At the 2023 New Orleans Jazz Fest, Mumford & Sons delivered a performance no one saw coming — a genre-bending, soul-shaking rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” that’s now gone viral with over 3 million views (and counting).
Before the first chord struck, frontman Marcus Mumford welcomed two hometown heroes to the stage: the ever-electric Trombone Shorty (Troy Andrews) and the endlessly talented Jon Batiste, best known as the charismatic bandleader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. What followed was a cover of the 1964 classic by The Animals — but this wasn’t just another version. It was a total reinvention.
Marcus kicked things off with a stripped-down, intimate intro — a quiet acoustic lull that hushed the crowd before erupting into a full-blown folk-jazz explosion. Trombone Shorty’s velvety brass solos danced between Marcus’ breathy verses, building tension with every haunting note. Jon Batiste chimed in with a spine-tingling melodica solo, weaving gospel, blues, and jazz in hypnotic fashion.
Just as the energy peaked, a surprise twist jolted the audience: guitarist Clarisse stormed the stage in tangerine sunglasses, wielding a glitter-drenched blue guitar and tearing into a face-melting solo that felt more rock arena than folk fest — think Slash meets Preservation Hall.
Where most covers of “House of the Rising Sun” lean on vocal drama or retro homage, this performance unfolded like a living conversation between genres. Instead of leaning on spectacle, the band and their guests let their musicianship do the talking — ebbing and flowing with breathtaking dynamics and explosive chemistry.
Mumford’s delivery was balanced and unpredictable, swerving between gentle vulnerability and powerhouse vocal peaks. Yet, even at its most intense, the spotlight kept moving — Trombone Shorty playing with fearless flair, Jon Batiste elevating each bar with effortless soul, and Clarisse turning heads with raw guitar heroics.
For a band sometimes labeled as too polished or out of step with pop trends, this moment served as a reminder: Mumford & Sons aren’t chasing charts — they’re chasing artistry. And with collaborators like this, they’re taking us all along for the ride.
As one stunned fan commented on YouTube, “What the actual hell did I just witness? That was one of the best live sets I’ve seen in years. No flash. No gimmicks. Just real musicians blowing the roof off.”
No autotune. No filter. Just lightning caught onstage.
