Florence and the Machine
Band form
2007
Florence and The Machine is the name for Florence Welch and her cast of backing musicians. The band has received a great deal of critical acclaim since their inception and were chosen in 2008 as one of the BBC's 'Sound of 2009' shortlist - an honour previously bestowed on the likes of Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Adele. The 2009 contest was won by Little Boots, aka Victoria Hesketh.
Florence Welch: Florence Welch lives in Camberwell, in South London. She grew up listening to her parents' record collection, which included bands such as The Velvet Underground, Love and The Smiths. At school, her teachers often had to reprimand her for singing in class - something she struggled to stop doing.
Florence has stated in the past that her songs are "stories with consequences and weird morality issues."
The Band: The line-up of Florence's band changes regularly. In the past, it has included Devonte Hynes, better known as 'Dev', from Lightspeed Champion and formerly a member of the Test-Icicles.
The most recent line-up of the band includes Robert Ackroyd on guitar, Tom Monger on harp, Isabella Summers on keyboards and Christopher Lloyd Hayden on drums.
Starting Out: When Florence and The Machine started out, they were playing in London venues such as The Lock Tavern and for people such as Blue Flowers and Filthy Few. On some occasions, her band members would fail to turn up to the gigs, so she would do them acapella.
In June 2008, Florence and The Machine released 'Kiss With A Fist' on 7" vinyl and as a download. Their next release was in December 2008, when they released the single 'Dog Days Are Over'. The band's third single, 'You've Got The Love' was released in January 2009.
Their debut album Lungs was released on 3rd July 2009 and has sold three million copies worldwide. They also won the MasterCard British Album award at the Brits in 2010 and were also shortlisted for the 2009 Mercury Prize.
On 28th October 2011 the band released their second studio album Ceremonials which was recorded in Abbey Road Studios. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums chart making it their second consecutive number one in the UK charts. It also made it to number six on the US Billboard 200 making it the band's first top ten album in the US. The lead single for the album was Shake It Out and has been the bands most successful single to date.
Florence and the Machine released their third studio album 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful' on the 29th May 2015. The album offers a different feel to their previous two albums as it is more stripped - down instrumentally and deals lyrically with personal conflicts and struggles. The album debuted at number one in the UK album Chart once again making it their third consecutive number - one album. The band released four singles: What Kind of Man, Ship to Wreck, Queen of Peace and Delilah. To support this album the band have also released a series of Vincent Haycock - directed music videos which each have a different chapter and together make up a story named The Odyssey.
Critical Acclaim: Both the BBC and NME were quick to pick up on Florence and The Machine's potential. The band was chosen to perform in the NME Awards Tour 2009, alongside Friendly Fires, White Lies and Glasvegas. The tour passes through a number of large university venues and 'Academy' venues.
In February 2009, Florence and The Machine received the Critics' Choice Award at the Brit Awards. This particular award is chosen by a panel of experts and music industry insiders. Adele won the award the previous year and went on to sell over 1 million copies of her album.
The 2018 Mercury Prize Nominees Are Revealed
By Ed Biggs in Music / Festivals on 26 July 2018
A comparatively commercial list of 12 nominees for the 2018 Mercury Prize was revealed on Thursday.
Arctic Monkeys have become the joint second most-nominated artist in the history of The Mercury Prize, with their sixth studio album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino landing them their fourth nod as the 2018 shortlist was announced this morning.
Revealed on BBC Radio 6’s mid-morning show on Thursday (July 26th), Arctic Monkeys join PJ Harvey with four career nominations, both behind Radiohead’s five. The Sheffield-based group won in 2006 for their debut Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, while Harvey is the only artist to have ever won the Mercury Prize twice (in 2001 and 2011).
They are joined on the 2018 shortlist by a couple of other second-time nominees. Everything Everything received a nod for their fourth record A Fever Dream, as did Wolf Alice for a second consecutive time with sophomore album Visions of a Life. Florence and the Machine’s fourth record High As Hope was also nominated, giving lead singer Florence Welch the third nomination of her career.
