Unsigned, unhinged and unbelievably ace, Liza Williams on Britain’s finest new frontwoman.
The masculine contingent look uncomfortable.
Korova’s basement is decked out like a village fete with floral posies, bunting and woven bird cages hanging from every corner – the dark space most definitely femmed up for the occasion.
Not that the boys were bothered for long- as soon as Florence burst onto the stage with opener Between Two Lungs, the crowd was transfixed.
The noises coming from the south London youngster’s mouth were just unbelievable, I could hardly breathe as she sang and wasn’t alone in my astonishment.
With her face painted like a child at the summer fair she had created, the flame haired live wire continued to belt out verse after verse, with sublime blues guitars and brilliant percussion supporting her.
Managed by promoters and 6 Music hosts Queens of Noise, Florence hasn’t got a record deal yet but has created a huge stir within the industry, with execs seeing her as the next British female success story.
And her current independence maybe goes a long way to explain the live experience she created during this performance as part of Liverpool Music Week.
The musician is completely in love with the contents of her songs- they all seem to mean so much and her joy of performing infected the entire room.
The upbeat Dog Days are Over brought engsed crowd to life, as did single Kiss with a Fist, while blues number Girl with One Eye and melancholic Bird Song created magnificent tension.
During the opening chimes of Donkey Kosh, the singer explains in a slightly embarrassed tone that she didn’t realise the title referred to a sexual practice – nothing so depraved – it’s actually about ketamine (thank God for that, I’m sure the conservatives in the audience are relieved.)
Every track went down brilliantly, a serious achievement for someone at such an early stage of her career.
Neither did the “next big thing” want to keep her fans at arms length, she continually invited the crowd to come closer, climbing on speakers to become part of the scrum herself.
In this sense Korova was the perfect place for the gig, such intimacy seemed to fuel Florence’s desire to sing her heart out and to get a reaction from us at every turn.
Let’s just hope the pressures of the industry and playing bigger venues do not ruin what makes Florence and The Machine very special.
Florence and the Machine: Kiss With A Fist
