CheekyChicago

What is it about British bands and American fans? Chicago is falling fast and hard for London’s latest musical import Mumford & Sons. Anybody lucky enough to have caught the group performing at Hard Rock Hotel’s Belvedere Nights on the last day of Lollapalooza could blatantly see that the four blokes in this indie-folk band are insanely talented.  How many bands can you name who use the banjo as their primary instrument?

Good looks and proper British accents always help to win over American fans. Bone structure and great genes aside though, the members of Mumford & Sons are quite funny. “We only drink Belvedere vodka. We only drink FUZE. So this is working out really well for us,” joked Marcus Mumford (vocals, guitar, drums, mandolin).

Admittedly, at the time I was watching Mumford & Sons play their set, I was only familiar with two of the band’s tunes. “Little Lion Man” is the lead single off the group’s debut album Sigh No More. As expected, the song was reserved for the grand finale. Save the best for last, I suppose.

However, “Little Lion Man” is exactly the type of track that should be performed moments before walking off stage. Take one listen to it and imagine watching the song being played live by four Englishmen right before your eyes. There is a reason why Mumford & Sons received a rousing round of applause accompanied by shouts and hollers emanating from a crowd of fortunate after party attendees who clearly approved of the band’s music and raw talent.

“Awake My Soul” is the second familiar tune off Sigh No More. Unfortunately for me, Mumford & Sons chose not to include the track in their five-song set at the Hard Rock Hotel. The exclusion of “Awake My Soul” gave the guys an opportunity to introduce the crowd to other compositions in their repertoire. “To Darkness” is by far my new favorite and is currently being played over and over again on repeat.

In fact, I have already bought every single track that Mumford & Sons has for sale in the iTunes store. It is safe to say that I am a fan for life and cannot wait until the band returns to Chicago where their gig will surely be sold out within minutes.  I have a feeling that the next time I see Mumford & Sons it will not be in a room at the Hard Rock Hotel where I am one of 150 people. Take my advice and check out the band before they blow up and become untouchable.