Florence and the Machine

Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine at the Vector Area, Auckland, 2015
Florence and the Machine at the Vector Area, Auckland, 2015
Background information
OriginLondon, England, UK
GenresAlternative rock · art rock · indie rock · baroque pop · soul · neo folk · electronica · dream pop · symphonic rock
Years active2007–present
Labels
MembersFlorence Welch
Robert Ackroyd
Christopher Lloyd Hayden
Isabella Summers
Tom Monger
Past member(s)Devonte Hynes
Websiteflorenceandthemachine.net/

Florence and the Machine (also written as Florence + the Machine), is an English rock band that is a recording name of Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide backing music for her voice. Musically, Florence and the Machine's sound is generally referred to as soul-inspired indie rock. Florence and the Machine's music has received praise across the music media, especially from the BBC. This is because the BBC played a large part in Florence and the Machine's rise to prominence by promoting her as part of BBC Introducing.[1] This led to the band playing at a number of music festivals in 2008, including Glastonbury as well as Reading and Leeds and T in the Park. The band's debut album, Lungs was released on 6 July 2009. It held the number 2 position for its first five weeks in the charts, behind Michael Jackson.[2] The album has now been in the top 40 UK charts for 22 consecutive weeks.

The Machine

Welch said that "The name Florence and the Machine started off as a private joke that got out of hand. I made music with my friend, who we called Isabella Machine to which I was Florence Robot. When I was about an hour away from my first gig, I still didn't have a name, so I thought "Okay, I'll be Florence Robot is a Machine", before realizing that name was so long it'd drive me mad".[3] In 2006 Welch's performances in small London venues as "Florence Robot is a Machine" began to attract notice.[4]

The Machine is Florence's backing band. This is currently made up of Robert Ackroyd (guitar), Christopher Lloyd Hayden (drums), Isabella Summers ('Isabella Machine') (keyboards) and Tom Monger (harp).[5] Previously Devonte Hynes (Lightspeed Champion and Test Icicles) was also a member.

Florence and the Machine are managed by Mairead Nash. Nash is one half of the DJ outfit Queens of Noize.

Touring

Florence and the Machine were part of the 2009 Shockwaves NME Awards tour. Welch said that she planned a "pretty theatrical" performance.

The group played at the Concerts for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity event at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2009.[6] Florence and The Machine also supported Blur for their 26 June comeback performance at the MEN Arena in Manchester,[7] and supported Duran Duran in July 2009.[3]

The group performed at the 2009 Glastonbury Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Electric Picnic in County Laois, Ireland and the T in the Park festival.[8][9] On October 27 the group played its first official New York City show[10] and appeared on the television programmes Late Night With David Letterman[11] and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[12]

Welch has said that she would like to tour the United States. However, she is fearful of becoming homesick due to the length of time it would take to tour the country.[13]

On New Year's Eve 2009, the group appeared on the pre-recorded New Year's Eve celebration show Hootenanny. On the show, they performed "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" and "Dog Days Are Over". Welch then performed a cover of "My Baby Just Cares for Me" with Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

Critical acclaim

Florence and the Machine have gained a large amount of support from NME magazine who included them in their annual NME Awards Tour for 2009. They supported White Lies, Friendly Fires and Glasvegas on the tour. The Times described her as "the most peculiar and most highly acclaimed female singer of the moment" and "the latest in a line of great English pop eccentrics".[4] Allmusic described Lungs as "one of the most musically mature and emotionally mesmerizing albums of 2009".[14]Spin Magazine gave Lungs four out of five possible stars and wrote, "You’ve gotta hand it to the girl: She always makes you feel something".[15] The magazine named the album as the 8th best of 2009.[16]

Welch appeared on the front cover of The Guide subsection to The Guardian. She also collected the Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in February 2009. Florence and the Machine came third in the BBC's Sound of 2009.[17]
In 2009 she covered Beyoncé's song "Halo" on the BBC1 Live Lounge; host Jo Whiley stated that it was one of the best covers they have ever had in the Live Lounge. The BBC also used "You Got The Love" as the backing music to its Jenson Button Formula One 2009 season review video montage and it was used in the final episode of Gavin and Stacey.

