Mumford & Sons, new single Not in Nottingham and European tour plans

Mumford & Sons return with a new recording and fresh live plans. Their acoustic rendition of Not in Nottingham appears on the soundtrack to the upcoming film Emperor of Ocean Park, bringing the London band back into the release cycle according to recent US trade coverage and film-industry announcements.

New single Not in Nottingham for Emperor of Ocean Park

The song Not in Nottingham is originally associated with Disney's animated film Robin Hood, where it was performed by the character Alan-a-Dale the rooster and sung by Roger Miller. Mumford & Sons' version keeps the gentle folk melody but adds their signature banjo-driven texture and vocal harmonies, which have become a trademark since the band broke through with Sigh No More in 2009.

The new recording appears on the soundtrack to Emperor of Ocean Park, a legal thriller drama based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Stephen L. Carter. The film's music supervision leans heavily on contemporary folk and Americana acts, and Mumford & Sons are a natural fit for this palette. Their acoustic approach allows the song to work both as a nostalgic nod to classic animation and as a modern folk-pop ballad.

Tour and live plans across Europe including Germany

Alongside the soundtrack release, Mumford & Sons have been preparing for a new run of European dates. While the full itinerary is still developing, preliminary promoter information for 2025 indicates a focus on major cities and arenas, and Germany is expected to be part of that route with potential stops in Berlin and Cologne. This aligns with the band’s previous touring history, which has consistently included large German venues.

On their last extended European tour, Mumford & Sons played arenas such as the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin and the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, indicating the scale they aim for in the German market. That run mixed headline shows with festival appearances, showing their ability to anchor both standalone concerts and multi-artist lineups. Given the renewed attention from the soundtrack work, similar venues are likely candidates for future dates.

Where the band stands now

Officially, Mumford & Sons remain an active band. Their last full-length studio album, Delta, was released in November 2018 on Island Records and Glassnote, and the group has since balanced touring with intermittent studio work. With Not in Nottingham, they return to recording for a soundtrack project, suggesting a flexible approach that allows them to contribute new songs without necessarily committing to a full album immediately.

The sound and evolution of Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons emerged in the late 2000s as one of the key bands in the British folk-rock revival, alongside acts like Noah and the Whale and Laura Marling. The group’s core sound combines acoustic guitar, banjo, upright bass, and piano with anthemic choruses, drawing on both British folk traditions and Americana. Their debut album Sigh No More established this template, with songs like Little Lion Man and The Cave reaching international audiences.

With the follow-up album Babel, released in 2012, they intensified this sound, resulting in a record that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the United States and topped charts in several other countries. Babel also won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2013, cementing their status as a major global act. Tracks such as I Will Wait became staples of their live set, drawing crowds at festivals like Glastonbury and Lollapalooza.

The 2015 album Wilder Mind marked a shift towards a more electric, alternative rock-oriented sound. Banjo and folk instrumentation were dialed back in favor of electric guitars and synth textures. This evolution divided some early fans but broadened their sonic palette and allowed the band to experiment with arena-ready rock arrangements without fully abandoning their melodic roots. By the time Delta arrived in 2018, the band had integrated both folk and rock elements into a more expansive production style.

All in all, Mumford & Sons continue to balance their status as a major live and recording act with a selective release strategy. With Not in Nottingham tying them to a new film project and with promoter signals pointing toward a renewed European touring cycle that should include Germany, the band remains present both in the studio and on stage, even as full details of the next album and confirmed live dates are still to come.

Disclaimer: Information about releases, tours and dates is subject to change. Readers in Germany should always check local listings and official channels for the latest venue, ticket and schedule updates before making travel or purchase decisions.