As the summer comes to a close and autumn readies it place
on the seasonal platform there was no better way to say goodbye to the days of
fun in the sun and say hello to the days of changing foliage than at Jones
Beach for a mystical night with Britain’s Florence and the Machine.
On the second night of her new tour around North America in
support of her internationally acclaimed album, Ceremonials, Florence made her
Long Island debut at a venue that was simply perfect for her to perform in.
With an art deco backdrop and a series of musicians that ranged from backup
singers, multiple drummers, guitarists, pianists and a harpist, Florence’s
machine was ready to ignite a musical storm at the beach. Opening with “Only If
For A Night,” Florence, who channeled Stevie Nicks and an actress in a Greek
tragedy, brought the dramatic and intrigue to her live performance. Running
around the stage with a flowing dress that made it appear like she was floating
across the famous theater in the water, every individual inside the
amphitheater was embracing every second of it. On a brisk but beautiful night,
it was perfect to be outside for one final hurrah as summer and fall were
colliding with each other. It is always incredible to see any gig at Jones
Beach in the company of the natural surroundings, but Saturday night was
different in particular, a new magic appeared coincidentally at the right time,
during Florence singing about the moon and stars in “Cosmic Love,” a shooting
star dashed across the sky and took those who saw it by surprise. Moments like
this are not only rare, but also only elevated what was already proving to be a
fantastic night.
Sticking mainly to songs off Ceremonials, Florence’s
powerful voice resonates even more in concert than it does on disc, if one
could believe that. Songs like “Shake it Out,” “What the Water Gave Us,” “Leave
my Body,” and “Spectrum,” took on different dimensions in concert than from
what we are used to hearing on our iPods. Amid lively interaction with the
audience in the bleacher section right down to the front row, Florence Welch,
showed a different side of her personality that many did not know. While she
sings and performs serious and passionate music, she is playful at heart. She
would explain her arrival to New York for this tour was in the wake of the
anniversary of September 11 and explained how New Yorkers really persevere and
come together even all these years later. She would explain her history of gigs
in New York from her debut at Bowery Ballroom nearly five years ago to her experiences
at other venues and everything that led her to where she is now. Performing for
nearly 80 minutes, Florence and the Machine displayed their power, passion and
musical perfection. Closing with “Dog Days are Over,” it seemed to take on new
life, it became much more than a catchy pop song, it became a statement that
those days of hearing crap music could be a thing of the past if Florence has
her say about it.
Florence and the Machine Jones Beach Setlist 9/15/12
Florence and the Machine Jones Beach Setlist 9/15/12
Only If for a Night
What the Water Gave Me
Drumming Song
Cosmic Love
Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
Spectrum
Heartlines
Leave My Body
Lover to Lover
Shake It Out
No Light, No Light
Encore
Breath Of Life
Dog Days Are Over