The way I enjoy music changed three years ago. This was when I discovered Florence + the Machine.
The London-based band’s music can be classified as belonging to the alternative genre. The group has released three albums: Lungs (2009); Ceremonials (2011), and How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (2015).
To put it simply, Florence + the Machine’s music is magical. And much of this magic comes from the band’s front woman, Florence Welch.
Florence’s unique storytelling abilities, her strong on-stage presence, and, of course, her voice make her a star.
The vast majority of the band’s songs are either co-written or written entirely by Florence. Each song is unique, transporting the listener into a wonderland of emotion.
“Seven Devils,” a favorite song of mine, makes me feel as if I am getting ready for battle when I listen to it. In my case, the battle is usually an upcoming essay or a test. Either way, I feel ready and motivated to take on whatever after hearing the song.
In contrast, “What the Water Gave Me” has a very calming effect on me. The lyrics and music are soothing; it is the perfect song for winding down.
Both of these songs come the same album, Ceremonials. Florence’s songwriting talent allows her to give her listeners the experience of a wide array of emotions.
Florence is more than a recording artist; she is also a true performance artist. A Florence + the Machine show will usually feature Florence prancing and running around stage, holding her arms up to the skies and interacting with her fans.
Florence gets into such a zone during her performances that she sometimes runs into trouble. During the band’s performance at Coachella this past summer, she jumped off of the stage and broke her foot.
Elise Miller, a student who attended Florence + the Machine’s recent concert in Berkeley, shared her experience. “She asked fans to take off their shirts and throw them up onto the stage. Then she began putting on the shirts that were thrown on stage.”
Elise continued, “Florence spent the whole show running around stage and never once ran out of breath. At one point she singled out a group of fans to sing to. All of their faces had a look of shock and awe. It was awesome.”
Florence + the Machine’s music is not very mainstream at this time. My hope is that more and more people will become exposed to the group’s wonderful, magical music and enjoy just as much I have.
Note: This article was featured in the Winter 2015 print edition of The Prospector.
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