CONCERT REVIEW: Florence + the Machine @ Festival Pier, 6/20

The dog days may be over but summer was in full swing for British songstress Florence and the Machine on Festival Pier last night. The cool summer evening on the Delaware waterfront was the perfect stage for the mysterious redhead's bellowing power ballads and zany antics.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Florence + the Machine @ Festival Pier, 6/20

POSTED: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 10:00 AM

Filed Under: Music | Concert Review concert photos

(MASSIMO A PULCINI )

The dog days may be over but summer was in full swing for British songstress Florence Welch and her Machines on Festival Pier Monday night. The cool summer evening on the Delaware waterfront was the perfect stage for the mysterious redhead’s bellowing power ballads and zany antics. She swayed and gyrated with the gentle breeze and impishly pranced around, working both the crowd and her vocal chords masterfully.

Gingers do indeed have soul. Florence belted and howled out into the open air, performing on a stage adorned with flowery tapestries and birdcage lamps, backed by an impressive array of musicians and one giant harp. Ironically enough, her speaking voice was as gentle as the subtle plucking of that harp, a huge contrast to her soulful vocal syle that engulfed the venue in its bluesy vibrato. She continuously addressed the crowd between songs, admiring the venue and it's beautiful riverside view that she had from her perch on stage.

Florence’s set covered most of her debut album, Lungs, with songs like the dark opening number “My Boy Builds Coffins” and the pounding rhythm of “Drumming Song” sticking out as memorable tunes. The group also unveiled a few new tracks, including one in her two song encore. The show ended with the band’s hit radio single, “Dog Days Are Over,” a fitting finale that had the entire arena bouncing, dancing, and singing along with Florence, bringing an end to the show and the gorgeous night that we were able to enjoy in Philly.

Posted by Massimo Pulcini @ 10:00 AM Permalink | 1 comment

1 comments

Comments (1)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:36 PM, 06/22/2011

Why didn't you review SADE her concert had a whole lot more style than someone who "howled out into the open air" Sade does not have to sing all her songs from her debut album. She's been singing forever and still sounds fresh. The Philadelphia music reviews really let me down this week.

— vrb1955

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