MELT Festival - the Fan Club perspective

It has been just over a month since we attended the vibrant, other-worldly Melt Festival in Germany. Whilst the whole festival was amazing, we are obviously still reeling from the performance delivered by a certain red-haired sorceress – Florence + the Machine.

Our day started with the very easy commute to Ferropolis from our rented flat in nearby Dessau. Of course, we blasted songs from all her albums whilst loudly chanting to them, so that passers-by knew we were unmistakably on our way to see Florence + the Machine. In true hardcore Florence + the Machine fan fashion, we decided to wait at the front row of the main stage from the opening time until the end of their set. The eight hour wait, in which we also witnessed some other incredible acts, was whole-heartedly worth it.

The first act was ‘The Internet’, and since the day I have been listening to their music, as I’m sure other attendees have been too. Then came a band called ‘Superorganism’, and they gave one of the most captivating and strangest concerts I've ever seen. Three members came onstage with bells in raincoats on a very hot summers day. Their lead singer had one of the largest personalities I've ever seen, and I have since bought their new album. We then saw an Austrian act called ‘Yung Hurn’, and although I could not understand the German he was rapping in, it was clear to see he was loved as the crowd was wild. I have been intrigued since I saw him and have been watching his great music videos. Then came the rap artist ‘Tyler, The Creator’, delivering another amazing performance. He stood onstage alone with no band, and just a very bright screen behind him which was all he needed. The crowd loved him and for good reason. After Tyler, we knew what was coming next. Florence + the Machine’s crew began to bring out her set. The brand new pink drum set, Rob’s new era guitars, and Isa’s infamous keyboard which she can just about see over. With Flo’s microphone-stand stood tall at the front, if the crowd didn’t know already, the set made it obvious who was coming next. 

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After the long wait, the band walked out to the explosion of enthusiastic cheering,, and opened with a fan-favourite: ‘Between Two Lungs’, perhaps due to the fact their debut album ‘Lungs’ was released 10 years ago this year. Whilst a great opener, the previous ‘What The Water Gave Me’ seemed to be sorely missed by many fans, as the energy really did set you up for the rest of the gig. This was followed by the massive song ‘Queen Of Peace’, and any Florence fan reading knows the pure energy that comes with this song. After a few more

songs, she played the lead single from the new album ‘High As Hope’ called ‘Hunger’. The live energy was palpable, with a hard hitting opening line, and it was amazing to hear the crowd chanting ‘WE ALL HAVE A HUNGER’. ‘Hunger’ was followed by a few more songs that are now classics in the setlist, then another new song ‘Patricia’ was played; a love song for Patti Smith, where Florence confesses her love for the artist over a constant driving drum beat. “I drink too much coffee and think of you often”; perhaps many Flows can relate to this statement, if the crowd is anything to go by. 'Patricia' was followed by 100 Years, another new song, which has an epic mid-interlude, where Flo shows off her dance moves she had been practicing throughout the hiatus. After the classic 'Ship To Wreck', she chanted the most epic break-up song ever written, ‘What Kind of Man’, and jumped down into the audience, where of course everyone in the crowd wanted to touch Flo or just be close to her. Luckily, perhaps due to the energy our part of the crowd was exuding, she ran to us and practically put her entire body into the crowd to give and take in energy. My friend Dominic was lucky enough to be chosen by Florence as the infamous ‘man’ during the song; a moment where Florence touches heads with a man in the audience and aggressively sings to him.

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She stayed in the crowd for 'Delilah', and held onto fans to help her walk along the front row, then darted onstage again to sing her arguably best-known song ‘You've Got The Love’, a cover of Candi Staton. Her encore was 'Big God', of which you can find a live stream on our Facebook page. It was the second time it had ever been performed live and the fans were very keen to hear it. We were amazed that Florence actually sang gurgling outro; the part we refer to as ‘The Grudge Part’ of the song. She finished the concert with Shake It Out, a fan favourite where everyone lets go of their troubles and joins the communal exorcism of fear, pain and regret. It is fair to say that everyone who attended Florence + the Machine’s set thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It’s rare to see even the crowd at the back so engaged with the music and the performance, but Florence and her band have the ability to command a stage with such grace and assertiveness, that it’s hard to not get involved. Being one of the few concerts the band have done in 2018, it was this performance that truly marked the band’s return.

