Florence and the Machine enchants Seattle

It was time for Florence and the Machine to finally make her way back to Seattle in support of her latest album release, Dance Fever. The album which draws from a lot of pandemic themes and emotions that Florence Welch so delicately put into words for all of us. She always has the power to express feelings in such a precise way, I guess that’s what makes her an impeccable artist.

Climate Pledge Arena was packed from the start as fans gathered to catch another great band, Wet Leg. Even Welsh herself stood on the side of the arena to enjoy some of their set. The British band has created a buzz over the last year and have quickly become a top live act to catch on everyone’s list. Experiencing Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers for the first time, I can understand why. It’s fun, exciting, catchy, and raw. Make sure to check them out if you haven’t already, “Wet Dream,” and “Chaise Longue,” are a good start, even Pearl Jam covered the latter.

After a quick set change the space went dark and Welch slowly appeared as a ghostly figure starting with “Heaven is Here.” A few chandeliers hung above her inside a movable white frame sometimes lighting up creating a very natural sense of light. Towards the back there were a few chandeliers placed over stairs, something that also resembled a fallen cathedral. The stage was divided in three pieces, the middle one where Welch spent most of her performance, and the two sides were for the band members.

She chatted with the crowd a few times thanking them for being there and then joking with them, “To anyone that just came along and are wondering what is this? Is it a cult? A haunted house? Is it a British pagan dance ritual? All I can say is that it’s so much better to just give into it fully, you’ll be fine.” Then she went on to tell people to put their phones away and to be present in the moment for the show and not on their screen, something most people actually did.

For “Dog Days Are Over,” she guided the audience to wait and jump during the bridge and as soon as her words, “Run fast..” started everyone jumped up. I don’t think I’ve seen a room go so wild during a chorus. Another highlight was during “Dream Girl Evil,” when she went into the front of the crowd and sang the whole song standing on the barricade while fans held her up. She is so intense in that moment, and she absolutely transfers that to everyone looking at her in the crowd.

For one of my favorite songs, “Big God,” the middle of the stage resembled an art installation. Large black drapes came down and boxed Welsh inside as she danced around the space. In the back of the stage a spotlight lit, creating a large shadow in the front drape mirroring Florence‘s outline as she moved. As she stood closer to it her shadow grew larger emphasizing her emotions and at the climax of the song, she pounded her arm to the beat and fell hard on her knees hitting the bottom of the song’s abyss.

After running in the front row again for “What Kind of Man,” she jokingly thanked people in the front for letting her scream in their face. She shared that when things were cancelled in the pandemic and this all seemed like it might not happen again, in England musicians were told to retrain in other professions. She very loudly said, “As what? I can’t do anything else!” as we all laughed at the story. “I can’t tell you how much it means to be back here on this stage with all of you.” We couldn’t agree with you more, Florence.

For the wonderful “Cosmic Love,” the black drapes came down again but this time there was a projection showing birds flying around on the front one. It was really beautiful to watch and listen along to her voice. As the song ended the back spotlight focused on her as she spun around the middle of the stage, resembling a ballerina in a jewelry box.

“This next song was written at a time where clubs were empty, arenas were empty, and we couldn’t dance anywhere. I want to practice tonight a dance resurrection and celebrate being here together.” What a wonderful way to start “My Love,” a song that perfectly described my emotions during that time in 2020, ‘Tell me where to put my love.’ Florence doesn’t put on a concert, it’s an out of body experience and absolute soul catharsis. Artists like Welch don’t often come around, but when they do, they paint the most vivid canvases and it’s your choice to dive into them and get lost in their glorious magic.

Words and Wet Leg photos: @s.barkalakis

Florence photos: David Conger