Awards

Brit Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2009 Florence and the Machine Critics' Choice Won
2010 Florence and the Machine British Female Solo Artist Nominated
British Breakthrough Act Nominated
Lungs MasterCard British Album of the Year Won
2011 "You've Got the Love" British Single Nominated
2012 Florence and the Machine British Female Solo Artist Nominated
Ceremonials MasterCard British Album of the Year Nominated

Grammy Awards

Year Nominated work Award
2011 Florence and the Machine Best New Artist Nominated

MTV

MTV Europe Music Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2009 Florence and the Machine Best UK and Ireland New Act Nominated

MTV Video Music Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2010 "Dog Days Are Over" Video of the Year Nominated
Best RockVideo Nominated
Best Art Direction in a Video Won
Best Cinematography in a Video Nominated

Other awards

Year Organisation Nominated work Award Result
2009 BBC Sound of 2009 Florence and the Machine Sound of 2009 Nominated
Third place
Mercury Prize Lungs Mercury Prize Nominated
Studio8 Media International Music Award Florence and the Machine Female Voice of July 2009 Won
"Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" Song of July 2009 Won
Q Awards Lungs Best Album Nominated
"Drumming Song" Best Video Nominated
Florence and the Machine Breakthrough Artist Nominated
UK Festival Awards Best Breakthrough Act Won
"Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" Anthem of the Year Nominated
Florence and the Machine Festival Fitty of the Year – Girls Nominated
UK Music Video Awards "Drumming Song" Best Pop Video Nominated
Best Styling in a Video Won
"Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" Nominated
2010 South Bank Show Florence and the Machine South Bank Show Award Won
Glamour Women of the Year Awards Florence and the Machine Band of the Year Won
Meteor Music Awards Lungs Best International Album Nominated
Florence and the Machine Best International Band Won
Best International Live Performance Nominated
Elle Style Awards Musician of the Year Won
Shockwaves NME Awards Best Solo Artist Nominated
"Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" Best Track Nominated
"You've Got the Love" Best Dancefloor Filler Nominated
Florence Welch Best Dressed Nominated
MOJO Awards Florence and the Machine Breakthrough Act Nominated
Best Live Act Nominated
"You've Got the Love" Song of the Year Nominated
Lungs Best Album Nominated
BT Digital Music Awards Florence and the Machine Best Female Artist Nominated
"You've Got the Love" Best Song Nominated
Q Awards Florence and the Machine Best Female Won
"You've Got the Love" Best Song Won
UK Music Video Awards "Dog Days Are Over" Best Pop Video Nominated
Best Styling in a Video Nominated
UK Festival Awards "You've Got the Love" Anthem of the Year Won
Florence and the Machine Feel-Good Act of the Summer Nominated
4Music Video Honours "Dog Days Are Over" Best Video of 2010 Nominated
European Festival Awards "You've Got the Love" Anthem of the Year Nominated
Florence and the Machine Best Newcomer Won
2011 Virgin Media Music Awards Hottest Women Nominated
Florence and the Machine with Dizzee Rascal Best Collaboration Nominated
"Dog Days Are Over" Best Video Nominated
Florence Welch Best Live Act Nominated
Shameless Publicity Seeker Nominated
Shockwaves NME Awards Florence and the Machine Best Solo Artist Nominated
International Dance Music Awards "Dog Days Are Over" (Yeasayer Remix) Best Alternative/Rock Dance Track Nominated
Florence and the Machine Best Break-Through Artist (Group) Nominated
Glamour Women of the Year Awards Best Band Nominated
Billboard Music Awards "Dog Days Are Over" Top Rock Song Nominated
Top Alternative Song Nominated
2012 Elle Style Awards Florence and the Machine Best Music Act Won
Shockwaves NME Awards Florence and the Machine Best Solo Artist Won
"Shake It Out" Best Track Won
Florence and the Machine Hottest Female Nominated

UK festival Awards 2009

    • Anthem of Summer - Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Nominated
    • Best Breakthrough Act - Winner
    • Festival Fitty of the Year - Girls - Nominated
  • First in the 2009 BRITs Critics' Choice section.[18]
  • Third in the BBCs Sound of 2009. This was a poll voted for by a select group of insiders from all sectors of the music industry.[17]
  • Florence and The Machine's debut album Lungs was nominated for the 2009 Mercury Prize.

