Florence & The Machine, Alexandra Palace, London

It would take a pretty spectacular artist to sell out three consecutive nights at Alexandra Palace. However, even more importantly, this artist would have to possess a certain (as the French would say) je ne c’est quoi for me to make a trek to the aforementioned splendid-but-essentially-in-the-middle-of-nowhere venue. After a bumpy shuttle bus ride and an energy-sapping climb up a tarmac-cracked hill, I was pretty sure I’d earned myself a cider and an evening of splendid music. I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

As Florence Welch takes to the stage dressed in a black sequined catsuit and swirling cape, with her trademark flame-coloured hair and gothically pale skin, an orchestra strikes its opening chord, but is almost drowned out by an almighty roar from the crowd. Launching into ‘What The Water Gave Me’ from latest album ‘Ceremonials’, it’s as if we’re not watching a performance, but a superhero living out their wildest fantasy, with Florence’s ethereal vocals and eccentric costume, coupled with the venue’s murky lighting, plunging us into some sort of fictional underworld. Sprinting, albeit gracefully, across the stage as if on her way to save citizens from various perils, the protagonist in this story is met with adoration and thousands of screaming fans, rather than a sticky end.

The difference between ‘Ceremonials’ and previous album ‘Lungs’ is marked, with the latest offering taking on an altogether darker tone. ‘Dog Days Are Over’ (which I’ve always been certain is about the triumphs of social mobility) and ‘You’ve Got The Love’ contrast wonderfully with the overtly religious ‘Shake It Out’ and ‘Seven Devils’, to offer us a complete spectrum of emotions. Florence’s voice is faultless throughout, demonstrating that it is possible to combine physical movement and vocals simultaneously (Britney Spears, take note). The only criticism that can be made of the show is that the visual side of proceedings seemed to be lacking. A glitter cannon, a few dancers or perhaps an old school smoke machine wouldn’t have gone amiss as, despite Florence and the Machine fulfilling the musical side of proceedings above and beyond requirement, the sheer size of Alexandra Palace meant that, at times, the place felt a little industrial. However, selling out three consecutive nights at one of London’s most renowned music venues can’t be sniffed at and we fully expect Florence & The Machine to keep their ladder leaning firmly on the wall of success.