Part of old Florence’s secret has been to be quirky enough to stand apart but without abandoning her mainstream appeal (something Bat For Lashes has managed with less All Pally-residency-staging success). Or, to put it more simply, the secret’s been to write catchy pop tracks that stick in your head and to saddle these with unmissable, scintillating live shows. 

The lady formerly known as Florence Welch raced out of the blocks with 2009’s Lungs, an attention-catching debut of indie-flavoured goth-pop with energy and hooks that left few unturned. The Dog Days Are Coming, debut single Kiss With
A Fist and the all-conquering You Got The Love, with heavy airplay and soundtrack placing, meant this swiftly became more than just another debut. But Florence was to go one bigger in every respect with last year’s follow up. 

She took the ingredients that made Lungs work and amped them, as they say, all the way to 11 on the number one spot-nabbing Ceremonials. Some criticised it for its bombast, grandeur, and unapologetic epic-ness, but most, rightly, embraced it for this very reason. This three-night stand will give Florence and her machine the stage for the grandstanding celebration the record deserves. 

Alexandra Palace, £40
March 8-10 Doors at 7pm
Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY
Tube: Wood Green 

Image via Getty