Florence took the stage at 8:45 in a flowing red gown that was backlit by a spotlight near the drum riser. This effectively rendered her gown diaphanous although fans in a few seats may have needed sunglasses. Like a Wagnerian fairy sprite she skipped and swirled through an 80 minute set that included new XRT favorites like “What the Water Gave Me” and “Shake It Out.”
Florence sang “It’s always darkest before the dawn” to a sold-out crowd that included both shrieking teenagers and fans old enough to compare her soaring vocals to Kate Bush. Florence has a big voice and the band to match. And in that realm, she seems to skirt that rare line between soul-belter and prog-rock goddess. She was engaging and theatrical. At one point she introduced the fan who brought her an elaborate cookie construction and insisted that a crew member fetch it from her dressing room to show the crowd. Florence and the Machine seems to inspire an unapologetic devotion. From my perch, I could see the traditional tension between the devotees who need to dance along with the singer and the devotees who prefer to appreciate the music while resting their legs. That being said, most of the crowd on the first floor stood through the show.
Opening the show, Laura Marling stood cross-legged with a nylon string guitar, gathered the audience in the palm of her hand and held them there. Roundly touted as the next big thing, Laura sang with poise and confidence that belied her 20 years. She confessed while tuning her guitar that she wasn’t much for stage patter and then pattered like a pro. XRT listeners will be familiar with the starkly stunning “Sophia.”
Laura is already an accomplished tunesmith and wordsmith. In her dressing room after her performance, she could be found working on a book of Times of London crossword puzzles. The trashing of hotel rooms will have to wait.
Redeem this gallery’s keyword here.
Free MP3 Download: Florence + The Machine, “Shake it Out” (The Weeknd Remix)
Audio: Laura Marling Performs Live From Studio X
Watch Florence + The Machine “Shake It Out” In New Video
Listen: Florence + The Machine, “What The Water Gave Me”
Video: Florence + The Machine Cover Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away”
Diary: Face To Face With Florence + The Machine
Vote: What’s Your Summer Anthem?
Video: Florence + The Machine Cover Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away”
Tessa
December 5, 2011 8:25 pm
Amazing! Thank you so much for mentioning the cookies and for hosting such an amazing holiday show! What a treat to have you there. Does anyone have any pictures of that moment by chance?
http://teafortessa.blogspot.com/2011/12/florence-machine-chicago-theatre.html