Mumford and Sons

The tiny cavern that is Cabaret Voltaire may not be the biggest of venues Edinburgh has to offer, but it’s still some fear for these still relative unknowns from London to sell-out two intense, sweaty nights in a row, especially considering the competition on offer (The Stranglers and David Byrne anyone? Not to mention the thousands of shows on across town in the Fringe).

Things make more sense when the music starts though, and this band, sometimes too rough on record, become a fearsome folk tirade, as rock star drums clash with the double bass, electric banjo, accordion and mandolin. It’s a combination that thrills, with each note played with the respect and passion of men revelling in the craft, rather than the quaint but holy allusions to such a viewpoint that similar acts like Noah and the Whale give off.

Instead, better and brighter comparisons are found in Frightened Rabbit, Fleet Foxes and Stornoway, as artists looking to a simpler past, but bringing it to a crowd who’ve lived fuller lives. The punk legends may have been playing just down the road, but this was where passion found its home tonight.

Cabaret Voltaire, 7 Aug, run ended.