I went to see Mumford & Sons at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester and it was pure magic from start to finish

Mumford & Sons returned to Manchester with the confidence of a band who knew the crowd had been waiting for them.

Before they even walked on the atmosphere in Co-op Live was already buzzing with that warm mix of chatter, anticipation and the occasional cheer from fans spotting familiar faces in the pit.

Sierra Ferrell kicked things off with her dreamy, off-kilter blend of folk and it turned out to be an unexpectedly brilliant way to open the night.

Her voice had this enchanting, otherworldly quality that briefly made you forget you were in a massive arena.

By the time she wrapped up her set the crowd was warmed through and buzzing - especially when two members of Mumford & Sons stepped out to join her for a song.

When the lights finally dropped the roar that went up felt like a release. The band opened with a newer track, leaning into a heavier sound than their early days - it was electric to say the least.

They started with ‘Run Together’ from their newest upcoming sixth album called Prizefighter. With huge drums sounds, stomping feet and deeper sounds, Mumford & Sons transitioned straight into an old classic ‘Babel’.

The set flowed smoothly between their newer material and the classics that shaped so many memories.

Songs like ‘Little Lion Man’ and ‘The Cave’ turned the arena into a full-throttle sing-along.

Thousands of voices echoing the choruses made the space feel almost alive, vibrating with a kind of shared joy you only get at a show where everyone knows every word.

Some stand-outs for me were the thunderous beats of ‘Hopeless Wanderer’ and the echoing rage of ‘White Blank Page’ that got everyone singing from the heart.

Marcus Mumford was in high spirits, running around the arena and engaging with the crowd in such a way that felt completely natural, his voice was powerful, raw, and yet emotionally vulnerable all at once.

Midway through the set the band moved to a smaller platform to play a stripped-back set, that definitely made standing your golden ticket.

Even in such a huge venue Mumford & Sons managed to carve out an intimate moment amongst the crowd - there was even a very quiet pocket of stillness where even a whisper could be heard.

Production-wise, Co-op Live gave them plenty to work with. Huge screens, excellent lighting and booming quality sound added drama without overwhelming the music - you had a good view and sound wherever you stood in the arena, which is rare.

The encore sealed the night. Fan favourites blended with one of their newer tracks and by the final chorus the entire arena was on its feet, stomping their feet.

There was a sense of togetherness that just got everyone on their feet dancing, smiling and enjoying the music.

Especially when fan favourites came on like ‘Believe’, ‘The Cave’ and ‘I Will Wait’ - all time classics that you just can’t help but stomp and holler at.

‘Awake My Soul’ felt like a quiet, heartfelt plea wrapped in gentle acoustic strumming. It builds slowly, almost like a confession until the harmonies bloom into something uplifting and deeply human - a firm live favourite everyone needs to hear.

Overall, Mumford & Sons delivered a powerful, confident show that showcased how much they’ve evolved while still holding onto the heart of what made fans love them in the first place.

It felt like a band reinvigorated - louder, bolder and powerful to the point of feeling completely new.