Continue reading: The 2018 Mercury Prize Nominees Are Revealed
Album Of The Week: Breathing In Florence And The Machine's Debut Album 'Lungs'
By Holly Mosley in Music / Festivals on 06 July 2018
It's been nine years since Florence and the Machine dropped their stunning first album.
Having just released their fourth album 'High as Hope', Florence and the Machine have remained iconic on the indie pop scene. It all started with their critically acclaimed debut 'Lungs', released on July 3rd 2009 via Island Records, and it just got better and better.
With singles the likes of 'Dog Days Are Over' and 'You Got the Love' becoming particularly noteworthy, it's unsurprising that 'Lungs' peaked at number one on the UK albums chart when it was released nine years ago by a brand new female-fronted indie band from London.
Continue reading: Album Of The Week: Breathing In Florence And The Machine's Debut Album 'Lungs'
Florence And The Machine Announce 'High As Hope' Fall Tour
By Holly Williams in Music / Festivals on 25 May 2018
They embark on a UK and Ireland tour in November.
As they prepare for their show supporting the Rolling Stones in London, Florence & The Machine have just announced a series of UK and Ireland arena dates set to begin this Fall. They are also about to drop their fourth studio album 'High As Hope' this summer, featuring lead single 'Hunger'.
It's been six months since the Stones completed the first set of European sets on their No Filter tour - which began in Germany in September 2017 - and now they are preparing to hit the road again this Spring. They'll be kicking off at Dublin's Croke Park on May 17th, before a double-billing at London Stadium on May 22th and 25th.
Continue reading: The Rolling Stones Invite Florence + The Machine And James Bay On Tour
Florence + The Machine To Headline BBC's Biggest Weekend
By Ed Biggs in Music / Festivals on 05 April 2018
Florence Welch and her band will be closing out the main Welsh leg of the four-day event over the second May bank holiday weekend.
Florence + The Machine will headline the BBC’s upcoming Biggest Weekend event next month in Swansea, marking Florence Welch’s comeback to the live arena.
Welch, who is widely anticipated to reveal her first new music in over three years later in April, will be topping the bill at Singleton Park on Sunday May 27th. She and her band will be joining the likes of Camila Cabello, Taylor Swift, Craig David and Ed Sheeran, who is set to open the event.
It’s set to be the first shows that Florence + The Machine have played in the UK since the world tour behind their third album, 2015’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, wrapped up 21 months ago.
Continue reading: Florence + The Machine To Headline BBC's Biggest Weekend
Florence And The Machine - British Summer Time 2 July 2016 Live Review
By Chloe Dobinson in Music Reviews on 08 July 2016
Florence and the Machine marked a triumphant return to London with a sold out performance at British Summer Time, in Hyde Park on Saturday 2 July 2016. Upon making her entrance to the stage Florence promised a magical set with a homecoming gig in support of her successful 3rd album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful.
Ship to Wreck lightened the mood with Florence owning the stage and being one of the most prominent frontwomen of this generation. Her charismatic and energetic persona is fully showcased as she runs across the stage frantically making the crowd sing along with her.
Continue reading: Florence And The Machine - British Summer Time 2 July 2016 Live Review
Florence Welch and the rest of Florence and the Machine performing at British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park. A number of other standout acts performed on the day including Kendrick Lamar, Cat Power, Blood Orange and Kamasi Washington. London, United Kingdom - Saturday 2nd July 2016
Florence Welch and the rest of Florence and the Machine performing at British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park. A number of other standout acts performed on the day including Kendrick Lamar, Cat Power, Blood Orange and Kamasi Washington. London, United Kingdom - Saturday 2nd July 2016
Chloe Dobinson's Top 10 Albums Of 2015
By Chloe Dobinson in Music / Festivals on 02 January 2016
Chloe Dobinson recaps her favourite albums of 2015
Continue reading: Noel Gallagher Quite Liked Kanye West's Glastonbury Performance, Actually
Florence Welch, Ed Sullivan and Florence and the Machine - Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine Thursday 16th December 2010 at The Late Show With David Letterman New York City, USA
Florence and the Machine - Florence Welch Tuesday 16th February 2010 at Brit Awards London, England