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
UK
[19] 		AUS
[20] 		AUT
[21] 		CAN
[22] 		GER
[23] 		IRE
[24] 		NZ
[25] 		NOR
[26] 		SWI
[27] 		POL
[26] 		US
[28]
Lungs 1 3 73 20 41 2 3 36 54 28 14
  • World: 4,000,000[29]
  • UK: 1,600,000[30]
  • US: 1,055,172
Ceremonials
  • Released: 28 October 2011
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl LP
 1 1 12 4 7 1 1 6 10 2 6
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[19] 		BEL (VL)
[44] 		BEL (WA)
[44] 		AUS
[20] 		AUT
[21] 		CAN
[45] 		GER
[46] 		IRE
[24] 		NZ
[25] 		NOR
[26] 		SWI
[27] 		US
[47]
2008 "Kiss with a Fist" 51 — — — — — — — — — — — Lungs
"Dog Days Are Over" 23 21 19 47 — 19 — 6 27 — — 21
2009 "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" 12 50 — 93 — — — 41 — — — —
"Drumming Song" 54 — — — — — — — — — — —
"You've Got the Love" 5 25 5 9 28 — 52 16 — — 49 —
2010 "Cosmic Love" 51 5 — — — — — 3 — — — —
"Heavy in Your Arms" 53 — — — — — — — — — — —
2011 "What the Water Gave Me" 24 2 42 35 — 72 — 13 15 — — 91 Ceremonials
"Shake It Out" 12 2 15 36 16 52 30 2 16 18 23 72
2012 "No Light, No Light" 50 10 — 95 — — — 50 — — — —
"Never Let Me Go" 82 15 43 3 — 75 — 73 — — — —
"Spectrum" 1 2 18 4 — — 54 1 2 — — —
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released

Promotional singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
UK
[19] 		AUS
[20] 		AUT
[21] 		FRA
[56] 		GER
[46] 		IRE
[24] 		US
[47]
2010 "You Got the Dirtee Love"
(with Dizzee Rascal) 		2 27 — — — 24 — Lungs
2012 "Breath of Life"[A] 87 — 64 143 65 68 113 Snow White & the Huntsman soundtrack
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released

Other charted songs

Year Song Peak chart
positions 		Album
UK
 IRL
2009 "Cosmic Love"[57] — 3 Lungs

EPs

Music videos

Year Video Director
2008 "Kiss with a Fist" Price James[59]
"Dog Days Are Over" Tom Beard
2009 "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" Tom & Tabitha[60]
"Drumming Song" Dawn Shadforth[61]
"You've Got the Love" Tom & Tabitha
2015 ''What Kind Of Man (The Odyssey – Chapter 1)'' Vincent Haycock
''How Big How Blue How Beautiful (Chapter 2)''
''St Jude (The Odyssey – Chapter 3)''
'''Ship To Wreck (The Odyssey – Chapter 4)''
''Queen of Peace & Long and Lost (The Odyssey – Chapters 5 and 6)''
''Delilah (The Odyssey – Chapter 8)''
''Third Eye (The Odyssey – Chapter 9)''
''Florence + The Machine - The Odyssey (Full film, directed by Vincent Haycock)''

