Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza was abuzz with anticipation on February 28, 2026, as Mumford & Sons made a triumphant return to Saturday Night Live (SNL), marking their fourth appearance on the iconic late-night stage. The English folk-rock band, whose last SNL visit was back in 2018, took the opportunity to showcase new material from their freshly released album, Prizefighter, which hit the shelves just a week earlier on February 20.
The evening’s episode was hosted by Connor Storrie, the 26-year-old Canadian actor best known for his role as Shane Hollander on HBO Max’s hockey drama Heated Rivalry. Making his SNL debut, Storrie opened the show with a monologue that playfully highlighted the contrast between the recent gold medal victory of the U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team and the men’s squad’s ongoing 40-plus year drought. For a moment, the stage was filled with both teams, drawing laughs and cheers from the audience as Storrie joked about the teams’ respective fortunes.
But it was the musical segment that truly stole the spotlight. Mumford & Sons, now performing as a trio following the departure of guitarist and banjoist Winston Marshall, kicked off their set with “Rubber Band Man.” This track, a standout from Prizefighter, has already spent an impressive 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, according to Billboard. Fans were in for a special treat when Irish musician Hozier stepped out onto the stage to join the band for the live rendition. The collaboration, co-written with acclaimed songwriter Brandi Carlile, had been eagerly anticipated, but seeing Hozier and co-producer Aaron Dessner of The National join the performance sent an electric jolt through the Studio 8H crowd.
Hozier’s surprise appearance was not just a musical highlight but a moment of camaraderie and artistic synergy. As Rolling Stone reported, Dessner’s presence on stage underscored his growing influence on the band’s evolving sound. Co-founder Ted Dwane praised Dessner’s work, saying, “Dessner, he just feels like a real ally. We’ve obviously been a fan of The National for a long time, and we met him and worked with him as we were preparing to make our third record, Wilder Mind.”
With “Rubber Band Man” setting the tone, the band continued with “Here,” the opening track from Prizefighter. For this song, they were joined by country star Chris Stapleton and singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell, alongside Dessner. The collective energy on stage was palpable, and it was clear that Mumford & Sons were relishing the chance to perform with a roster of talented collaborators who have become close friends and creative partners.
Reflecting on the new album, frontman Marcus Mumford was candid about the band’s growth and honesty. Speaking to People Magazine months before the release, he said, “It’s like we got to this stage in our careers where we’re comfortable in our skin now, and so we can talk straight. And this is the straightest talking record I think we have. And so it’s the closest to the essence of who we are, honestly. And that’s why I love it so much, because it feels like representing that on record can be really hard and really challenging, and you can get most of the way to success. But there’s always edifice, I think, and this one doesn’t feel like it has much of that in it. It’s just f—ing us and our mates, and that’s what our band is.”
Prizefighter marks a significant chapter in the band’s journey. It is their second album in less than a year, following the release of Rushmere in March 2025. The period between the two records was marked by change, most notably the departure of Winston Marshall, who left the group in part due to political differences with his bandmates. This transition, while challenging, seems to have galvanized the remaining members, who have embraced a more stripped-down and authentic approach to their music.
The SNL episode itself was peppered with memorable moments beyond the music. A late-night sketch filmed on location at the Rink at Rockefeller Center featured Storrie’s Heated Rivalry co-star Hudson Williams in a surprise cameo. The two actors, who portray rival hockey players on the show, delighted fans by skating together in what quickly became the most shared clip of the night. Later, Williams returned to Studio 8H to help Storrie introduce Mumford & Sons, further blurring the lines between the show’s comedic and musical elements.
In addition to “Rubber Band Man” and “Here,” Mumford & Sons performed other tracks from Prizefighter, including “The Banjo Song.” The setlist showcased the band’s evolving sound—a blend of their signature folk-rock energy with new influences brought in by collaborators like Dessner, Hozier, and Carlile.
Looking ahead, Mumford & Sons are gearing up for an ambitious touring schedule. According to Rolling Stone, the band will embark on a tour of Australia and New Zealand in April, followed by a North American leg in June, and a European tour later in the year. They are also set to headline the Bourbon & Beyond Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, in October, signaling their continued prominence on the global music scene.
For fans who missed the live broadcast, highlights from the episode—including the cold open, monologue, Weekend Update, sketches, and musical performances—are available to stream online, as noted by Gold Derby. The accessibility of these clips ensures that the magic of the night, from Storrie’s comedic debut to the musical fireworks of Mumford & Sons and their friends, can be relived and shared far beyond the confines of Studio 8H.
In the end, Mumford & Sons’ return to SNL was more than just a promotional stop for a new album. It was a celebration of artistic growth, collaboration, and the enduring power of live performance. With Prizefighter already making waves and a world tour on the horizon, the band’s journey shows no signs of slowing down—much to the delight of fans old and new.