Florence + the Machine, Brixton Academy
Florence + the Machine played Brixton Academy on December 13th
Thursday, 17, Dec 2009 02:29
Performing to a home crowd on Sunday, Florence and the Machine glittered their way into the hearts of a sell-out audience.
Fronted by Florence Welch, the band proved to fans just why their 2009 success has been so immense, with an exceptional performance which managed to side-step their new found fame and come across humbly and with ease.
Fairy-like Florence floated her way across the stage dressed in a ragged silver and white gown, her voice never wavering despite a lengthy set focused predominantly on the 23-year-old and her vocal talent.
In the style of feminine kookiness synonymous with the image of Florence and her band, the stage was adorned with bird cages, while a huge art nouveau-style mural adorned the backing. Fans were covered in confetti, hearts and glitter as the performance drew to a close, and were encouraged to take part in Florence's systematic jumping.
As the rest of the nation squealed their way through the annual inauguration of the latest X Fad finalist, Florence and her stage of professional musicians (including harpist and gospel choir) proved just what it means to have real, raw musical talent, her seraphim voice resonating among the 5,000 who had come to see one of this year's greatest British musical success stories - Florence and the Machine even managed to stand their ground during the posthumous success of Michael Jackson last summer.
Addressing the crowd, Florence said how wonderful it was to be performing just a stone's throw from her own home, and said how special it had felt to see 'Florence and the Machine' above the Brixton Academy on her way to the charity shop. With a Christmas 'present' for the crowd, she belted out Beyonce's Halo, the cover spectacularly debuted on Jo Whiley's Live Lounge.
Sarah Garrod