Florence + The Machine are currently over in the States on their excellent Ceremonials Tour [read my review here], and so stopped over at The Voice to perform, and promote, No Light No Light, live in front of the judges.
The staging was amazing, the way Florence Welch appeared to the audience, like a ghost rising from her grave, was fittingly theatrical and atmospheric. As if by magic, the stage was then filled by other spectres, as a mob of spritely contemporary dancers bounded on to it from nowhere, and a solemn choir in black- who may as well have been hooded and robed- took to the stepped pyramid. This was as close to a pagan ritual as I've ever seen on live television. All that was missing was the sacrifice, though that might have taken place off camera...
Vocally, not one of Flo's best performances. Her head voice, wasn't sounding as full and commanding as usual, and there were pitch issues, as her voice wavered uncontrollably throughout. However, the held note, which one would think would be the hardest part of the song, was maintained so effortlessly, and on pitch, that it wouldn't have surprised me if it could have been held for twice as long without issue.
All in all, another great performance from the British collective!
Side-note: Anyone care to "read" Ms Aguilera and her facial expression at 2.50...
Lol at the look Christina throws! That to me is what you call the 'die biatch' look haha! Maybe it was because Flo sang with all that ease, fair enough a bit too free but easy nevertheless!
ReplyDeleteOverall I agree though great stage production and acceptable vocal, but its the music that always shines for me! Ceremonials is awesome for sure and from what I have seen of their tour - I just need to grab their MTV Unplugged set too, not a necessary purchase but I 'have' to have it in my life ;)
She was probably grimacing because the performance was so pitchy. I know I was.
ReplyDeleteThat look seems like "I like this song, and I hate this fact".
ReplyDeleteWell X-tina, you are definitely jelly bitch!
ReplyDeletePeople love to hate... You all are making judgements based on a look of a couple of seconds, you realise how crazy is that? Christina has nothing to be jealous, she may not be at her best vocally but she has done a lot thru all these years and she has left a mark in a lot of people and the pop culture.
ReplyDeleteShe has indeed made her mark on pop culture. I continue to love her recorded material, and think she still has plenty of decades ahead of her in the industry.
ReplyDeletei got the MTV unplugged. Found it lacking and was disappointed, especially when compared to the quality of her "Live Lounge" stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou're too fucken right.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I've been hearing mixed reviews about the MTV Unplugged. Review maybe?
ReplyDeleteI like how nearly everyone's comments are on Christina's facial expression and not the actually fucking performance.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I thought this wasn't that great. I really need to hear some of Flo's other live stuff because the one's that I have heard (this and when she performed on the X Factor USA last year) haven't been that good.
Cool, thanks for letting me know, in that case I wont bother my ass. I will hunt down the songs I like on Youtube....anyways here is one of my favs of theres.....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EIeUlvHAiM&ob=av2e
I doubt it, just because its a live album and i'm lazy. Besides there are other things to review, like the Brandy track, right!! lol
ReplyDeleteThat song still gives me goosebumps. I'm waiting for the day I feel like that about someone!
ReplyDeleteI might just invest in it! I know tell me about it, I am still waiting for that old Knight in Shining Armour, although I have developed an unhealthy crush on someone at work (which I am trying to shake off) which is never ends well :$
ReplyDeletelol. Perhaps I should open an Agony section, though I'm not one to be giving advice. I'd say just go with it! It makes work so much more fun!
ReplyDeleteI know I feel that way, I am not sure though about how he feels. Its just I keep catching him outta the corner of my eye looking at me and he chats to me at every opportunity - do you think that is the sign of someone being generally interested??
ReplyDeleteI do like him but its the whole work thing that puts me off, just incase it all goes tits up and then it gets awkward!!! :$ he is not only really cute but such a genuinely nice guy.....I just wish he would be a dick and then I wouldnt feel like this
Oh the "tease" is all part of the fun!! But yah, the whole thing going tits up and having to still work together is the real problem... but who knows, you might end up having a disney happy ending! http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2ngl910oK1rnr4rko1_500.gif
ReplyDeleteyou can tell that florence welch is a true artist
ReplyDeleteshes so creative and so different than everyone else
and sure sometimes her pitch wavers, but i think shes a great singer
@Hannah Stuey Given the unplugged album a second listen. I take back what i said.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, my next day off I shall purchase it, and thanks for your previous advice too dude! Much appreciated! ;)
ReplyDelete