Here’s what happened/review :
Florence + The Machine. O2 Birmingham Academy. 20th September 2009.
In May this year, I saw Florence + The Machine plays a venue that held about 300 people. Last night, I saw her play in a venue that held, I’d say, around 1000.
Only being signed at the start of this year, Florence has gone from playing tiny venues to selling out tours in a matter of hours.
I remember first hearing about her back in 2007. She was singing with Dev Hynes (Lightspeed Champion) in a lift, the video is still on YouTube, and from seeing that her voice just astounded me.
Before she took to the stage, the PA system played out Dog Days Are Over which everyone sang along to. If this is the reaction a standard album version gets, imagine what happens when it’s done live.
Last night made it clear that Florence Welch posses the best voice in the UK. To be honest, I’d say she has the best voice in the world.
Opening with Kiss With A Fist, everyone went ever so slightly mental. How could you not! But it was Dog Days Are Over and Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) that made the whole place go crazy. I thought that the balcony above us was going to collapse. I suppose being crushed at a Florence gig isn’t that bad to be honest. There’s worse ways to die!
Hearing I’m Not Calling You A Liar and Hurricane Drunk showed the strength of Florence’s voice.
The two songs that left me in awe, as always, were Cosmic Love and Blinding.
Fan girl moment- these two songs mean a hell of a lot to me and for them to be played straight after each other set me off. The only track from Lungs to be not played was Girl With 1 Eye, but Bird Song and Are You Hurting The One You Love? made up for it.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- Birmingham crowds are the best. They are just lovely. Florence + The Machine fans are easily the nicest people you will ever meet. You know why? Because Florence is lovely. How do I know this? Because ladies and gentlemen, after a long time of wishing and waiting- I met Florence Welch. Yep, I met her. I did my best not to make a tool out of myself.
I told her I spent £100 to fly over to see her, and she gave me a drink. We shared the drink, hugged and got a kiss. This has made my life. I don’t care if I sound like a 14 year old, it was amazing.
You sometimes expect singers to be rushed, sign some stuff then leave. Florence didn’t. She is a genuinely lovely person who loves her fans and the love is unconditionally returned.
I should mention the support act because they were brilliant. You probably know who The xx are. They’ve covered Aaliyah’s Hot Like Fire, and did a rather good job of it. I usually hate covers, but there’s always an exception isn’t there.
On record they are flawless, live they are perfect. They deserve to be massive. See, Florence has the best support acts and the best fans in the world.
If you’re seeing her on this tour or in December and it’s your first time- you will be blown away. Her voice, her stage presence, the band-all of it was worth spending over £100 and I’ll be doing it all over again December. Maybe I’ll get another drink!
Oh, and here’s a photo of me and Florence. I apologise for my face. I’ve had it since birth. It’s not improved.
I FINALLY got to meet Florence.
Beat In My Bones. 
I am so incredibly, incredibly jealous.
Ahh you lucky thing! The gig sounds great too, she’s definitely on my list of acts I NEED to see live!
OH MY YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LUCKY!!! Did you wait back stage for hours?
Haha!! Yeah we waited outside for about an hour and half…was totally worth it!x
TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! Have you seen her live again? If so did you wait back stage and did she come? Also do you think she will come back stage this August in Australia? Thanks and sorry for so many questions!!!
I’ve seen her…4 times I think? First time was in May ’09. The venue held about 200 people. Golden Silvers supported, they started to play True Romance and like 3 girls ran past me. One with red hair, put her hand on my shoulder and said “Excuse me” so I moved. Then I looked to my left and Flo was dancing with 2 friends. I freaked out a bit and I’m sure I accidently slapped my best friend- she reacted the same. So weird yet the coolest thing ever. Seeing her dance in the crowd during the support act. She was going mental. Amazing. Sorry about the story haha.
The last time I saw her was a month ago but apparently she left as soon as her set finished? How big is the venue she’s playing?
