May 2, 2022

Florence and the Machine | A Night at the Theater

by Madeleine Schulz

The Machine appeared onstage, followed by Florence Welch, barefoot as always, tiptoeing across the stage in a sheer, billowing, black Del Core number. The Machine began to play, and Florence began to sing, belting out their new single, “Heaven Is Here,” her fingers tapping away as if playing an imaginary instrument, in harmony with the rest of the Machine.

There wasn’t an empty seat in the Los Angeles Theater—not that anybody was sitting. Looking down from the mezzanine, one might have mistaken the orchestra for a chairless pit. Beautifully dressed patrons danced between the seats and down the aisles, seat numbers be damned.

Florence approved, of both the outfits and the dancing. “Everyone looks amazing,” she fawned. “I really appreciate people who go all out with clothes. Everyone dressed up so much and it makes me so happy.” She continued, “What I really missed the most was dancing. So tonight, I would just love to give you as much dancing as possible.”

And that she did.

Knowing their audience, the band performed a host of older songs, a nod to those who have been around since the beginning.

That said, they made room for some new ones as well. Reflecting on the inability to go to shows during the pandemic, Florence mused, “Watching people perform or going to concerts or gigs was my church.” So she wrote “Girls Against God,” which they performed for the first time in America on Friday night.

Prancing around the stage, Florence’s vocals were perfect as ever. A rose got stuck on her dress, which she swiftly passed to someone in the crowd, unfazed. She never missed a beat.

“Who is new?” she asked in earnest post-encore, atop the soft beat of “Dog Days,” courtesy of the Machine. “If you’ve been before, you’re gonna teach the newbies this bit.” Having seen the band live a couple of times, my phone was already down. As per the Florence and the Machine ritual, all phones were away for their last song, “Dog Days Are Over.” An intimate end to a beautifully intimate performance.

Bare feet, beautiful sounds, strong drinks—South London Forever.