Flo Live
Missing Florence and The Machine at the Levi’s/FADER Fort was one of my biggest regrets of CMJ last year. Seeing her in such an intimate space must have been an amazing experience. So I was super excited to catch Miss Welch at Le Poisson Rouge last night for what will probably be one of her last small-scale NYC shows, as Terminal 5 is the next stop on her tour (she’s playing tonight, and it’s sold out.)
Now, this is kind of embarrassing, but I was actually a little emotional in her presence. I think the way I feel about Florence is the way little kids feel about Disney stars. Fine, I wasn’t hysterical or anything, but I can’t say the same for some of the other people in the crowd. And it’s warranted. Her voice is a force to be reckoned with. I’ve never heard such soaring and unrestrained vocals live. And Florence herself is quite the showman – and the girl can certainly hold her liquor. She took at least three tequila shots on stage between sipping cocktails, beating on drums, dancing and jumping around, and engaging the crowd.
Florence played favorites from her debut album Lungs (as well as the deluxe version of the album), but also performed new material. Overall, the show was an experience from start to finish and forthebeat is placing Florence among our favorite leading ladies like Karen O., Natasha Khan, Lykke Li, La Roux, Karin Dreijer Andersson, etc.
Florence and The Machine – Cosmic Love
And, of course, I can’t talk about Flo without mentioning The xx remix of “You’ve Got the Love” — my favorite remix of 2009.
Know what you mean about seeing her live, I had the same reaction myself. She puts on some show.
After this tour it’ll be the last of small venues for sure. I’ve seen her play small venues in Ireland – catching her Toronto gig tomorrow, which was upgraded to a larger venue, hope its as good!