Florence + the Machine: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Oct. 16, 2018, Josh Rogosin Her nervousness was palpable and stood in stark contrast to her fully produced stage show. I m sorry I m shy, Florence Welch told the crowd of NPR family and friends gathered for her Tiny Desk performance. If this was a big gig, I d probably be climbing all over here and running Opening with the song June, from Florence + the Machine s 2018 album High As Hope, Florence performed with her eyes closed. By the end of the threesong set, she fully embraced the experience and gave in to the rapturous audience. Within seconds of hearing her first note, the raw power of her unamplified voice was chilling. It s impossible to talk about Florence without her backing band. Tom Monger adds exquisite ethereal textures to the songs with his stunning mastery of the pedal harp. Hazel Mill s backing vocals and anthemic power chords on the keys accentuate the poignancy of the lyrics at just the right moments. And Robert Ackroyd s rhythmic, steady acoustic guitar drives the music