Florence and the Machine, stylized as Florence + the Machine, is an English indie rock band formed in London in 2007. The group consists of lead vocalist Florence Welch, keyboardist Isabella Summers, guitarist Rob Ackroyd, drummer Christopher Lloyd Hayden, and harpist Tom Monger, along with various collaborating musicians. Known for their dramatic, eccentric production and Welch’s powerful vocals, the band gained early acclaim, particularly from the BBC, which played a significant role in their rise through BBC Music Introducing. They received the Brit Awards “Critics’ Choice” award in 2009.
The band’s debut studio album, Lungs, released on 3 July 2009, held the number-two position on the UK Albums Chart for its first five weeks and reached number one on 17 January 2010 after 28 consecutive weeks. The album remained in the UK top forty for 65 consecutive weeks, becoming one of the best-selling albums of 2009 and 2010. Lungs includes hits like “Kiss with a Fist,” “Dog Days Are Over,” and “You’ve Got the Love,” showcasing their eclectic style that blends rock, soul, and art pop elements.
Their second album, Ceremonials, released in October 2011, debuted at number one in the UK and number six in the US. The album features tracks such as “Shake It Out” and “Spectrum (Say My Name),” with the latter’s Calvin Harris remix becoming their first UK number-one hit. This period also saw the band contributing to film soundtracks, including “Breath of Life” for Snow White and the Huntsman and “Over the Love” for The Great Gatsby.
The third album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, released on 2 June 2015, topped the charts in the UK and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, marking their first number-one album in the US. It includes singles like “What Kind of Man” and “Ship to Wreck.” The band’s headlining performance at Glastonbury Festival in 2015 made Welch the first British female headliner of the 21st century.
In 2016, Florence and the Machine recorded the main theme for the video game Final Fantasy XV, a cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me,” and contributed two original songs, “I Will Be” and “Too Much Is Never Enough.” Their fourth album, High as Hope, released on 29 June 2018, features singles such as “Hunger” and “Sky Full of Song.”
Their fifth album, Dance Fever, released on 13 May 2022, includes singles “King,” “Heaven Is Here,” “My Love,” and “Free.” This album continues to showcase the band’s evolution in sound, combining their signature baroque pop and art rock influences with more contemporary elements.
Throughout their career, Florence and the Machine has been praised for their dynamic live performances, powerful lyrics, and Welch’s commanding stage presence. They have been nominated for eight Grammy Awards and have made notable appearances at major events, including the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert.
Florence and the Machine’s music is a blend of indie rock, baroque pop, and neo-soul, drawing comparisons to artists like Kate Bush and Siouxsie Sioux. Welch’s inspirations include Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, and her lyrics often explore themes of love, death, and mythology.