Mumford & Sons made their fourth appearance on Saturday Night Live on February 28, performing songs from their new album Prizefighter. The band surprised the audience by bringing out Hozier for their hit 'Rubber Band Man,' which has topped the Adult Alternative Airplay chart for 10 weeks. They also performed 'Here' with additional guests including Aaron Dessner and Sierra Ferrell.
Mumford & Sons, the English folk-rock band, returned to Saturday Night Live on February 28 for their first performance on the show since 2018. This marked their fourth overall appearance, promoting their sixth studio album, Prizefighter, released on February 20. The album debuted at Number One on the UK Albums Chart and is the band's second release in less than a year, following Rushmere, their first as a trio after Winston Marshall's departure due to political differences.
The episode, hosted by Canadian actor Connor Storrie in his SNL debut, featured the band's set as a highlight. They opened with 'Rubber Band Man,' a collaboration with Hozier that was co-written by Brandi Carlile. Hozier joined Mumford & Sons onstage, along with co-producer Aaron Dessner of The National, delivering an unexpected jolt to the Studio 8H audience. The track has spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart.
For their second performance, the band played 'Here,' the album's opening track featuring Chris Stapleton. Dessner returned, accompanied by singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell. Prizefighter represents a personal milestone for the group; frontman Marcus Mumford, 39, described it to People Magazine as his favorite album, calling it the 'straightest talking record' and closest to their essence. Bassist Ted Dwane, 41, praised Dessner's production, noting him as a 'real ally' since their work on Wilder Mind.
Prior to SNL, Mumford & Sons held an unplugged set at Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg, performing songs from Prizefighter like 'The Banjo Song' alongside classics such as 'The Cave' and 'Awake My Soul.' The band has upcoming tours, including Australia and New Zealand in April, North America starting June 2 in Vancouver, and a headline slot at BST Hyde Park on July 4 with support from The War On Drugs.
