band Mumford & Sons.

What was Mumford & Sons' debut album?

Mumford & Sons released their first album Sigh No More in 2009, which featured the hit single "Little Lion Man" and launched them to fame.

When did Mumford & Sons win a Grammy?

Their second album Babel won Album of the Year at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

Why did Mumford & Sons take a hiatus?

After two years of constant touring behind their album Babel, the band took a break starting in 2013 to pursue side projects.

How did Mumford & Sons' sound change over time?

Their early albums featured acoustic folk while their later albums like Wilder Mind showcased more electric rock sounds.