Mumford & Sons delivered a stunning performance at BST Hyde Park on July 5, 2026, proving they are far more than a nostalgia act. The show, which featured guest appearances from Hozier and Shania Twain, left attendees rethinking the band's legacy.
A band at its peak
Brooke Ivey Johnson, Assistant Entertainment Editor, attended the show with her sister, who used to play the band's debut album Sigh No More on repeat during school drives in 2011. They expected a pleasant nostalgia trip but left wondering why the folk-rock genre ever fell out of fashion.
Before the show, they met two brothers from Sheffield who had seen Mumford & Sons live five times. The brothers were so convinced the band is best experienced live that they bought BST tickets while drunk at a pub. By the end of the night, Johnson understood why.
Voice and performance
Johnson noted that Marcus Mumford's live voice has an extraordinary richness, even better than on record. The full band, including a brilliant brass section, created a communal experience as thousands sang harmonies together. The band seemed genuinely thrilled to be performing, with Marcus grinning at his bandmates and bouncing around the stage.
Hozier joined the band for a duet on Awake My Soul, a collaboration that Johnson described as breathtaking. Later, Shania Twain, fresh from supporting Harry Styles at Wembley Stadium, performed Here before launching into Man! I Feel Like A Woman! Marcus Mumford transformed into an excited fan, bouncing up and down while calling Twain his hero.
Conclusion
Johnson concluded that if you think the time to see Mumford & Sons live was 2012, you're fourteen years too early. The best time to see them is 2026.
