Folk rock legends Mumford & Sons scored a viral moment in 2023, taking to the stage of the New Orleans Jazz Fest to cover one of the most famous New Orleans-based songs in pop history. This stunning cover has already racked up over 3 million views to date!
But before kicking off such a timeless smash hit, lead vocalist Marcus Mumford introduced two special guests to the stage: New Orleans trombonist, Trombone Shorty (a.k.a. Troy Andrews), and multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste, bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Marcus opens the track alone: a sensitive, folksy, and acoustic rendition of The Animals’ 1964 hit, “House Of The Rising Sun,” making fans hoot and holler from the crowd. Trombone Shorty weaves exquisite jazz riffs between Marcus’ super-soft verses; masterfully expressive and soul-churning. But while this song has been covered a thousand times before, we can guarantee that Music Man readers have never heard a cover quite like this!
Where most cover artists would belt The Animals’ lyrics for dramatic, show-stealing effect, Marcus’ pristine sense of balance, swerving between belts and suspense, makes this cover completely unique. It’s a rounded and respectful rendition that explodes at the least likely moments; where radio pop has obliterated dynamics in modern music, these folk/jazz stars take on the hit like true musicians, letting the ebb and flow of sonic drama enchant their live audience more naturally than any Animals cover we’ve heard.
Even Marcus’ pitch-perfect and power-soaked verses can’t steal the show from Trombone Shorty; performing like a new Paganini as he shreds devilish solos on his instrument before looking around, completely unfazed and accidentally hilarious.
Jon Batiste takes on a solo of his own — this time circling around an evocative melodica melody, before Trombone Shorty tries to steal the show again.
But just as the trombonist taps back into his fresh grooves, US guitarist Clarisse shocks the crowd, stepping out on stage in tangerine shades with a blue glittered guitar in her hands, shredding a solo like Slash.
Mumford & Sons have had their fair share of critics over the years, mostly modern pop fans unenthused about their now-rare strain of acoustic folk-pop-rock. However, this mind-blowing clip is destined to reshape some opinions. As one spellbound YouTube viewer expletively commented, “What in the f*** did I just watch?!! This is one of the best live performances I think I’ve ever seen. No smoke. No mirrors. Just good music and talented musicians.”
Mumford & Sons have truly captivated music enthusiasts yet again with this unforgettable performance. Their collaboration with Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste at the New Orleans Jazz Fest has brought a fresh, soulful twist to a beloved classic. If you’re eager to experience more from this incredible fusion of folk and jazz, and to witness the magic of their remarkable cover, be sure to explore the links below.