Mumford & Sons + Portugal. The Man @ BC Place – August 7th 2019

British band Mumford & Sons performed at BC Place in Vancouver, BC on Wednesday as part of their Delta Tour, with help from opening act Portugal. The Man.

The American rockers of Portugal. The Man started their set by having a member of the Squamish First Nations community out on stage to bless the land and speak about their community. It was a thoughtful moment, one that the music group tries to facilitate at every show they perform at.

Their set was rock solid. A perfect effort of high-end instrumental talent cohesively blended together to create ethereal harmonies capped by toe-tappable riffs.

Though the venue was not quite full during their set, many of those that were in attendance rose from their seats and started clapping and swaying along.

I have seen PTM mature over the years. They are getting exponentially better with age.

After a short break, lead singer Marcus Mumford and team stepped out before the audience.

The stadium erupted with excitement and applause as the band grabbed their instruments and began the night with “42” from their latest album, 2018’s Delta.

Marcus walked out, down the catwalk extending perpendicular from the main stage and took up residency at a simple single-drum set up for the entirety of the song.

This band takes a lot of flack from those that don’t appreciate their style but there is no stepping on their talent. Each member is a master of their instrument; Ben Lovett on piano, Winston Marchall on guitar, and Ted Dwane on bass. Watching them intertwine their contributions, playing off one another, accentuating the individual while bettering the whole.

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Each song was exciting. The band is still hungry, working hard to perform with every bit of themselves. Nothing is half-assed or phoned in. They didn’t rely on gimmicks or a huge production, they let their music be the showcase. A proud bunch of musicians that believe in what they can do, truly wonderful to witness.

The show left a pleasant feeling in the air. As it wrapped up, there was no rush by the patrons to exit the stadium. People took their time and chatted and smiled and slowly vacated the building. The Mumford & Sons left everyone in good spirits….they were our guiding light (sorry not sorry).

Thank you to both bands and their crews behind the scenes for a stellar evening of music. Until we meet again.

Mumford & Sons setlist
42
Little Lion Man
Babel
Beloved
White Blank Page
Lover of the Light
Tompkins Square Park
Believe
Rose of Sharon
Ditmas
The Cave
Slip Away
Picture You
Darkness Visible
The Wolf

Encore:
Wild Heart (acoustic around one mic)
Forever (acoustic around one mic)
Awake My Soul
Hurt (Nine Inch Nails cover)
Guiding Light
I Will Wait
Delta

Photos © Jamie Taylor // Cryptic Photography