Hop on the Big Easy Express with Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and More

The Big Easy Express crew reunites at the movie premiere at SXSW

Every now and then you know you’re witnessing something very special. Today I got to watch the latest film from Director Emmett Malloy called the Big Easy Express, documenting a tour by train that traveled from California to New Orleans carrying Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Old Crow Medicine Show. They traveled thousands of miles and played six shows, but it seemed like the real fun was had as they were rolling down the tracks post-show with jam sessions going into the early morning.

All the bands were in attendance at the first showing of the film here in Austin and all the hoots, hollers and claps made an already fun documentary more fun to watch. Also, they performed a loose acoustic set afterwards — with Mumford and Sons playing a new song then a group sing-a-long proving that the camaraderie and good vibes you saw in the film are most definitely real.

During a Q&A, Marcus Mumford said it was the best thing they’ve ever done and said they got surprisingly emotional reliving the journey watching the film and meeting up backstage with all the other bands.

Without sounding too cheesy, their good vibes warmed my heart and I just felt like I wanted to be a part of it. Even more than that, it reminded me how GOOD they all are. After watching bands all week here in Texas, many of them co-opting the Americana/folk sound that these bands made popular, it’s pretty clear that none of them come close to these guys. There is a reason they’ve been so successful that is not easily copied and it was a great way to end the trip.

RR