This is the first of a 30-part series entitled “Sea.Hear.Now Artist Previews” — check out the other ones here, and the rest of our Sea.Hear.Now 2026 coverage here.
Overview
Few bands defined the early 2010s quite like Mumford & Sons. Blending folk instrumentation with huge arena-sized energy — similar to what we saw with Noah Kahan in 2024 — the British group will perform a set with huge singalongs and crowd participation. The band has become a perfect fit for a setting like Sea.Hear.Now.
Even years removed from their peak radio dominance, Mumford & Sons remain one of the most reliable live acts in the world. There’s a reason Sea.Hear.Now’s partner festival, Austin City Limits, features a version of Mumford & Sons seemingly every year.
Songs to Know
“I Will Wait” — The band’s biggest anthem.
“Little Lion Man” — Breakthrough hit that gained huge radio attention.
“The Cave” — Grammy-winning track with one of their most iconic buildups.
Mumford & Son’s Story
Mumford & Sons formed in London in the late 2000s, emerging at a time when indie rock was beginning to splinter into new directions. While many bands leaned into synths and garage revival sounds, Mumford went the opposite way, embracing folk traditions. Their 2009 debut, “Sigh No More,” was a slow-burn success that eventually exploded.
By the time “Babel” arrived in 2012, the band had already become a huge worldwide act. The album debuted at No. 1, won the Grammy for Album of the Year, and cemented their place as leaders of the folk-rock revival. Songs like “I Will Wait” would eventually define the band’s career.
Instead of staying in that lane, however, Mumford & Sons pivoted with their 2015 record, “Wilder Mind,” which stripped away from the banjo-driven identity that made them famous. Mumford instead leaned into electric guitars and a more traditional rock sound. It was a risk that divided fans but proved the band wasn’t interested in becoming a caricature of themselves. That evolution continued through their 2018 album, “Delta,” which pushed further into experimental territory.
In recent years, the band has faced internal changes, including the departure of banjoist Winston Marshall, a key part of their original sound. Yet even with that shift, Mumford & Sons have remained relevant due to their ability to adapt while still delivering the nostalgic sound that drew fans in to begin with.
Garden State Connection
Mumford & Sons have had a strong relationship with the tri-state area, regularly playing major venues like Madison Square Garden. They’ve also made memorable stops at regional festivals and outdoor venues, where their sound tends to resonate the most.
The band last played in New Jersey, though, in 2017 at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden. This will be the band’s first Garden State show in nine years.
NJ Music Festivals 