What ushers in autumn, has a trademark orange-ish hue, and inspires dedicated fans everywhere? If pumpkin spice lattes came to mind, then you are terribly wrong. Rather, it was the electrifying showmanship of Florence & The Machine at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre this past week that captivated falling hearts. So anticipated was her arrival, an additional show was added to appease her eager fans. And they weren’t disappointed.
Simply put, Florence Welch is a charismatic show-stopper. With the frontwoman energetically jumping, twirling, and running to every corner of the stage, the performance seemed fifty percent musical concert and fifty percent high-intensity aerobics workout. With a fully-rounded Machine comprising 11 vocalists and instrumentalists, including a harpist, songs like “Cosmic Love” and “Queen of Peace” were even more mesmerizing live.
Welch’s incredibly powerful voice belies an equally powerful persona, cajoling audience members to throw clothes at her. Light-hearted conversations about hangovers and strip clubs. A fake-out make-out with one very lucky fan. But perhaps the most amazing feat she accomplished was never once running out of breath while simultaneously running, singing, and swinging jackets above her head. After a crowd-pleasing “Dog Days Are Over” and a stirring encore, it was hard to believe that the energy of Florence & The Machine would ever have to end.
Article by Willa Peng
Photos by Edfil Dulay