Photo from Concepción Studios
When I found out Florence and the Machine were touring, I got excited. When I found out they were going to be performing half an hour away from me, I gathered together every form of technology with access to the Internet so I’d have the best chance at getting tickets. Yet, not even half an hour after the tickets went on sale I was slumped over my laptop crying – they’d sold out quicker than I could type ‘www’. Having heard so many positive reviews about their performances and pining after them whilst listening to them live on the radio, I was desperate to see them, and thanks to my amazing, sly parents who conspired with my friend, I was able to get a ticket to the best live act I have ever seen.
I arrived early and managed to get right at the front of the stage, allowing me to witness Florence in all her beauty. As it was for the band’s Ceremonials tour, the stage backdrop reflected the dreamy album, with a stained glass window style that could have been taken from the set of The Great Gatsby. In typical Florence fashion, she entered the stage draped in a dramatic black cape, leaping about effortlessly and interacting with her fans in a way that every audience member felt as if she was singing to them personally.
Listening to her voice on CD, it’s hard to comprehend how powerful she is, but nothing prepares you for hearing her in concert, in which those high notes are hit perfectly and effortlessly, accompanied by the rest of the highly talented band. Projected within the venue, no matter what size, the sound is all-encompassing and out of this world.
The entire performance in itself was something of a production, and it’s easy to see why the band are headlining and performing at many festivals this year. Given the chance, I wouldn’t hesitate to watch them perform everyday of the year, but for now I’ll just have to keep an eye out for the tour of the new album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful to get my next fix.
