Summer Escape into the World of Florence and the Machine

All college students can agree that the spring term is the most challenging period of the school year. After long months of plowing through snow and wind, the trees and flowers are beginning to blossom and the sun is warming the grass. It’s a true test of dedication to stay indoors and focus on schoolwork when the campus is buzzing with events. On the plus side, burnt-out college students can look forward to an upcoming summer concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater, whose open-air location and main performer offer a chance to enjoy the breeze and some refreshing, unconventional music.

Florence Welch is an English performer who, as a contemporary artist, is carving out a place for herself in the same-minded music industry. In light of the homogenous pop trend dominating the media, Florence and the Machine offer an alternative sound. Florence and her seven-piece band (“the Machine”) craft intense, emotionally-charged songs with raw lyrics, back-dropped by a breath-taking orchestral soundscape whose bass reverberations grip your heartstrings as the soaring, epic vocals elevate your mind. When explaining the motivation behind her passionate work, Florence states, “I want my music to sound like…something overwhelming and all-encompassing that fills you up, and you’re either going to explode with it, or you’re just going to disappear,” (florenceandthemachine.net).

Photo from Flickr.com uploaded by alterna2

Since purchasing my first mobile music player, I don’t listen to the radio often. When I tuned in recently during a car ride, I was surprised to find the degree of homogeny pervading the music scene. Groups heavily influenced by the dance/techno quality of mainstream music are popping up in every category so the distinct traits that characterize the sound of individual genres are all melting into one pot.

When I discovered Florence and the Machine, I was ecstatic to find a successful artist bold enough to define her style not in relation to her peers but in terms of her own interests. What impressed me was  that even though Florence does not partake in the musical melting pot, she still managed to gain the acceptance of mainstream radio. Instead of being shunned for her non-conformist style, Florence’s uniqueness is earning appreciation from the industry, winning the Critics’ Choice Award in 2009, and landing a spot on the soundtrack list of popular film productions like Twilight: Eclipse and the anticipated Snow White and the Huntsman.

This respect is well-deserved. With perfectionist detail, Florence addresses all the aspects of a song: the lyrical composition, the vocal and musical arrangements, to bring her audience the highest quality in music production. Her vibrant style stands out as vividly as her eye-catching red hair. Her strong voice, ringing out clearly in an expressive tone and accurate vocals captivate. Although Florence excels in her ability to create exotic compositions, she demonstrates her versatility in mellow pieces that speak on more familiar subjects, such as the universal theme of love. Her wide-reaching talent ensures that any individual can relate to her music. So, don’t let her eccentric reputation prevent you from exploring the exhilarating world of Florence and the Machine.

The concert takes place Wednesday, July 25^th at 7:30pm. Find tickets at TicketsReview or amphitheatermorrison.com. Combined with a scenic location and a unique performer, this seasonal event will surely make for an intriguing summer evening.