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 We are excited to see what their tours will bring us. We want to take this opportunity to thank Melt Festival for being so accommodating to us, and taking us seriously even though we are a fan-run site. We loved having the opportunity to attend Melt Festival as press, and we greatly appreciate it. Melt Festival as a whole is amazing and brings so many people, from all backgrounds and tastes of music, together. The campsite atmosphere electric, and on-par with the likes of Glastonbury without the mud and claustrophobia. We're even thinking of attending next year, even if Florence + the Machine aren't playing!

Thank you all for reading.

Charlotte (FATM Fan Club Admin)

Florence + the Machine's Musical Thrill Ride - Live Review (Xfinity Center, Mansfield)

Guest-author Lori D Wright presents an exclusive review of Florence + the Machine's roaring concert at Mansfield's Xfinity Center (Massachusetts), 7th June 2016.

Photography exclusively shot for us by Matthew Shelter (Stage Light Photography)

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(C) Matthew Shelter

The day was finally here. And could it be any more fitting that on this springy/summer day, the evening forecast had the possibility of thunderstorms and hail? This is not surprising when I know Florence is the goddess of the earthy elements; the signs of air and water adorn How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful's cover and all its merchandise. I had waited all year for the particular tour, and I had concerns the set would be cut short. Magically, as if Flo herself had smiled upon the venue, a double rainbow appeared as the sun dropped in the sky. Fittingly that night, she wore the yellow gown to declare there would be no rain that night, only sun and love.

As the smoke blew across the stage, the band began to take their places and the anticipation was palpable. My heart was racing knowing our Goddess would be walking out. Cue screams as she slowly walks out of the fog barefoot onto the stage.  She walked out slowly, with a deliberate stride, approached the microphone, leaned over, hair over her face, arms outreached and with a subtle flick of her finger HERE WE GO! Time it took us…The song starts with only her voice escalating into the sky building up to the bass thumping crescendo until she gets to the chorus, voice thundering as if she were the daughter of Zeus himself. LAY ME DOWN…

Her voice was spectacular. I had worried the humidity would take its toll but it didn’t. Her voice, crystal clear, rang out true. Soft when it needed to be, then full out hurricane force when she asked for it. A couple of times I thought she would blow out the speakers and truly believed she could. Some artists don't sound as well live but not this band. It was exquisite, whether soft and low or full force. Flo’s voice never wavered, never cracked. It was beyond beauty. Yes, I cried.

The stage seemed so small, I kept looking at it, thinking Flo needed room to run free, that the small space couldn't contain her as she ran, leapt, spun, and thrashed about. The band rocked and rocked HARD! Chris looked like a man possessed. A figure hunched over the drums, sticks flying, hair plastered to his head - did I mention it was humid? Especially during Spectrum, he pounded the heck out of them! Rob’s guitar sounded so rich - I didn't know a guitar could produce such a deep, luscious sound. There are no words to tell you how much I love the two backup singers - their voices lift Flo and support her voice in ways I didn't know were possible. I love the blending of their voices. The 3-piece female horn section too… my God, I love them - the 3 horns transcend the set list into another world.

When the first beats of Rabbit Heart started my heart began to race again because I knew Flo would take off through the audience. I was able to position myself at the top of the aisle she had to run past on her return to the stage. I watched as she jumped on the sound table as the song closed out. I caught a quick glimpse of her running back to the stage. The more important part of this moment is a mother and daughter (perhaps 9, 10 years old?) were right there with me. Burned into my mind and heart is the mother pointing Flo out to the daughter, followed by the security person putting the little one on his shoulders so she could see Flo as she sings “this is a gift”. Truly a gift indeed.

As she began to sing Cosmic Love I noticed the backup singers and the drummer had exited the stage leaving Flo alone to sing. She toned back to showcase the simple beauty of the song and her voice without the big flourish of the drums and the lights. I actually prefer the full band on this song like she did during the Glastonbury set. It seems more emotional to me - I love the horns, bass, and drums in that version.

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She acknowledged the crowd, asking who has been with her since Lungs, then welcomes the new fans describing the difference in the albums - the early ones with more screaming compared to HBHBHB, in which she sings a bit more.

Delilah was intense – she ran throughout the song as if running to something or from someone, yellow gown flowing/rippling as she ran. It looks chaotic but Flo FEELS the music, the brass section arrangements, the drums, the bass, the background singing, every nuance of the music. What could be seen as frenetic dance movements are really just her mind, body and soul in tune with each movement of the song.

She slows it down a bit - going into an acoustic Sweet Nothing. There is just her and the harp but you can see her hands moving as if she’s conducting an invisible, internal orchestra while she sings.

