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.