Mumford And Sons Bring Hozier, Aaron Dessner and Sierra Ferrell to Surprise SNL Set for Prizefighter Songs
mumford and sons returned to late-night television for their fourth appearance on Saturday Night Live, delivering performances of two tracks from their new album Prizefighter with surprise guest turns from Hozier, co-producer Aaron Dessner and singer Sierra Ferrell. The set, staged the night of Feb. 28, doubled as a showcase for the collaborations that shape the band’s latest record.
Mumford And Sons' SNL Set: Songs, Guests and Onstage Backing
The trio opened with "Rubber Band Man, " a track that features Hozier and was co-written by Brandi Carlile. For that performance, Aaron Dessner augmented the band on electric guitar and Hozier emerged from side stage to sing his guest part. Their second number was "Here, " the opening track from Prizefighter; onstage that night Sierra Ferrell sang the part that appears on the studio recording with Chris Stapleton. Dessner provided backing for both songs and is credited as a co-producer of Prizefighter.
Band Comments, Lineup Changes and Creative Partnerships
Marcus Mumford described Prizefighter, months before its release, as his favorite of the group’s albums thus far; he framed the record as a direct and personal statement from the band. Marcus Mumford is 39. Co-founder and bassist Ted Dwane, 41, praised Aaron Dessner’s production work and characterized Dessner as a genuine creative ally. Dwane noted that the band had long been fans of Dessner’s group The National and that the two sides connected while preparing the band’s third record, Wilder Mind. Winston Marshall’s departure from the lineup was noted in recent years; the band’s Rushmere release last March was the first record created as a trio after Marshall left in part over political differences.
Performance Context: Dates, Debut and Warm-Up Shows
Prizefighter arrived as the band’s second album in less than a year and opened in the top 10 on release. The Feb. 28 late-night set followed a hastily organized warm-up performance on the preceding Tuesday at the 500-capacity Music Hall of Williamsburg, where the band performed unamplified backed by a four-piece string section and additional singers. Plans shared after the taping indicate the band will kick off an extensive world tour April 24 in Melbourne.
SNL Episode Details and Sketch Appearances
The episode was hosted for the first time by actor Connor Storrie, who stars in Heated Rivalry as a fictional hockey player. His monologue featured cameos from U. S. Olympic hockey gold medalists Jack and Quinn Hughes from the men’s team and Hilary Knight and Megan Keller from the women’s team; Knight noted that a plan originally centered on the women expanded to include the men as well, a remark tied to a recent controversy in which Donald Trump undermined the women’s team during a congratulatory call to the men. Members of the women’s team declined an invitation to this week’s State Of The Union, citing a travel schedule, and were instead extended an invite to a celebratory party with Flavor Flav in Las Vegas.
