Mumford & Sons perform at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on June 2, 2013. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)
Mumford & Sons “Gentlemen of the Road” Summer Stampede is a game changer for San Manuel Amphitheater, the largest outdoor venue in the United States, nestled in the hills of Glen Helen Regional Park in Devore.
It’s a venue known for bringing out the country big guns, including Tim McGraw, who performs at the spot Saturday, June 8, and heavy metal heavyweights like Iron Maiden, who come to town Sept. 13.
In that light alone, Mumford & Sons, the Grammy-winning nouveau folk group, was something totally out of left field for the venue, which is owned by San Bernardino County and operated by Live Nation.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mumford & Sons at San Manuel Amphitheater, June 2, 2013
The event was almost like a mini-festival, with a rousing performance by Mystery Jets to start the music, as well as sets from The Eels and Michael Kiwanuka before Mumford & Sons took the stage in their stomping, banjo-filled glory.
Adjacent to the venue, hundreds of campers took advantage of the camping packages offered up for the first time with the show. Before the headliners went on stage, there were friends hanging out and tailgating and on Saturday night, the campground showed movies. There was even a mini water park and two water slides for the campers to frolic in.
Part of what made the show so special is that it looked nothing like a typical show at the venue. The signage was draped in Mumford & Sons tour regalia. Mumfordian flags flew above the stage and atop the towers holding the video screens facing the lawn. The signs at the entrance were changes from Glen Helen Regional Park to Mumford & Sons Regional Park. Even the venue staff wore special shirts commemorating the show.
With the news that Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre’s lease will be up in 2017, perhaps Mumford & Sons has helped start a renaissance for the Inland Empire’s biggest venue that doesn’t involve electric guitars or cowboy hats.