- Music
- 02 Sep 19
The multi-platinum superstar capped off a stellar weekend with her trademark style, grace and theatrics.
Taking to the stage in bare feet and a flowing dress, Florence Welch made her triumphant return to Electric Picnic - and once again proved a force to be reckoned with. Her unique brand of alternative pop is officially a decade old this year, but from her 2009 debut Lungs to last year's stunningly vulnerable High as Hope, the South Londoner's sound is difficult to attach to any fixed time or space. With irresistably soulful energy and an arsenal of mega-hits tucked under her belt, there are few other contemporary acts who could close out the weekend quite like Florence + The Machine.
Driven to emotional extremes by a combination of exhaustion, the session and the looming threat of Monday morning, the Sunday crowd was perfectly primed and ready to follow Florence on whatever kind of spiritual rollercoaster she was prepared to take them on. She exuded bold confidence and an expressive femininity as she twirled and leapt her way through the setlist. In between roar-a-long crowd pleasers like 'Dog Days Are Over' and 'You Got The Love', Florence addressed the masses in her gentle, otherworldly voice - about everything from being mindful to championing women in society.
Aside from the belters, Florence and the band also took time to look inwards, with inventive arrangements from her more recent catalogue.'Patricia', a tribute to Patti Smith, was a stand out from her High As Hope material, while 'Jenny Of Oldstones', a track she recorded for the eighth season of Game of Thrones was a touching, stripped back moment.
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With a moving set full of universal appeal, Florence + The Machine captured the vibrant, inclusive energy of the festival - and left revellers counting down the days to Electric Picnic 2020.