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Mumford and Sons December tour

As they embark on their latest tour, Mumford and Sons tickets are selling fast on sites such as StubHub. In this article, we'll take a look at the history of the band and how they have risen to indie rock stardom.
Formed in 2007 by musician Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, and Ted Dwane, Mumford & Sons have been compared to artists like Noah and the Whale, Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling – combining a folk sound with engaging guitar (and banjo) riffs. Marcus Mumford, a multi-instrumentalist, previously played drums for Laura Marling, but is highly capable in guitar, keyboard, bass guitar and more unusual instruments such as, banjo, mandolin and the resonator guitar.

The band’s name was based on Marcus’ surname because he had been the most prominent band member during the band’s early days, spending his time organising local performances.  The band’s name is reminiscent of antiquated businesses from the past – a hark towards the band’s retro sound.

A year after the band formed, performing locally in and around west London, Mumford & Sons caught the attention of Adam Tudhope – a music manager from ‘Everybody’s’, and representative for the likes of Keane and Laura Marling.  Adam introduced the band to Louis Bloom of A&R as Island Records – who initially did not feel the band was ready for a label deal.  However Bloom followed the band, frequently attending their performances which were steadily increasing in size.  Recently Bloom said on Mumford & Sons humble beginnings: "There was no one there for it [the gigs], just a few friends, and they needed time to develop. Over the next six months I kept going to see them and they were literally picking up fans every time."

During the spring of 2008, Mumford & Sons completed an extensive UK tour culminating in the band's first appearance at the Glastonbury Festival in June.  Marcus Mumford went on to tour with former band-mate, Laura Marling, in Australia.  Marling’s musical focus, and lack of audience interaction persuaded Mumford centre-stage, helping him gain experience in building audience-rapport.  Mumford & Sons, drawing on Mumford’s Australian tour experience, are now highly capable at creating a casual and interactive atmosphere during their performances.

Mumford & Sons self-financed the recording of an EP, ‘Love Your Ground’, and eventually went on to performing in small and medium sized venues across the UK and US to build their following – with the aim of gaining enough fan support to justify an album.  By mid-2009 the band had released their debut album, ‘Sign No More’ in the UK – and in the US by the following spring.  The album was hugely successful, reaching number one in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand and peaking at number two in the UK Album Charts.

Throughout 2010, Mumford & Sons continued to develop and grow, performing to larger audiences.  By the end of the year, the band had received two Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Rock Song and enjoyed their first major TV performance appearance, performing live during the award ceremony.

Following various other awards throughout 2011 and into 2012, the band’s second studio album, ‘Babel’, was released in September 2012, debuting at number one in the UK and US charts. In the UK, ‘Babel’, became the fastest selling album of the year. The success of this album has prompted a UK and Ireland tour, with the following tour dates.

December 4th 2012 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle Upon Tyne

December 5th 2012 – SECC, Glasgow

December 7th 2012 – LG Arena, Birmingham

December 10th 2012 – Manchester Arena, Manchester

December 11th 2012 – O2, London

December 13th 2012 – Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

December 15th 2012 – Odyssey Arena, Belfast

December 16th 2012 – The O2, Dublin, Ireland