Forget the pop girlies, this 00s icon just proved she is the best of a generation-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

Florence Welch celebrated the 15th anniversary of her debut album showing off her unmatched talent (Picture: BBC / Andy Paradise)

15 years, five albums, and two Brit awards later, Florence and the Machine remains one of the greatest additions to the music landscape.

Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish and even Taylor Swift’s post-Folklore era – as these mainstream artists bask in their recent success, Florence and the Machine has reminded us all why she is the blueprint for the modern-day pop girl.

Her mastery of lyrics, cross-genre straddling, and the ease with which she captures the bizarre but beautiful feeling of being alive is unparalleled.

There are few artists whose stage presence is so strong that they hold enough power to sway a room simply through their mid-song pauses and measured breaths but for Florence Welch, 38, even her silence holds a captivating aura.

In 2009, the fresh-faced singer-songwriter released her debut indie rock/pop album Lungs – a musical voyage filled with exhilarating tunes, ethereal ballads, and the kind of lyricism seasoned artists can only dream of.

At the tender age of 23, Florence went on to win the Brit award for the best British album of the year, beating out the likes of Lily Allen and Dizzee Rascal with a tracklist that has truly stood the test of time for its caliber and impact.

The singer-songwriter won a Brit award for her stunning debut album (Picture: Andy Paradise)

Since then, her artistry has only grown from strength to strength. Commercially she has consistently proven herself a force to be reckoned with, entering the UK charts’ top 10 across her albums, including her latest pop-rock album Dance Fever.

Meanwhile, her devoted fanbase has multiplied along with this success.

On the morning of her BBC Proms debut – where she was set to perform Lungs with the backing of a live orchestra (conducted by Grammy winner Jules Buckley) – over 20,000 people attempted to buy last-minute standing tickets for Symphony of Lungs.

As I watched over a bewitched audience who gazed upon Florence as though she were divine and they wanted to kneel at the altar of her mind it’s clear that her chokehold over indie pop girlies is as strong as ever.

‘What is even the point in being alive?’ one friend messaged me after her unsuccessful attempt and I completely understood.

To hear Florence’s somehow simultaneously gentle yet powerhouse vocals in the Royal Albert Hall set to a magnificent live soundtrack can only be described as an otherworldly experience.

Whether stamping along to Kiss With A Fist, belting out You Got The Love or reveling in the gorgeous melody of Cosmic Love – Florence’s discography has the unique ability to flit between genres and capture an eery, witchy vibe that emanates across the room.

Florence brought her quintesential profundity to the stage (Picture: Andy Paradise)

Fans came dressed for the occasion, with flower garlands, flowing sleeves and earthy dressed to reflect the nature-filled and

Florence’s sweet addresses to the audience peppered throughout the evening made the evening even more endearing, in which her humility shone through.

‘These ranges are crazy because you are young and you’re drunk and you only ever think you’ll sing them one time,’ she joked to the audience before perfectly executing every note in the album, voice as smooth as honey.

At another point in the evening, she added: ‘So many of these songs were written when I was a teenager or in my very early 20s… it was a really chaotic and messy time and it’s an absolute joy to put them together with [the orchestra] and make some sense of this.’

The 2009 album was elevated by the gorgeous orchestral performance (Picture: BBC / Andy Paradise)

Most songs on the setlist were punctuated with a well-deserved standing ovation.

The night culminated in Florence’s biggest hit Dog Days Are Over which saw the audience jump to their feet and let loose as she encouraged everyone to disconnect and simply exist in the moment.

It was a welcome and refreshing departure from most concerts these days which, more often than not, are experienced through the phone camera lens. Florence is listened to best when you are fully immersed, something her audience knows all too well.

As the singer looks towards her next era, her Proms show served as a poignant reflection on all she has achieved. Take a bow, Florence.

The Florence + The Machine Prom is available on BBC Sounds and will be broadcast on BBC TV in October.

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