The place was electric. It was Halloween. “This is the start of our American tour and I can’t think of a better way to start than in Boston.”, said Ms. Welch at the close of the opening set’s penultimate song. HOB roared. Florence was so over.
Florence + the Machine are massive. If for only the sold out House of Blues crowd; but every face knew every word to everyone of those songs. It was an hour long reverie. For the set and encore’s approximate 60 minutes duration, Florence stood before the faithful, her gathered masses. She had the attention of the congregation.
And from the vestments (The band wore skeleton suits. Florence, the dress of a flame-haired corpse girl.) of the assembled Machine, to the performance of Florence Welch (arms waved, arms reaching out, hands held high) to the set’s subject matter (as remarked by Florence herself) “hell. coffins. blindness. werewolves.” It felt almost religious, something between ritual and ceremony. And it was Halloween.
“Dog Days Are Over” sounded enormous, “Cosmic Love” towered and soared, and “Kiss with a Fist” straight knocked us out.
Florence is a star. The UK knows. The US soon will. This larger venue North American tour (NY’s Terminal 5, LA’s Wiltern) should help.
Florence + the Machine – You’ve Got the Love (HaHaHa Remix) Florence + the Machine – Dog Days Are Over (Killabit DnB Remix) Florence + the Machine – My Boy Builds Coffins (Demo)Reviewed by b3
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