Florence + the Machine made Everybody Scream in Manchester - Review
- Natasha Judge
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
Florence + the Machine took the Everybody Scream tour to Manchester Co-op Live, for an evening of magic, witchcraft, and euphoria.
Florence Welch and band performed to a sold out venue of 23,500 on Friday night, in support of their latest album ‘Everybody Scream’.
When addressing the crowd, Florence said: “Manchester, you’ve been one of the best crowds this tour!”
The show opened with new tracks ‘Everybody Scream’ and ‘Witch Dance’ which instantly transported the audience into a coven of sorts. She also performed tracks ‘Buckle’, ‘The Old Religion’, ‘Sympathy Magic’, ‘One of the Greats’ and ‘Music by Men’ from her sixth studio album.
The show began with a florally illustrated sheet being illuminated by the sounds of screams by the Witch Choir, who are Florence’s insanely talented dancers, who really added theatrics to the existing dramatic show.
In classic Florence + the Machine style, the staging was designed in such a way that had a long walkway for Florence to perform on barefoot, and really immerse herself into the crowd. She warmly embraced many adoring fans during her barricade walk, and caringly hugged fans who were overcome with emotion during the show.
After unfortunately having gone through a difficult period of time, both the new album, and this show was a real testament to Florence’s showmanship, and they truly solidified her once again as one of the greats.
Also in attendance, was Welch’s sister and her mancunian husband, which led to song ‘Never Let Me Go’ being performed in her sister's honour. This was a very poignant part of the show, with many fans in excited awe of the song making the Manchester setlist. Though consequently, there weren't many dry eyes in the house, due to the heartfelt vocals of the already lyrically beautiful track.
Before performing track ‘Buckle’, Florence candidly spoke to the audience with honesty on how she did not want to release that song from feelings of embarrassment that she still feels that way aged 39.
She addressed the audience grinning, and said: “It’s become everyones fucking favourite song, so I’m going to have to sing it forever.
“If you know the words please sing it with me and share in my shame.”
Despite some online controversy surrounding the usage of mobile phones at a Florence concert, having been in the crowd you can understand its impact. Famously, Welch asks the audience to put their phones away for the later half of hit track ‘Dog Days Are Over’, so that everybody's hands are free to clap to the beat, and jump to the chorus. The euphoric energy this evoked was irreplaceable, with people from the barriers of standing, all the way to the seated nosebleeds, all jumping in unison to the 2008 tune.
The show poetically closed with new track ‘And Love’, which lyrics manifest positivity, after she noticed past lyrics have come into prophecy. The song's closing lyrics - “peace is coming” echoed throughout the audience.
Welch’s voice was powerfully heavenly, and her stage presence was exemplary from start to finish, being simultaneously magically whimsical, and commandingly strong - making for a phenomenal artist to witness live.
The evening was opened by acts Dionne, and Paris Paloma, who were a well-chosen credit to the tour. The chanting to Paloma’s track ‘Labour’ was particularly striking, and hit close to home for many within the audience, especially with the current societal landscape of women’s safety.
You can catch Florence + the Machine in the UK again this summer, as they headline Leeds and Reading festivals. More information can be found here.
Setlist:
Everybody Scream
Witch Dance
Shake It Out
Seven Devils
Big God
Daffodil
Which Witch
Cosmic Love
Spectrum
Never Let Me Go
Music by Men
Buckle
King
The Old Religion
Howl
Heaven Is Here
Sympathy Magic
One of the Greats
Dog Days Are Over
Free
And Love
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