July 17, 2010 15:50

Mumford & Sons play debut Spanish show at Benicassim

Plus Julian Casablancas, Hop Chip and Peter Hook appear at Spanish festival

Photo: Richard Johnson / NME

Mumford and Sons played their first ever Spanish gig at Benicassim International Festival last night (July 16).

Some of the London band's fans were so eager to see them on the Fiberfib.com stage that they climbed trees in the middle of the site to get a better view, prompting the fourpiece to pay tribute to them.

"We're touched to be here, this is our first time in Spain," keyboardist Ben Lovett told the crowd before convincing them to scream the remainder of the festival's name whenever double bassist Ted Dwane shouted "Beni".

Julian Casablancas also played an early evening slot on the Verde stage, showcasing his solo album 'Phrazes For The Young'. Joined by his live solo band, Casablancas played several songs by The Strokes including 'Reptilia' and 'Hard To Explain'.

During solo track 'River Of Breaklights', the singer dived into the crowd and was mobbed before running to the edge of the photopit to finish the song.

"Holy shit, look how many of you are out there!" he said, sounding shocked after the former track, adding: "That was crazy, man!" Before final song, 'The Modern Age', Casablancas gave a shoutout to Vampire Weekend, who also played the Verde stage that night.

Meanwhile, Peter Hook and his solo band played a set of Joy Division songs to fans on the Eastpak Fib Club stage. The likes of 'She's Lost Control' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' had Hook's legions of fans singing along, and the bassist - who sang lead vocals on every track - bounded around the stage energetically throughout.

Vampire Weekend also played the Verde stage, showcasing tracks from their second album 'Contra', while Hot Chip performed a mammoth set that started with them playing hits from across their career before merging into a more dance-orientated second half of the gig.

NME is coming live from Benicassim throughout the weekend.