Mumford & Sons, Dawes and Colorfeels - Secret Show at The Basement

Mumford & Sons brought their magic for not one, not two, but three-nights of sold-out shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium last week.

Audiences were dazzled by Mumford & Sons, surprised with appearances by world-renowned Dobro player Jerry Douglas, and entranced by collaborative encores with members of Old Crow Medicine Show and Dawes.

Over the past couple of years, Mumford & Sons have laid the groundwork for deep-rooted ties here in Music City. They showed their love of the local music scene by having opening acts like Apache Relay and Abigail Washburn join them on their Ryman headlining debut. 

After a triple dose of Mumford & Sons at the Ryman, the band was not quite ready to head out of town without giving Nashville a little more to resonate with before they hit the road.

If you were one of the lucky ones that caught wind of a rumored Mumford & Sons appearance at The Basement, you were certainly in for a treat.

The crowd poured in and The Basement filled up quickly. The venue reached capacity a little after midnight and a handful of hopefuls stood around outside, eagerly waiting for someone to leave so they could enter this secret event. 

Marcus Mumford, who stepped outside for a moment, asked the crowd why they were standing outside and he was informed the venue was at capacity. He then said not to worry and went and approached Mike Grimes (owner of The Basement). A moment later Mike announced to the crowd that per Marcus’s request, everyone was allowed inside the venue. 

Inside The Basement, members of Mumford & Sons, Dawes, Apache Relay, Colorfeels and John Rich were just some of the folks out having a good time. 

Finally around 2:00 a.m., perhaps the best jam session of 2012 broke out and The Basement attempted to set their own record for most people playing on stage; (the secret Metallica show comes to mind).

Marcus Mumford took the stage with Dawes, Apache Relay’s guitarist Mike Harris, the Mumford & Sons horn section, John McCauley (Deer Tick), Jonny Corndawg, and some of the members of Colorfeels.

The appetizer was a six-minute jam session that got everyone moving. Dawes lead singer, Taylor Goldsmith, started the main course with the distinctive opening notes of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Born On The Bayou,” and followed with Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark.” Marcus Mumford took over vocals on a stirring rendition of Townes Van Zandt’s, “If I Needed You.”

Afterwards, Mumford headed back to the drums and Goldsmith, McCauley, and Corndawg collaborated on a "pseudo-medley" of Bob Dylan's, "I Shall Be Released," and Buck Owen’s, “Act Naturally.”  The boys broke this hit down in a two-part jam session, just to keep the fun lingering a little longer.

Everyone left The Basement feeling full--perhaps even over-indulged--but ultimately satisfied to have witnessed such a dynamic group of performers in such a secret setting.

Setlist:

Born on the Bayou (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen)

If I Needed You (Townes Van Zandt)

I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan) / Act Naturally (Buck Owens)