Music

Americana & Folk Revival Quiz

Mumford, Avetts, Lumineers — the 2010s alt-folk wave

Americana & Folk Revival Quiz: The 2010s Alt-Folk Wave

Mumford & Sons' second album 'Babel' (2013) won Album of the Year at the Grammys — beating Frank Ocean's 'Channel Orange,' a controversial decision still debated today. The late 2000s and 2010s saw a powerful counter-movement to electronic-pop and EDM: a return to acoustic instrumentation, banjo, mandolin, vocal harmonies, and rural or literary lyricism that swept festival stages from Newport to Telluride.

How It Works

Each round presents 10 randomized questions from a pool of 50, with four multiple-choice options and instant feedback after every answer. Your final score comes with a performance tier and shareable results.

What You'll Learn

You'll trace the key bands of the 2010s revival, Bon Iver's Wisconsin cabin origin story, Mumford & Sons' surprise Grammy win, the signature Lumineers/Avett Brothers/Fleet Foxes sound, the Coen Brothers' 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' and 'Inside Llewyn Davis' folk soundtracks, and how Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson redefined neo-traditional country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who sang 'Ho Hey'?

'Ho Hey' was released by The Lumineers in 2012 from their self-titled debut album. The Denver-based trio of Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah Fraites, and cellist Neyla Pekarek became a defining sound of the folk revival.

What is Bon Iver?

Bon Iver is the indie-folk project of Justin Vernon, who recorded the debut album 'For Emma, Forever Ago' (2008) alone in a remote Wisconsin cabin. The project later expanded into a full ensemble with experimental albums like '22, A Million.'

Who beat Frank Ocean for Album of the Year 2013?

Mumford & Sons' 'Babel' won Album of the Year at the 2013 Grammys, beating Frank Ocean's 'Channel Orange,' Jack White, fun., and The Black Keys. The decision remains controversial and is often cited in debates about Grammy voting.

Last updated: May 2026