Seventeen years after their first session at the legendary Maida Vale Studios, Grammy-winning band Mumford & Sons made a triumphant return today for Radio 2’s Piano Room Month. Joining Vernon Kay and the BBC Concert Orchestra, the group delivered a poignant set that bridged their folk-rock roots with a high-profile contemporary collaboration.
A Full-Circle Performance
The band’s three-song set featured the fan-favorite classic "The Cave" and their latest release, "The Banjo Song." However, the undisputed highlight was a stripped-back cover of Taylor Swift’s "cowboy like me," from her 2020 album evermore.
The choice of cover was deeply personal; Marcus Mumford famously provided backing vocals on the original track, which was recorded at the band’s own studio. Reflecting on the song during the live broadcast, Marcus told Vernon Kay, “This is one of my favorite songs ever, actually.”
Collaborating with the Best
Despite their global success and years on the road, the band admitted to a few pre-show nerves about performing alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra. “We are stoked... we have rarely had the opportunity to collaborate with any orchestra, and this is one of the best in the world,” the band shared. “It really is an honor.”
The performance comes at a busy time for the group as they tease an upcoming new album and future tour dates. Fans can listen back to the full session and interview on BBC Sounds, with video highlights available on BBC iPlayer and the Radio 2 YouTube channel.
Piano Room Month continues this week on Vernon Kay’s mid-morning show—the UK’s most-listened-to radio program—with upcoming performances from Alison Limerick and Mika.
