I went to the Mumford & Sons Prizefighter concert this past Wednesday at Madison Square Garden and brought my husband along with me. I feel very fortunate for a few reason – MSG is only a 2 hour train ride away, I can afford to buy tickets, and my husband, however much he “complains”, is willing to go with me. He’ll give me the “well, I can’t let you go by yourself”, because I have said many times for many things that if he doesn’t want to do it, “I’m going anyways”. In case you were wondering about that first sentence, this is why I say I went and brought him with me.
Anyway, I bought these tickets six months ago when I was only 2 songs into their new Prizefighter album. Spotify has that feature to look for an artist’s tour dates. I saw MSG, the dates, went to the website and the only indecision was which night based on which seats I could get. We like section 224. Nice angle, clear view of the projection screen, and in rows 3 through 6, you head down and not up. I thought about Tuesday, opening night, but Wednesday had a AISLE SEAT. What better offering to my husband than that!?
I’ve been watching videos of their concerts across the United States and getting hyped up. Looking for playlists on Spotify and singing along to all the songs. Even Spotify following the artist, Medium Build who would be the opening act. August 12th couldn’t come soon enough!
Finally! Wednesday arrives and we take the train into New York, check into the hotel (not the Hilton I thought I made a reservation for but it was actually better located! Story for another time), and head out for an early dinner.
Back to our room, get ready and walk 3 blocks down 8th to MSG.
It was smooth sailing into the arena and our seats. Of course, we got there and in about 20 minutes before the first act but it gave us time to look at the merchandise. We didn’t buy anything but they had a pop-up shop near our hotel during the day so we went the next day for t-shirts.
The seats on the aisle were awesome and our whole row was couples which was really weird!
The only bummer of the evening was the group of six 30-somethings who showed up as Mumford & Sons started. JUST as they started. Not 5 or 10 minute before. No. Right in the seconds of the opening notes of Run Together. Six of them. Right in front of us. Looking for their seats, when they are the only six seats left in the row, so, no surprise there, pick a seat.
Ok, no big deal. Praying to God that the tall guy won’t be in front of me. No, great! He was on the aisle so, to my right. But wait, what did he do? He and the guy next to him TALKED through the first 2 songs. Comment, stop, comment, stop, comment, laugh, comment.
Now, the entire arena is standing. I have been standing since the first notes started. We are all into it, and these guys are talking.
The second song ended, and I took my hand and gently placed it on his shoulder. He turned towards me and I said, very politely, very civilly, “Please.Stop.Talking” as I fixed him with my disappointed mother stare. He did and I carried on enjoying the rest of the concert.
Marcus Mumford was so energetic! After about 10 or 12 songs, he jumped off the stage and ran down the side of the floor, into the crowd in the back, and along the other side back to the stage. A few songs later, he and the 2 others in the group, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane (have to give them their props!), headed to the other end of the arena and set up on the B Stage and played a couple of songs there. I’m happy we got The Boxer but should have known it since we were in New York! Once back on the main stage, they played three more songs and the concert was over. According to the Set List website (yes, you can search for a concert and find the songs they sang!), these songs were considered the Encore. I thought they’d be back, but the house lights came up, and everyone started leaving. I guess I should be happy with Twenty-Two songs and 2 hours of watching and hearing them sing! My husband had to sit down a few times but I caught him tapping his toe to the music, and he really enjoyed Medium Build.
It was a quick walk back to our hotel and we were still full from our burgers earlier that we skipped a late night slice of pizza one block north.
I thought I had a video of them to post here but I must have been so engrossed, I don’t have anything but snippets. But there are plenty out there on Instagram if you’re interested. It was really a concert to remember!
Thoughts From The Passenger Seat 