Mumford and sons music video analysis

This music video is a mixture of narrative and band performance. There is a circular narrative, both the beginning and end of the video is the singers taking the instruments to the Mexican style band and then taking them from them at the end.

The target audience for this music video is young adults between the ages of 18-24. It sets focus into the indie genre. The video begins with a wide shot of the actual band on mopeds. This is important because it establishes who the real band is. The surroundings are very isolated, however they also connote a care free environment as nobody is around to tell them what to do. The use of subtitles allows the band to introduce the mimic band who is dressed in Spanish uniform to the audience, creating a comedy care free feel to the music video. This is yet another wide shot which contrasts the real band from the mimic band.

Mumford and sons wear a typical suit in the video for ‘The Cave’, this contrast with the mimic band wearing their typical Spanish uniform. Mumford and sons also play instruments. This targets its audience because they are also likely to play instruments as they are aspirational. There are close ups throughout the video to establish the musical instruments that they are playing in the video and to also create a feeling of unity between the band and their audience as it is something they are familiar with.

For alot of the video there is close ups of the singers on their mopeds, followed by a tracking shot of the camera following them. This makes the audience feel like they are a part of the band and feel involved with them. This is continued throughout the video. There is also a jump of close ups between the real band and the mimic band. This shows the contrast between the two bands. The unsteady camera makes the audience feel part of the video because they feel like they are there watching them.

Throughout the music video, the band tries to make its audience feel as though they are united with them and a part of them. This is shown through the use of close ups because the audience are getting up close and personal with the band.

The mise en scene of the isolated cliff edge, and the isolated roads creates a sense of calmness to the video. This makes the audience feel comfortable to watch it which is important so that it will suit its target audience making them want to watch it over and over again.