MUMFORD & SONS // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
Mumford & Sons – Folk fire, flying tempos, and a Glasgow crowd in full roar.
⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)
Mumford & Sons at The OVO Hydro Glasgow. Photo credit: Kendall Wilson
Mumford & Sons’ Glasgow show was a night that blended Americana charm, folk-rock power, and the joyful chaos that only a stadium full of fans fully committed to having a good time can create.
Before the band even appeared, the crowd was treated to an exceptional opening set from American roots singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell, fresh off Grammy wins for her album Trail of Flowers. For many in the room, including myself, this was a first introduction to Ferrell — and what an introduction it was.
Walking onstage in a dress that looked as though it contained built-in hula-hoops, spinning and swaying with her as she moved, Ferrell immediately commanded attention. Her sound — an enchanting blend of bluegrass, country, jazz, and old-time Americana — felt both timeless and completely fresh. Her set was charming, vibrant, and at times surprisingly cheeky. “Dolla Bill Bar,” her playful, slightly defiant little “screw you” anthem, was a clear standout. “American Dreaming” and “I Could Drive You Crazy,” both from Trail of Flowers, showcased the richness of her voice and the energy of her band. By the end of her set, Ferrell had won over a substantial portion of the Glasgow crowd, leaving the room buzzing, warmed up, and ready.
When Mumford & Sons took the stage, they launched straight into “Run Together,” though the opening felt oddly rushed — almost as if someone had bumped the tempo up to 1.25x speed. The band has always played with pace and intensity, but here it felt like they were cramming early momentum into every bar, determined to cover as much musical ground as possible. Fortunately, from the second track onward, things settled into that familiar Mumford rhythm: driving, emotive, expansive.
The main set moved confidently through fan favourites including “Babel,” “Hopeless Wanderer,” and “Little Lion Man,” with the Glasgow crowd singing along at full force. Midway through the show, the band pulled off one of the night’s most memorable moments by suddenly appearing on a second small stage located at the back of the standing section. Marcus Mumford quite literally ran through the audience — at points pushed and steered by security — creating a kind of travelling mosh pit as he urged fans to jump, shout, and celebrate. For a band capable of filling arenas, this spontaneous sprint through the crowd created the intimacy of a pub gig, all while thousands roared around him.
The B-stage set provided a beautiful shift in tone. With stripped-back arrangements of “Ghosts That We Knew,” “Feel the Tide,” and a tender cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer,” the band reminded everyone of their folk roots and their skill for emotional understatement.
Returning to the main stage, Mumford & Sons reignited the energy with “The Cave,” “Roll Away Your Stone,” and “The Wolf,” accompanied by bursts of pyro that lit the arena. At one point, Marcus paused to acknowledge Scotland footballer Scott McTominay, prompting a jubilant chant from the crowd — a moment of pure Glasgow pride woven into the night’s celebrations.
Families danced together, kids rolled their eyes at their dads’ moves, and the band closed the night with a powerful encore including “Timshel” (preceded by a heartfelt crowd rendition of “Flower of Scotland”), “Awake My Soul,” and a moving performance of “I Will Wait.” The evening ended on “Conversation With My Son (Gangsters & Angels),” a quiet, reflective finish after a night of thunderous highs.
Mumford & Sons delivered a show that was chaotic, heartfelt, high-energy, and unmistakably theirs — and thanks to Sierra Ferrell’s outstanding support set, it was a night rich in musical character from start to finish.
REVIEW BY: KATRIN LAMONT
PHOTOS BY: KENDALL WILSON