Thursday, March 7, 2019

Mumford & Sons!

We took a short vacation to eastern Ontario, involving some family visits but centred around a chance to see Mumford & Sons in concert at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.

When we booked the show back in the fall, we knew it was a bit of a gamble - setting ourselves up for an eight hour winter drive, each way - but we got lucky and saw mainly dry roads and sunny skies. Sure, Ottawa had a ton of snow as usual.....piled so high you couldn't really see to pull out onto side streets.....but at least the roads were clear!

We also booked a gorgeous Airbnb in Stittsville very close to the venue, and tried our hand at Uber for the first time as well. On the way to the show it was wonderful - less so after the show, in the chaos of a chilly parking lot full of drunkards all looking for one specific strange car and license plate! In the end we made it safely back to the apartment.

The show was great, with the band playing selections from their new album Delta, along with many of the favourites from previous albums, all with their infectious energy and British charm. Lead singer Marcus playfully poked the crowd periodically in relation to politics, sports, and Canadian winters.....and at one point went up into the stands and then down into the sea of humanity known as Floor Admission. What an insanely talented bunch.

I set a new personal record, spending $15 for a beer (just had the one, obviously) - still shy of Jane's $26 dacquiri from Vegas but in fairness, this wasn't even good beer.....and that dacquiri was HUGE!

I did nab a fine selection of local brews heretofore unseen to enjoy at the apartment and back home, given the burgeoning craft beer scene in the Ottawa area!

After a nice breakfast visit with my collegiate niece, we hit the road for the long drive home!


Mumford & Sons hit the stage!

Lighting up the arena



Marcus braves the crowd!




Working the crowd



Marcus Mumford wails on vocals

M&S "Theatre in the Round" stage set up




The "Shut the f^ck up" moment

From the cheap seats

Not all banjo is bad!

Respect in the Nation's Capital

Great Airbnb in Stittsville

Local craft bounty!

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