Review: Florence + The Machine's secret show at Mrs Macquarie's Chair, July 2015.

Florence + The Machine can do no wrong in my eyes. Following the incredible show at Sydney’s State Theatre last night (click here to read our review), there was no rest for the wicked, as they performed a secret acoustic set on a sunny afternoon at Mrs Macquarie's Chair - a picturesque peninsula which looked out onto the Sydney Harbour and the Opera House.

Although Florence’s set was a mere six songs in length, her vocals commanded the entire intimate setting, accompanied by acoustic guitar, drums, a keyboard, and a harp - a hugely stripped-back performance compared to her full live band that was seen the night before. Opening with ’Ship To Wreck’, Florence’s vocals soared throughout the open-air venue, meaning that even those who didn’t get tickets would have been serenaded by her dulcet tones.

Florence led a singalong during ‘Shake It Out’ - turning the audience from avid listeners to a back-up choir. The show also marked the first time that ‘Queen Of Peace’ has been played in an acoustic setting, making the show all that more special for the fans who had won tickets to attend the event. It was clear that Florence was enjoying herself immensely - even laughing when they didn’t start the song correctly, but once they started - no-one could fault anything about the performance.

Closing the set was ‘Dog Days Are Over’, but not entirely - as after Florence left the stage, the crowd starting chanting for her return, to which she happily obliged. ‘Only If For A Night’ was the last that was heard from Florence for the show, and she went out with a bang.

Luckily for fans who weren’t able to make the show, Florence + The Machine has just announced an Australian + New Zealand tour for this November - click here for more info.

Set-list:
Ship To Wreck
Shake It Out
Queen Of Peace
What Kind Of Man
Dog Days Are Over

Encore:
Only If For A Night