Two days ago, I went to see Mumford and Sons at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam.
The ticket cost 36 euros, which is not quite expensive, in my opin
ion.
I hadn't been to the Ziggo Dome before, but everything was very clear; you could easily find all the facilities, and the music hall had outstanding acoustics!
The music hall's quite big, but I managed to be in one of the front rows :)

When I arrived, I immediately went to the merchandise stall, because I was quite aware of the fact that almost everybody was going to buy their merchandise after the concert.
But, the merchandise was extremely expensive; shirts cost around 30 euros, and sweaters cost around 60 euros. You could even buy a Mumford and Sons limited edition lighter for 75 euros...

So, as I already said before, I went to the music hall, discovered that it wasn't busy at all (because most of the people went to have a drink before the concert), and had the opportunity to be one of the people in the front row!

After half an hour of waiting, the first support act started playing; Half Moon Run.
Half Moon Run are a Canadian band, and I need to admit that I really, really like their music!
The band played for half an hour, and then you had to wait again for the second support act; the Mystery Jets.
I already liked the Mystery Jets, but after having seen them performing, I started liking them a lot more!

So, the support acts were great, and well chosen.

But I was still waiting for Mumford and Sons, just like every one else in the music hall...
After an hour of waiting, the lights dimmed, and the audience started cheering.
But the stage remained silent! I need to admit I stared to be a bit worried; maybe they wouldn't come at all, and the show might be cancelled..?

But then, suddenly, four shadows came up behind the red Gentlemen of the Road curtain!
Mumford and Sons had finally arrived, and started their spectacular show with their hit "Babel".

The songs they played were very well chosen; they played a lot of songs from their newest album, but also their older songs, like "Little Lion Man", "The Cave","White Blank Page", and "Roll Away Your Stone".
During the concert, there was quite a lot of interaction with the audience, which I really loved!

The show ended with a cover of The Band's "The Weight", which Mumford and Sons performed together with Half Moon Run and the Mystery Jets.
During the song, several instruments had astonishing solos (I really liked Ben Lovett's piano solo, and the violin solo), which I think is really well done.

In the end, I was quite sad that the evening had come to an end...!

So, if you want to go to a concert; don't hesitate, and go to see Mumford and Sons!

Rating: 9.5/10

< The beginning; Babel (not my film)

Here they are!

http://www.mumfordandsons.com/live/

Yeah, finally; their new album "Babel" is out now!

So; here's my review: I really like the album cover- art; it looks very cozy, and really folk- ish.

A few minutes ago, I inserted the CD in my computer, and even before I could walk back to my computer screen, the immense feeling of happiness fulfilled me; they've made another beautiful album.
And I knew this just by listening to the first track, called "Babel".

The first two tracks (Babel and Whispers in the Dark) are actually quite calm, but the third one, I Will Wait, is very bright and happy.

The fourth track is called "Holland Road". I've listened it once on YouTube before the album was out (Mumford and Sons called it "Home" at that moment),and to be honest; there's a big difference between the song they performed live (before the album) and the song on the CD. The difference is actually that big, I didn't even recognize the song! And, I think, it's a shame they changed it so much; I prefer the "live- edition".

The fifth track is very quiet. It's called "Ghosts That We Knew", and is very sad.

Track six, Lover Of The Light,is also very calm, but sounds very bright. A real Mumford and Sons song, very beautiful!

Lovers' Eyes, track seven, is quite nice, but it sounds a bit like the band didn't know what to do with the song; it just doesn't really fit on the album. It's just not very original and a bit boring.

Track eight: Reminder. This one sounds very original again. A bit sad, but so beautiful...!

The next track is "Hopeless Wanderer". I had already heard/seen a live performance of it on YouTube, and this one hasn't really changed. Such an emotional song; beautifully written, and again a real Mumford and Sons song!

Track ten is called Broken Crown, and really sounds like one of their songs on their first album. It sounds really dark and sad.

''Below My Feet" is the next track. Really, the beginning of the song is just perfect!I really like this one!

The last (well, last...) track is called "Not With Haste". I really like the song, because it's got a very good structure.

But; I've got the album with bonus tracks!

So... Bonus track one: For Those Below. The song's very serene, and cozy. I really like the end of the song! (with the violins)

Bonus track two: The Boxer. The song is originally written by Simon and Garfunkel. The description on the album told me Mumford and Sons have recorded the song with Paul Simon himself, very beautiful song; a real classic!

Bonus track three: Where Are You Now. Also very quiet and calm. A bit sad, but well written.

Rating: 9/10

Soon, our British folk- masters will release their second album, called "Babel"! I can't wait!

Link to one of their new songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGKfrgqWcv0