Tipping their hat to Townes Van Zandt. Last night, October 22, Mumford & Sons took center stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The English folk band has been a staple among folk and Americana fans over the last decade or so. These days, it seems as though Mumford & Sons are dipping their toe more into the country/folk field than into their older roots in the folk/indie fanbase. And while I’m not saying the indie folks aren’t still rocking out to their music, the artists they have bumped shoulders with as of late hail from the country genre. Last night, during their headlining show in Nashville, they again brought out Wilson for a surprise performance of “Things A Man Oughta Know.” And while that performance was stellar, there is another notable guest that was brought out, we need to discuss: their opening act, Sierra Ferrell. The Appalachian fairy was the supporting act for the night, further supporting the claim that Mumford & Sons are leaning heavily into their folk/country roots. Ferrell, as she always does, kicked off the night with all of her hits, including her cover of John Anderson’s “Years.” @chloe.hoecker I’ll post it everytime I see her, idc #sierraferrel #years #nashvilletn ♬ original sound – Chloe Hoecker Later in the evening, Ferrell came back out to join the band for a cover of a folk classic, “If I Needed You” by Townes Van Zandt. The song was penned and recorded by Van Zandt and appeared on his 1972 record, The Late Great Townes Van Zandt. However, the song has been a country music hit, with Emmylou Harris and Don Williams covering it 9 years later. Andrew Bird has also covered the tune on Hands of Glory, Guy Clark on Songs and Stories, Lyle Lovett on Step Inside This House, Doc Watson for his record Then and Now and more. The tender acoustic ballad tells the story of two lovers standing by each other through the good and bad times. Unconditional love is not needing someone all the time, but wanting to be there for them and to lift them up through the dark times. The narrator does not need his partner in his life, but knows that if he called for help, she would come, and vice versa. Last night in Nashville, Ferrell and Mumford & Sons started the tune a capella, and their harmonies left you with goose bumps. Marcus Mumford’s steady vocals lead the way, with Ferrell’s angelic voice following suit. After the first lines, the band begins lightly picking the strings of their instruments, giving the song more shape while still keeping that wow-factor. In the third verse, Ferrell takes the lead and belts out the vocals, deservingly earning cheers from the audience. The entire performance is breathtakingly beautiful and pays homage to one of the best folk and Americana songwriters there ever was. I would not be upset at all if they decided to cut a studio version of this. Marcus Mumford and Sierra Ferrell’s voices are a match made in heaven. Check it out: @grantg30 Cover of If I Needed You, Mumford and Sons with Sierra Ferrell. Flawless. #mumfordandsons #sierraferrell #nashville #fyp ♬ original sound – Grant Goodman The post Mumford & Sons Bring Out Sierra Ferrell During Nashville Show For Flawless Cover Of Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.