Usually there aren’t many people waiting at the end. Although, a wee hint- try getting to the venue very early like…early afternoon maybe? You might see her going to the venue to soundcheck or something?
x
Thanks! Love the story I know if that happened to me I would be freaking out and going crazy!!! The venue is festival hall have you heard of it? I have been trying to find out but this is all I could find : file:///Users/alyssia/Desktop/28000s_a.gif . Sorry it’s from my desktop so that’s why it isn’t actually a website! You don’t have to answer this question but what country do you live in don’t worry I’m not a weird person I just want to know if she comes backstage to certain places if you know what I mean? Anyway I am definitely waiting for a long amount of time!!! Have you waited back stage every time you saw her? This is my first time seeing Florence live so I am extremely excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks! Love the story I know if that happened to me I would be freaking out and going crazy!!! The venue is festival hall have you heard of it? I have been trying to find out but this is all I could find : file:///Users/alyssia/Desktop/28000s_a.gif . Sorry it’s from my desktop so that’s why it isn’t actually a website! You don’t have to answer this question but what country do you live in don’t worry I’m not a weird person I just want to know if she comes backstage to certain places if you know what I mean? Anyway I am definitely waiting for a long amount of time!!! Have you waited back stage every time you saw her? This is my first time seeing Florence live so I am extremely excited!!!
Sorry they won’t let me send my comment I will break it into two!
Thanks! Love the story I know if that happened to me I would be freaking out and going crazy!!! The venue is festival hall have you heard of it? I have been trying to find out but this is all I could find : file:///Users/alyssia/Desktop/28000s_a.gif . Sorry it’s from my desktop so that’s why it isn’t actually a website!
You don’t have to answer this question but what country do you live in don’t worry I’m not a weird person I just want to know if she comes backstage to certain places if you know what I mean? Anyway I am definitely waiting for a long amount of time!!! Have you waited back stage every time you saw her? This is my first time seeing Florence live so I am extremely excited!!!
I live in the UK. She came out in Birmingham but not in Manchester or Wolverhampton. But this was when she was starting out. She probably has places to be….afterparties to attend haha!
I honestly don’t know if she’ll come out or not. It’s her second tour of Australia isn’t it? I know she was there early this year. Maybe because she’s travelled so far, she may come out?
x
That is very true she travel far and she has sooooo many fans here! I have asked my dad if we can wait back stage he said yes but is not as keen to wait for many hours half of one is probably enough for him hehe! Yeah she probably does have after parties so maybe she will go straight to those (I hope not)! I am still shocked you got to meet Florence!!! I am still soooooo jealous of you! How long did you spend time with her? I am obviously still going to wait no matter what! I keep obsessing about meeting her hehe which is probably bad if I don’t meet her hehe!Do you know a website indicating when Florence will arrive at the airport? Anyway thanks for all the help it is a week till I see her live!!!!! I can’t wait!
I think she was with us all for about half an hour. She took photos and signed things. She was just lovely =] x
Do you know any websites saying her plane arrivals??? What is the date of the concert when you met her? Thanks for everything!
I have no idea what airport she’ll arrive at or fly from…I don’t stalk haha. I met her September last year x
Haha! Yeah my dads friend suggested waiting at the airport etc. Thanks for all the help you have been great! Are you a member on her site? Maybe we could add each other? When did you first here about Florence? What other music do you recommend or like? Anyway thanks for everything (again).
No problem =]
I signed up like 3 times on her site, but I have no idea what my username or password is haha. Useless! I found her by accident actually. It was about 3 years ago and I was watching some videos by Lightspeed Champion. And there was a video of him singing with a girl and her voice just blew me away- it was Florence! So I just searched for her and got a few demos…3 years later- she’s everywhere! I’ve been writing about her on here since I set it up haha.
I listen to a lot of stuff. Most of it is weird haha but some of the less weird stuff I listen to is The xx, Ellie Goulding, Marina & The Diamonds, Eliza Doolittle, Metric, Mystery Jets…stuff like that =] x
Thanks for all your help!!!!!!! I also liked most of your music!!!!!!!!!! Oh and Florence is TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN’T WAIT! I MADE HER SOME LUNGS WHICH SHE WILL RECEIVE IF SHE COMES BACKSTAGE!!!!!!!!!Thanks again!
I don’t know what the time difference is, but I hope you have/had a lovely time =] x
Florence was amazing, extraordinary, mind-blowing, wonderful and yeah I got to meet her!!!!!!!! At first we thought she was just going to drive off (she did but..) then she saw me holding the lungs I made with a really sad face (I am 11 and was the youngest person at her concert. Some people we saw were shocked I was 11). She signed the lungs I made ( I don’t think she realised they were for her) and my CD. She also gave me a hug! She only signed my stuff and another girls. I think she was running late for a party because she couldn’t pose for a photo! This was the best night of my life! Thanks for everything!!!!!!
Aww amazing! Glad you met her =] x