References

  1. ↑ "BBC - Introducing - Florence and the Machine". Archived from the original on 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  2. ↑ "Michael Jackson, Black Eyed Peas Control U.K. Charts Billboard 3 August, 2009". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2010-01-06. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 A piece of my mind ... Sunday Herald 25 July, 2009[permanent dead link]
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Patterson, Sylvia (20 September 2009). "Behind the success of Florence and the Machine". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  5. ↑ "Dog Days Are Over" CD single
  6. ↑ McNulty, Bernadette (20 March 2009). "Concerts for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall, March 24-29". Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2019 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  7. ↑ Stokes, Paul (3 April 2009). "Blur sign-up Klaxons and Florence And The Machine for Manchester". NME. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  8. ↑ NME (9 March 2009). "Neil Young and Blur confirmed for Glastonbury". NME. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  9. ↑ Dingwall, John (9 March 2009). "Exclusive: The Saturdays join bill for T in the Park". dailyrecord. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  10. ↑ "Live: Florence and the Machine Feed on the Spotlight at Bowery Ballroom Village Voice 28 October, 2009". Archived from the original on 2009-10-31. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  11. ↑ "On Tonight: Hip Hop vs. Scream Awards Hartford Courant 27 October, 2009". Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  12. ↑ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  13. ↑ Wightman, Catriona (28 November 2009). "Florence Welch 'fears US homesickness'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  14. ↑ "Lungs - Florence + the Machine - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2013-03-31. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  15. ↑ "Florence and the Machine 'Lungs' Review". SPIN.com. October 27, 2009. Archived from the original on October 31, 2009.
  16. ↑ "The 40 Best Albums of 2009". 31 December 2009. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "BBC Sound of 2009: Florence and the Machine". 5 December 2008. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2022 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  18. ↑ "Critics' Choice". The Brits. Archived from the original on 2009-01-19. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 "UK Charts > Florence and the Machine". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Australian Charts > Florence and the Machine". australian-charts.com Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "Austrian Charts > Florence and the Machine" (in German). austriancharts.at Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2011-01-30. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  22. ↑ "Florence and the Machine > Album & Song Chart History > Canadian Albums". Billboard Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  23. ↑ "German Charts > Florence and the Machine" (in German). charts.de Media Control Charts. Retrieved 2011-11-07.[permanent dead link]
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "Irish Charts > Florence and the Machine". irish-charts.com Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "New Zealand Charts > Florence and the Machine". charts.org.nz Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 "Norwegian Charts > Florence and the Machine". norwegiancharts.com Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Swiss Charts > Florence and the Machine" (in German). swisscharts.com Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  28. ↑ "Florence and the Machine > Album & Song Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  29. ↑ sputnikmusic Archived 2022-05-08 at the Wayback Machine Florence and the Machine Ceremonials.
  30. ↑ Jones, Alan (2011-11-07). "UK Album Chart analysis: Florence's Ceremonials sells 94k". Music Week. Archived from the original on 2022-05-08. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "BPI Certified Awards". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  32. ↑ "ARIA Charts > Accrediations > 2010 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2016-01-03. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  33. ↑ "CRIA Gold & Platinum". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2007-07-20. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  34. ↑ "IRMA 2009 Certification Awards > Multi Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 2010-12-04. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  35. ↑ "Latest Gold & Platinum Albums". Radioscope Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 "RIAA Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  37. ↑ thevine.com.au Archived 2012-08-02 at the Wayback Machine Florence and the Machine: "It becomes the normal things that you crave."
  38. ↑ "UK Album Chart Analysis: Susan Boyle LP sells 73k units - News - Music Week". www.musicweek.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  39. ↑ http://atrl.net/forums/showthread.php?p=9811634#9811634 Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine #46
  40. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2012.[dead link]
  41. ↑ "Gold Platinum Database". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  42. ↑ "IRMA 2011 Certification Awards > Multi Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  43. ↑ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Archived from the original on 2007-02-23. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Florence + The Machine - All This And Heaven Too". Ultratop.be. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  45. ↑ "Florence and the Machine > Album & Song Chart History > Canadian Hot 100". Billboard Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Chartverfolgung / Florence and the Machine / Single" (in German). musicline.de PhonoNet. Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 "Florence and the Machine > Album & Song Chart History > Billboard Hot 100". Billboard Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  48. ↑ "ARIA Charts > Accreditations > 2011 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 "Radioscope > Latest Gold/Platinum Singles". Radioscope Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  50. ↑ "ARIA Charts > Accreditations > 2011 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  51. ↑ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2011 Singles". Archived from the original on 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  52. ↑ "Radioscope > Latest Gold/Platinum Singles". Radioscope Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "ARIA Charts - Singles Chart May 2012". Archived from the original on 2017-11-13. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  54. ↑ "Certified Awards". BPI. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  55. ↑ "Radioscope > Latest Gold/Platinum Singles". Radioscope Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  56. ↑ "French Charts > Florence". lescharts.com Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
  57. ↑ "Cosmic Love enters Irish singles chart at #3" Archived 2012-03-14 at the Wayback Machine. chart-track.com. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  58. ↑ "IAMSOUND Records". Archived from the original on 2009-03-30. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  59. ↑ Knight, David (2009-05-13). "PRODUCTION UPDATE: Who shot what, who's shooting what… (part one)". PromoNews. promonews.tv. Archived from the original on 2009-08-12. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
  60. ↑ Knight, David (2009-05-21). "Florence & The Machine's Rabbit Heart by Tom & Tabitha". PromoNews. promonews.tv. Archived from the original on 2009-08-12. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
  61. ↑ B, Jimmy (2009-08-10). "Florence And The Machine's Drumming Song by Dawn Shadforth". PromoNews. promonews.tv. Archived from the original on 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2009-08-11.

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