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'Symphony of Lungs' to be released digitally and on vinyl
Florence + the Machine have announced the upcoming release of a stunning vinyl, a physical album, and digital tracks from their remarkable performance, titled ‘Symphony of Lungs,’ at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms in September 2024. This performance features exquisite orchestration by the talented Jules Buckley, enhancing the already captivating sound of their debut album ‘Lungs’.
Notably, one of the vinyl editions will come in an exclusive red colour, which will be available for purchase through the official Florence + the Machine Store. Make sure to mark your calendars and secure your copy for this unique musical experience. Digital release will be on 25th October 2024, with physical editions on 14th March 2025.
You can preorder here.
![Florence + the Machine stun at the BBC Proms with orchestral 'Symphony of Lungs' [Review and Gallery]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cae446dda0f6000019a5769/1726151493368-4X57WGF6O6C9FVTDL4FD/Florence1%402000x1270.jpg)
Florence + the Machine stun at the BBC Proms with orchestral 'Symphony of Lungs' [Review and Gallery]
When The BBC announced that Florence + the Machine would be returning to the stage for their one and only live performance in 2024 at the BBC Proms (69), we knew it would be something unmissable. Last night’s spectacle proved us right, and a whole lot more!
Photo: Andy Paradise / BBC
Set at the Royal Albert Hall (a venue Florence + the Machine have played twice before for the Teenage Cancer Trust, last in 2012), the band took the audience - both in-person and on BBC Radio 3’s live stream - on a whirlwind of nostalgia.
Florence herself noted the throwbacks the band had lined up for the gobsmacked audience:
“So many of these songs were written when I was a teenager or in my very early 20s… we threw so many good songs off the album and they became bonus tracks!”
She also stated the incredible range of the album, and we witnessed this first hand through the gentle plucking of an acoustic abridged version of ‘Hurricane Drunk’, to the swelling violin and organ of ‘Blinding’, and power of ‘Howl’.
Photo: Andy Paradise / BBC
At many occasions, the audience just couldn’t stay seated any longer - ‘Rabbit Heart’ saw most of the hall leap to their feet, ready to receive Florence’s offering as she raised it (and the roof) up. ‘Dog Days’ and ‘You’ve Got the Love’ received equally energetic receptions. Even as songs came to their close, there were several standing ovations as tears were brought to the eyes of many of the onlookers; the gentle ebbs and powerful flows of Jules Buckley’s orchestral arrangements heightening an already hard-hitting album.
Not only did Buckley’s orchestra so poignantly and carefully reimagine the entirety of ‘Lungs’ with medieval undertones, they also stepped up to the challenge of some special treats, including ‘Bird Song’, ‘Hardest of Hearts’, ‘Swimming’ and ‘Falling’ - many of which Florence had not played since 2010. A treat to behold.
You can listen to the full performance now on BBC Sounds.
The video version will be available to watch at the conclusion of the Proms on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two, available for 1 year.
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'Drumming Song’
‘My Boy Builds Coffins’
‘You Got the Love’
‘Bird Song Intro’
‘Bird Song’
‘Swimming’
‘I’m Not Calling You a Liar’
‘Kiss With a Fist’
‘Howl’
‘Girl With One Eye’
‘Hardest of Hearts’
‘Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)’
‘Blinding’
‘Hurricane Drunk’
‘Cosmic Love’
‘Between Two Lungs’
‘Dog Days Are Over’
‘Falling’
Lungs celebrates its 10-year anniversary
As Lungs, the incredible debut album by Florence + the Machine, turns 10 years old today, the band release some special surprises…
(C) Tom Beard
Lungs, the ground-breaking debut album by Florence + the Machine, turned 10 years old today (3rd July 2019). To celebrate, Florence + the Machine have released lots of little goodies for all the fans to enjoy, showing that the album continues to influence and shape modern music, even to this day.
Released on the 3rd July 2009, Lungs was a “scrapbook” of songs written by Florence Welch during her teenage years up until its release when she was 22. Kiss With A Fist was the first single released from the album way back in 2008, but it was Dog Days Are Over and subsequently Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) and You’ve Got The Love which sent Florence + the Machine high into the dizzying heights of success. Its critical acclaim won the album a BRIT Award in 2010, as well as a Mercury Prize nomination and 3x platinum status in the United Kingdom.
To celebrate, Florence + the Machine are releasing an anniversary edition of the LP - a red colour LP, cassette, and an exclusive double vinyl box set.
As well as the new LP release, Florence + the Machine uploaded the much-loved but rare demo versions of two pre-Lungs songs: Donkey Kosh and My Best Dress, which are now available to listen to on all streaming sites and YouTube.
Lastly, let’s not forget the tributes you’ve all paid to the album to mark its monumental decade. Check out this wonderful podcast which goes through Lungs and its memories track-by-track.
“This album is so incredibly poetic; I must’ve listened to it a hundred times from start to finish in just the first month after it’s release. My favourites have changed throughout the years, each song’s meaning hits me differently as I’ve grown, but Between Two Lungs is the definition of music as art. Thank you, Florence + The Machine, for continuing to share your gift with us for the last decade.”
“One of the best pop/rock album EVER!!!! So fresh, creative and powerful!! And the vids, the remixes... She entered the ball with a bang and never lost it! She’s mesmerising on stage!! Happy birthday to a funking great album!!!”
If you have any tributes or words you’d like to add, feel free to comment and we’ll add them in!