Show Review: Haim And Mumford & Sons

On Saturday night I had the opportunity to attend one of the best shows to come through our area in awhile – Haim opening for Mumford and Sons at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, just across the river from Philly. Mumford & Sons, fresh off their grammy award for best album of the year, put on an incredible live show and I was excited to see them in such a large venue. As for Haim, the sister trio from California who topped the BBC’s list for the sound of 2013, I’ve been talking about them for a year now and it was amazing to finally see them live! Read on for a review of both acts and photos from the show!

haim band

Este, Danielle and Alana Haim, along with their drummer Dash Hutton, took the stage at 8pm and opened with their new single “Falling.” Whenever you see a band live for the first time you wonder how their sound will translate to the stage…well Haim sounded just as amazing live, if not more.  They have the most amazing energy and I was blown away with their talent – these girls can play the guitar and drums… they will rip into an incredible riff and toss their long locks around and leave you speechless and wishing you could be like them.

I was also so impressed with the way they blend their vocals, alternating verses and, on songs like “Falling,” splitting the chorus so one will sing a line, another the next, and so on – so you never really know where to look, their sound just surrounds you. Other highlights were when Alana announced to the crowd that it was Danielle’s birthday and the sisters led the crowd in a rendition of happy birthday, as well as an incredible cover of the old Fleetwood Mac song “Oh Well.” Their set left the crowd with adrenaline pumping and wishing they would play for longer! I can’t wait to see them again at SXSW – if you have a chance to catch these girls live, DO IT.

haim band

haim band

haim band

haim band

haim band

haim band

haim band

haim band

haim band

mumford and sons

The night’s main event was Mumford & Sons, who drew a sold out crowd to the venue (a second night was even added since it sold out so quickly). I have seen Mumford & Sons twice and both times were small venues – once at a small side stage at Bonnaroo and once in Levon Helm’s barn in Woodstock.  They have definitely grown since then and have a massive following, and I was excited to see how their show would expand as well. They came out to a frenzied crowd that sang along with every song, from the opener “Babel” to the closing cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City.” I was reminded of how great their stage presence is, and how their songs seem to take on these soaring, anthemic qualities, especially when they were joined on some songs by a full backing band with horns and strings. As Marcus Mumford told the audience, they came ready for a party, and they delivered just that.

mumford and sons

mumford and sons

mumford and sons

mumford and sons

mumford and sons

mumford and sons

mumford and sons

mumford and sons

mumford and sons

mumford and sons

Photos by Julia.

More indie music from the BLDG 25 Blog!

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Mary
11 years ago

You saw Mumford at Levon Helm’s Barn?! How can anything top that? Was Levon there?

Sara
11 years ago

didn’t the vaccines also play that gig, or was that a different one?