Chatting with... Stan Elliot from the Mumford & Sons Story

As folk revival rock stars Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane and Ben Lovett enjoy a renaissance of their genre-defining 2009 sound with new albums Rushmere and Prizefighter, The Mumford & Sons Story stands out as the quintessential tribute to the band.

Ahead of their upcoming performance here on 28 May, we spoke with banjo player Stan Elliot to explore how these talented lads came together and what drives their passion for this iconic folk-rock group.

How did you become a part of The Mumford & Sons Story and what’s it like?

I was asked to join the band through Matt, the lead singer and guitarist, who I've known for a while; he came to see my band play in Bath and decided I'd be a good fit for the band!

What is it about Mumford & Sons’ music that resonates with you?

I love the harmonies and storytelling.

As a songwriter myself, hearing the influence of Marcus' extensive reading of literary classics was something I hadn't cottoned onto when the initial Mumford-mania hit back in the early 2010s - but his interpretations and personal stories are wonderful. The harmonies are a staple in folk, and to hear them roared with ferocity is incredible.

Mumford & Sons are known for their emotionally building music and big live shows - how do you recreate that energy on stage?

We try to stay as truthful to the original setup as possible - the setup that catapulted them to such heights - which is ultimately quite stripped back! The kick drum and tambourine setup that Marcus Mumford uses (which is far more sparse than your usual drum kit), allows the other instruments to shine, with a lot of the rhythm coming from the acoustic guitar.

Matt is constantly changing broken strings after the show, which tells you all you need to know!

Have you always been a banjo player and what made you pick it up?

I started playing banjo just before joining the band- which is quite ‘Mumford’, as Winston Marshall did a similar thing before their first tour! I love it though. I’m primarily a guitarist, but the percussive ‘twangy’ element that the banjo provides is great to play.

Is there a particular song that always gets a strong reaction from audiences?

So many of the songs we play are easily recognised by audiences - which I guess is the point of a tribute band, to refresh the joyful memories the artist has brought the listener.

I’d say the most special is Timshel, where we all stand around one mic and sing with just an acoustic guitar as accompaniment.

Is the show a massive party or an intimate affair?

It’s both! Mumford & Sons have so much variety in their songs, we ramp it up and settle it down a bunch of times over the course of two hours. There's a chance to both dance and quietly enjoy what we throw at you.

How do audiences typically respond when hearing these songs live?

I think for so many audience members, the songs have deep-rooted memories attached to them. If someone was listening to Mumford back in 2011, then they’ll be in a different stage of their life now; which means the song could unlock something you may have forgotten.

We switch it up. There are often restrictions to some of the newer songs - a touring band of their stature have so many accompanying musicians! - but we try our best to make it sound as similar as possible whilst prioritising the energy of a live show as much as possible.

How do you keep the performances feeling fresh while playing up and down the country?

It may sound cliché, but it’s easy because the songs have such dexterity in sound! Every show is different too; we have things we like to say sometimes between songs, whether that be context for the tunes or backstory for the band - and they can vary, so that keeps it super fresh.

What has been the most memorable moment you’ve had on stage so far?

We performed in my hometown Bath last year. It was our biggest crowd of the tour, in candlelight at Bath Abbey. It was utterly magical. I sang Ghosts That We Knew, a poignant and soulful ballad, which gave me an out-of-body experience on a few of the high notes.

What do you hope audiences feel when they leave one of your shows?

We want them to feel taken care of - that the part of them that loves the music of Mumford & Sons has been celebrated to its full extent and that they know that live music will always be the thing most powerful in our society.

For someone who’s never seen you live, how would you describe the experience in three words?

Energetic, nourishing and nostalgic! We hope to see you there to experience it yourself.

The Mumford & Sons Story recreates the epic rise of the foot-stomping folk-rock giants who took the world by storm. Packed with all the anthems you love - Little Lion Man, I Will Wait, The Cave, Ghosts That We Knew, Delta, Rushmere, Believe, Rubber Band Man and more - this show is pure festival energy bottled up for an unforgettable night!

Get tickets here, or by calling Box Office on 01723 370 541.