Before breaking into HBHBHB - she asked we put away our phones to enjoy the moment and be present. To basically fall in love with the moment as she had fallen in love with everything around her inspiring HBHBHB. She pointed out that there is always one guy in the crowd that doesn’t put away their phone. She asked that no-one be that guy, and telling us she would know. From my vantage point 3 rows behind the GA mosh pit from what I could see the crowd complied. During the song the set was a luscious shimmering blue behind her as she twirls during the song. She looks over the audience as she sings the last few notes of the song. The lights dim. the backdrop is washed in blue and the spotlight silhouettes her from behind a she does the HBHBHB dance. After the song ended she admitted she was dizzy from hitting herself in the face; hard I could hear the smack of her fist in her hand all the way to my seat in the crowd! Her poor feet; they must also be tired after running up and down the venue for 2 hours!

For her prior tour dates up until tonight, Flo has included Various Storms & Saints. She tells us how personal it is to her, that it took a lot of persuading to add it to the record. She tells us she is ready to share it now. She sings alone, eyes closed throughout most of the song. It was very moving.

Then she returns to rock on with Mother, Queen of Peace, and Spectrum - at one point asking us if we are ready to dance. You know we were! One girl at the front gave Flo a flower crown which she wore. When the song was over she ran back to return it. It was so cute - the girl saying no, it’s for you and Flo saying it looks better on the girl. Of course Flo got her way and the girl was left with one heck of a souvenir!

During the beginning strains of You Got The Love - she implores us to take the love we have out into the world. To spread it to others. And again, when the first notes of Dog Days hit, the audience erupted - at this point she commanded that the audience turn to one another and embrace each other, touch each other’s faces. The older gentleman (had to be in his 60s), turned to my friend – smiled, threw up his hands, shrugged then hugged her! Flo asked the audience to take off an article of clothing and wave it over their heads for love and peace. The audience happily complied with many at the front of the stage showering her with clothes. She had a bunch of shirts in her arms and started waving them as she ran back and forth on the stage.

Too quickly we are at the encore: What Kind of Man followed by Drumming Song. Flo violently commits to this song with body and soul. Throwing herself backwards across the stage as the backup singers sing “back, back, back against the wall”. I don't know how she stayed on her feet. At the end of WKOM she collapses on the stage with such force one worries that she may have broken another bone, but as the stage turns a brilliant red she rises like a phoenix as the first beats of Drumming Song shake the theater. With each thump of the drum the lights flash a blood crimson red as the lighting turns the entire theater into a deep luscious red, pounding out a heartbeat as a background to Flo’s voice. At the end she runs and lunges toward the crowd with such intensity, she looked as though she would fall in.

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I was worried that the crowd were not true FATM fans and wouldn't know the words. I didn’t want Flo to be disappointed by the US crowds. But they knew most of the words and sang along during the night. The biggest response was for Dog Days – a huge roar of recognition rose. I wish it had been that way for every song! I am disappointed I did not buy a general admission ticket to stand in the pit. I’m 5’2 and have a hard time seeing over people but the mosh pit group seemed very orderly and I think I would have been okay in there. The venue could improve upon the large video screens; they were very grainy. In this day of HD I don't think there is any excuse for not having those updated.

I knew I had to see this tour because of the lighting and how it interacts with the 3 foot mirrors that dangle behind the band. Renowned lighting designer, Rob Sinclair designed a 48ft by 28ft ‘kinetic wall’ that shimmers and is in constant motion. Words can’t describe the effect the lights have when they hit them - gives me shivers with every song. The set designer and lighting director really designed a beauty of a concert with the lighting matching the beat of the music, the crescendos, and Chris’ driving drum beats. I honestly don't think there has ever been a more potent combination of performer, band, songs, stage, lighting - I think this is a perfect storm of elements making this the perfect concert - just plain perfection.

Watching Flo and her command of the stage, it’s hard to believe this is only the 3rd album. She rules the stage (reminds me of Elvis back in the early 70’s). I could watch this particular set over and over. The crowd watches her every move, responding to her stage direction - soften our voices then build up as the tension of the music increase to a deafening crescendo. Watching this connection between the crowd and Florence, one sees the parallel to Florence’s song Conductor. From the Xfinity Center at least, we know that she is truly the conductor of this musical thrill ride.

Setlist

What The Water Gave Me

Ship To Wreck

Rabbit Heart

Shake It Out

Delilah

Sweet Nothing

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Cosmic Love

Various Storms & Saints

Mother

Queen of Peace

Spectrum

You've Got The Love

Dog Days Are Over

What Kind of Man

Drumming Song