Mumford & Sons Weathers the Storm at Wrigley Field
Article and image by Anna Marquardt
Chicago weather is known for being unpredictable, and stadium shows in the summer are no exception. This was proven on Thursday, June 11, when Mumford & Sons played their full set to a sold-out Wrigley Field, more than four hours after they were scheduled to hit the stage. A severe tornado warning pushed doors from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, scrapping the scheduled performances by openers Caamp and Dylan Gossett for a 10:45 performance from the headlining act. Yet, despite the rain and wind, thousands of fans gathered under the thunderous sky in anticipation of the late-night show at the historic ballpark, eager to see Mumford & Sons.
Rooted in London, England, Mumford & Sons was formed in 2007 by frontman and lead vocalist Marcus Mumford, guitarist Ted Dwane, and pianist Ben Lovett. The crew is currently on the North American leg of their Prizefighter Tour, celebrating Prizefighter, their sixth studio album, which was released on February 20. Known for stompy percussion and plucky banjo, the band has mastered a folk-rock sound that is as resonant in a stadium as in a small room. Against the humid Chicago air, the band put on a high-energy, riveting performance complete with multiple stages, pyrotechnics, and crowd interaction.
The crowd’s disappointment at missing the openers did not go unacknowledged; Mumford & Sons gladly shared the spotlight with Dylan Gossett for a rendition of their song “Here,” and Taylor Meier joined the band later to perform “All the Debts I Owe” by his band, Caamp. Gossett’s distinct, country vocals fit perfectly on the song, which originally features Chris Stapleton, and Meier’s stripped-down interpretation of his song made the stadium feel intimate, with the crowd singing along to the band’s beloved hit. Both guests were met with booming applause, as what began as a frustrating cancellation led to rare, collaborative moments exclusive to Chicago.
Despite the hours-long delay, the band promised to deliver a complete set, wrapping up at nearly 1:00 AM. Their energy, along with the crowd’s excitement, never faltered; the show began with fireworks during the song “Begin Again,” and Mumford sprinted through the packed crowd as he performed the relationship anthem “Ditmas.” The performance culminated with an echoing sing-along of “I Will Wait” and a thunderous performance of “Conversation With My Son (Gangsters & Angels).”
In Thursday night’s test of patience and resilience, Mumford & Sons proved that they will accept any challenge, even a persistent tornado warning and a city curfew. Wrigley Field is famous for never having canceled a concert, and the evening’s delay was not about to put an end to that impressive streak. Clad in rain ponchos, the dedicated Chicago crowd left the stadium satisfied as the band left the stage and headed to the next stop of the Prizefighter Tour.