As bold as the statement might be, why not get it out of the way before we begin: Florence Welch is our new Kate Bush. There, it’s been said. A third consecutive number one album and hugely successful stand-in Glastonbury slot later, Florence + The Machine take a break from the arenas they’ve been filling for four nights at Alexandra Palace.
It’s no surprise move though. The chance to connect with her audience in closer quarters is clearly something Flo feeds on. Entering the stage via the photo pit, greeting her adoring fans before opening with ‘What The Water Gave Me’, the connection between herself and her music is just as strong. These lyrics are as much Florence as her flaming locks and iconic voice; timid when talking but a beast when delivering hit after hit, while the music of The Machine allows the strings of the harp just as much attention as the percussion and guitar.
The gentle ripples of ‘What The Water Gave Me’ crescendo with waves of her wails, before she asks the crowd to become a choir for ‘Shake It Up’ and demands they take to each other’s shoulders during ‘Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)’. At one point it’s difficult to imagine what the encore will bring, as the ethereal intro to ‘You’ve Got The Love’ becomes the euphoric anthem she’s made her own, and new tracks (‘Ship To Wreck’) segue seamlessly in between.
Following endless strides of the stage, strutting in a ‘70s inspired, flare-featuring get up (but barefoot beneath them), channeling Mark Bolan and Bowie, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’s title track is a breath of air – made with just as much magic as previous singles, but one starring into the sky rather than dancing through it. “I wrote this cycling Kennington to Tower Bridge in an anorak,” Welch tells the crowd, “I’ve carried it for all this time and now I’m giving it to you.” There’s no need for fake gratitude as the track reaches its climax, filling the palace with its majestic brass outro.
With a lantern-filled, pop-up food hall leading into the main arena, and Florence borrowing a fan’s floral headband as the crowd hold her up, you get the impression that everyday is a festival inside her mind. ‘Cosmic Love’ begins small before the expected drums accompany “the sun, the moon…”, before new track ‘What Kind Of Man’ precedes ‘Drumming’ for the encore.
With her voice as big as ever, her spirit never blue and the performance always beautiful, Florence + The Machine remain as exciting and interesting as ever. Perhaps that opening comment was a little hasty, she’s neither the new Bush nor Bolan or Bowie: “We are Florence + The Machine” she declares to the crowd, and their legacy looks set to match those who inspired them.
Words:
Dan Bull
Twitter: @danbull7609
Images:
Robert Gershinson
Instagram: @ShootTalkPhotos
Dan Bull
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