By Stephanie Alexander
Staff Writer
September ended festive in Fair Park with it being the opening weekend of the Texas State Fair and the Florence + the Machine concert at Gexa Energy Pavilion on Sunday the 30th.
Luckily the sun was shining over Dallas on Sunday after having a long, dreary weekend of rain and cloudy weather.
The show got started with another British group called The Maccabees, which I would describe as a heavier, more alternative Mumford and Sons. For an opening act, they put on quite a show with lights and noise. Usually the opening acts I’ve seen haven’t really pumped the fans up too much.
Even though the Maccabees were loud and proud, the night totally went to Florence + the Machine.
They opened up with “Only if For a Night”, and Florence Welch was behind this platform, screen stage and then you knew by the lighting on the stage and the screams from the crowd that it was show time.
I’m not one for classical music or instruments, but the harpist for Florence + the Machine was breathtakingly gentle and yet filled the pavilion with noise. The band was amazing and the whole show flowed in such a manner that the night went by almost too fast.
Welch was so into the crowd and her performance. She was so bubbly, jumping around all over the stage. She made sure the crowd was involved and into just as much as she was.
At one point she actually ran off the stage during the Drumming Song and around the seating of the pavilion. In between songs she picked a guy that was right next to me, who had “We Love Flo” painted on his chest with an artistic heart. She picked this guy up form the crowd, onto the stage, and they hugged and skipped across the stage together. During the song “Rabbit Heart”, she said to the crowd “anyone you love, put them on your shoulders. RAISE THEM UP”
In the middle of the show, she showed her gratitude to Dallas by telling her story of the bands’ day at the State Fair. She thanked Dallas for the two headed turtle and the world’s smallest pony.
You could tell she was not taking her fame for granted. She was so thankful and sweet towards the crowd. During the song “All This and Heaven Too”, whenever the crowd sang along Welch seemed pleasantly surprised that we would know the lyrics well enough to almost sing it for her.
Florence’s set could’ve gone on longer, as both her albums are filled with hits. But with the city curfew laws, and the state fair going on directly behind the pavilion, I understand why the show ended at 10. But I wish that night lasted at least a little bit longer.
I started off the night having seats barely over the pavilion. Almost immediately a security guard took my friends and I down to the pit for no specific reason. He just asked how many people we had in our group, he took us down to the pit and left saying “Remember Gexa security guys!” The night was a once in a lifetime experience. I still can’t believe how lucky we were.
Set list:
Only if For a Night
Drumming Song
Cosmic Love
All This and Heaven Too
Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)
Spectrum
Breaking Down
Heartlines
Leave My Body
Shake It Out
No Light, No Light
What the Water Gave Me
Dog Days Are Over
