A photograph from the White House archives shows former President Barack Obama, alongside then-UK Prime Minister David Cameron and actor George Clooney, listening intently as the British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons performed during a state dinner on March 14, 2012. The image resurfaced as the band prepares to release their latest album, Prizefighter, and continues a pattern of engagement with political and social issues.
Mumford & Sons, who achieved breakthrough success in 2009 with their debut album Sigh No More, have maintained a consistent presence in cultural and activist circles. Band member Marcus Mumford established the Grenfell Foundation in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, a tragedy that continues to resonate in the UK.
“I’ve always been really hesitant to speak on anyone’s behalf, because I consider that’s been part of the problem historically with Grenfell,” Mumford said in a recent interview. “We basically went around saying ‘how can we be helpful’, not inserting yourself into it, which can be the temptation with this.” He described the community response as a powerful example of resilience, stating, “I think that community was failed by both the market and the state. On a seismic level.”
Nearly a decade after the fire, no prosecutions have been brought forward, a situation Mumford described as “a shame on our system” and “taking too long.” He drew parallels to the ongoing pursuit of justice for the Hillsborough disaster, expressing concern over the protracted legal processes involved in both cases. “The Grenfell community have always seen this as a very long game, and they’ve been incredibly patient, but they are continually let down,” he added.
Mumford’s activism extends to the US criminal justice system. He regularly conducts poetry workshops in prisons, and his song “Alley Cat” originated from one such session. “I believe in grace, I believe in mercy, I believe in responsibility, choices, consequences, of course,” Mumford stated, articulating his approach to criminal justice reform. “But at the same time I just don’t think we have enough grace for each other.”
Recent events, including the shooting of Alex Pretti by US immigration agents in Minneapolis, have further galvanized the band’s political engagement. Mumford expressed distress over the incident, stating, “I cried watching the news yesterday after what looked like the execution of Alex Pretti.” He also noted that their song “White Blank Page” has been used in videos protesting ICE actions, a development he welcomed.
“I think it’s an absolute disgrace what ICE is doing in the States and not reflective of what we know to be the values of most Americans we’ve ever come across,” Mumford said. “We’ve travelled America more than most of my American friends ever have. We just see the value of the humans that we meet there, across the board.”
The band’s trajectory reflects a broader shift in the cultural landscape. Mumford recalled the early days of their success, alongside artists like Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale, when community and word-of-mouth were crucial for discovery. He contrasted this with the current environment, where they now collaborate with figures like director Emerald Fennell, whose work with Carey Mulligan (Mumford’s wife) on the film Promising Young Woman earned both Oscar nominations.
Mumford & Sons are scheduled to perform at British Summer Time in London’s Hyde Park on July 4th. The event features a “golden circle” ticket option, a practice Dwane, another band member, expressed some discomfort with, noting the disconnect it creates between the band and the audience.
“Some people come to a Mumford & Sons gig and think it’s going to be tops off, pints thrown, like some sort of Pogues gig from the late ’80s,” Dwane said. “And some people come and their favourite songs are the more quiet, intimate moments. And they come for almost a meditative, acoustic experience.”
