Florence + The Machine Take Over Drury Lane

by | Apr 21, 2022

After a two and half year gap from live performances due to the pandemic, it seemed only right that Florence + The Machine’s first London show since blowing up Hyde Park as part of BST 2019 should take place in the rather intimate confines of Dury Lane’s Theatre Royal.

Florence + The Machine @ Theatre Royal

Florence Welch & co. are back on May 13th with fifth album Dance Fever – touted as sounding like her 2009 debut ‘Lungs’ but “with more self-knowledge”. And in preparation for a much larger tour that continues with further intimate shows in Los Angeles and New York later this month before making its mark on the European festival scene over the summer, ahead of a full-on arena tour across the US, UK and Ireland, tonight felt just right.

Florence + The Machine @ Theatre Royal

Dance Fever itself went into production just as the pandemic hit the world with all of its disruptive force, but how much of the album’s contents diverged due to that versus the themes already laid down by Welch is a question for her.
In a recent interview with British Vogue Welch went into depth about the pull of motherhood, the limited time she might have to pursue that calling alongside the need to pump out the songs that make up Dance Fever given the confidence as an artist she now embodies five records deep into an undeniably enormously successful career.

Florence + The Machine @ Theatre Royal

Tonight’s 2,196-capacity sold-out show kicked off with 2011 record Ceremonials lead single Shake It Out, starting the night out in a suitably raucous fashion before latest Dance Fever cut King is aired, the die-hard fanbase of tonight’s audience already belting the words along. All five of her albums are touched upon over the course of the 18-song set, with the new material garnering as much of a response as the more well-known.

Florence + The Machine @ Theatre Royal

The patiently-seated crowd search around to collectively agree when the moment will be when they can comfortably leave their seats for the duration of the evening. And it takes just one and a half songs to reach that decision to be made, for the majority of the crowd to rise to their feet, much to the joy of the enigmatic Welch who bounds across the stage, grinning, barefoot and in a flowing white dress she is now so renowned for, that much of tonight’s fanbase have attended emulating her.

Florence + The Machine @ Theatre Royal

“Only at a Florence + The Machine show do I get whistled at for putting my clothes back on!” Welch jests at the crowd’s response as she pulls her “cape” back on and hugs it tight around her. And she’s right. There is a demographic here tonight that is atypical of perhaps most currently touring pop or rock acts. Where age, race or sexual identity don’t seem to influence nor deter concert-goers.

Florence + The Machine @ Theatre Royal

Ceremonials cut Never Let Me Go is introduced by the singer as an example of a song she has tried to push away, but which resonates with her fans the most. It’s also very difficult to sing, she jests to a chuckles from an adoring audience.

Florence + The Machine @ Theatre Royal

The 35-year-old has fans turning their phone lights on to illuminate quiet moments as she also calls out to a pair of fans who met years ago in line for one of her shows and who now have become engaged. Equally, ahead of closing out the night with blistering Lungs single Dog Days Are Over, she encouraged the crowd to put away their phones and let loose. To bounce along with the track in place (although recommended those stood on the 3rd level balcony to take that under advisement!), as she herself dove from one side of the stage to the other, reaching out to her fans as she did.

Florence + The Machine @ Theatre Royal

While nights at Alexandra Palace, The O2 and Hyde Park are now the expectation for an act as big as Florence + The Machine when playing in her hometown, it’s within the intimate surroundings of energy exuding venues such as the historic Theatre Royal that Welch and co. really shine and where audiences can truly engage and where Florence can truly engage with them.
 
Live review and Photography of Florence + The Machine @ Theatre Royal, Drury Lane by Kalpesh Patel on 19th April 2022.
 
Wyatt Flores @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Wyatt Flores Brings Honest Heart And Sharp Style To London’s Roundhouse

On a crisp October night at London’s Roundhouse, Wyatt Flores stepped onto the stage to a roaring crowd, his name echoing around the vaulted room with a force that surprised even him. Supporting 49 Winchester on their UK run, the Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter might technically have been the opener, but from the reaction that greeted him, it was clear many had come just as much for Wyatt.

49 Winchester @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

From Russell County To Camden Town: 49 Winchester’s Triumphant Roundhouse Performance

Virginia’s 49 Winchester transformed Camden’s Roundhouse into a celebration of straight-from-the-heart Americana. Early in the set, frontman Isaac Gibson acknowledged to the audience that this was the band’s first sold-out night on the tour and the response from the crowd made clear how much the moment meant to everyone in the room.

Echobelly @ Electric Ballroom (Kalpesh Patel)

Echobelly Bring ON To Life At The Electric Ballroom – A Triumphant Celebration Of Britpop’s Enduring Spirit

It’s been three decades since Echobelly released ON, the Britpop-era gem that cemented them as one of the most vital and distinctive voices of the mid-90s. On Thursday night at London’s Electric Ballroom, the band — fronted by the magnetic Sonya Madan and founding guitarist Glenn Johansson — returned to Camden to celebrate that legacy, playing the album in full to a sold-out crowd that sang, swayed, and grinned their way through one of the most joyous nostalgia trips of the year.

The Kooks @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Not Naïve – The Kooks Are Always Where They Need To Be At London’s O2 Arena

Brighton Indie Pop darlings The Kooks played quite possibly the biggest and best show of their 20 year career at The O2 Arena on Saturday night. A night of nostalgia, of celebration and of cementing themselves as one of the best British bands formed in the 21st century.

Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory @ O2 Academy Birmingham (Nick Allan)

New Found Glory Never Miss, Only Hit At O2 Academy Birmingham

There’s something about a New Found Glory show that feels like coming home. No matter how many years have passed or how much life has changed, when those opening chords hit, you’re right back where it all started — shouting lyrics with your friends, sweaty, smiling, and completely lost in the moment.

Remember Monday @ Latitude Festival 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Remember Monday Return With New Single ‘More Than Ever’ Ahead Of Headline UK Tour

Country-pop trio Remember Monday continue their breakout year with the release of their new single More Than Ever, co-written with GRAMMY® winner and chart-topping artist Cian Ducrot. The track arrives just as the band kick off their highly anticipated What The Hell Just Happened? UK and Ireland headline tour, which culminates at London’s iconic O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Davina Michelle (Press)

Davina Michelle Launches Empowering New Era With ‘What A Woman’

Dutch pop sensation Davina Michelle has released her brand-new single What A Woman, an empowering anthem that celebrates the strength, intelligence, and individuality of women everywhere. The track arrives alongside a striking new music video, introducing a bold new chapter for one of the Netherlands’ most successful modern pop artists.

Ash @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Ash Share Video for ‘Ad Astra’ Featuring Graham Coxon

Northern Irish alt-rock stalwarts Ash have shared the video for their latest single Ad Astra, featuring Blur’s Graham Coxon, taken from their brand-new album of the same name — out now on Fierce Panda Records.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing