{"id":2037292,"date":"2026-07-10T10:08:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T07:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2037292"},"modified":"2026-07-10T10:08:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T07:08:01","slug":"florence-the-machine-live-at-mad-cool-florence-welch-goes-back-to-basics-and-bares-her-soul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2037292","title":{"rendered":"Florence + The Machine live at Mad Cool: Florence Welch goes back to basics and bares her soul"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/florence-and-the-machine@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-3332206\" class=\"post-3332206 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_71 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/florence-and-the-machine@2000x1270-696x442.jpg\" alt title=\"florence-and-the-machine@2000x1270\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Florence And The Machine at Mad Cool 2026. CREDIT: Javier Bragado<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_72\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_73  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_75  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>Reviews<\/span><span>Live Reviews<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_77 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_77\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Florence + The Machine live at Mad Cool: Florence Welch goes back to basics and bares her soul<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_78 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_78\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Madrid, Thursday, July 9: The band strip things back and perform an exorcism of negative energy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_80 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_80\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Liberty Dunworth<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_81 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T11:08:01+01:00\">10th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_82\" class=\"tdc-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_83  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>From the moment Florence Welch steps onto the stage at Mad Cool, it becomes clear that this headline set is going to be one to remember. Backed by a steady, almost unsettling drum beat, the singer slowly emerges from the darkness, eyes closed, hands clasped tight to her heart, putting one foot in front of the other with each thud. By this point in the night, we\u2019ve reached the early hours of Friday morning, but the blanket of darkness surrounding the band is almost fitting for the intimate, tender \u201critual\u201d about to come.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s never been a secret that Florence + The Machine can provoke a raw, visceral reaction with their music. Everything from Welch\u2019s effortlessly powerful, sometimes gut-wrenching, vocals through to the band\u2019s spellbinding melodies is tailored to hit the deep crevices of the soul \u2013 and with the stripped back set-up of the stage tonight, all of that was poignantly transferred to the live setting without any need for gimmicks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>\u201cIf you are here to scream, you\u2019ve come to the right show,\u201d the singer playfully reassures us, having just opened the set with the title track from latest album \u2018Everybody Scream\u2019 and following it up with the equally apt \u2018Shake It Out\u2019. From the first few moments of the show, it is blatantly clear that the band want to keep raw human emotion at the core. There are no visual backdrops throughout the full two hours, lighting is kept to a minimum, and choreography from the backing dancers is treated as a way to embody the emotion in Welch\u2019s lyrics, rather than becoming a big visual spectacle.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3956205\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3956205\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3956205\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/florence-and-the-machine-mad-cool@2000x1270.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3956205\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Florence And The Machine at Mad Cool 2026. CREDIT: Javier Bragado<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As expected, earlier hits like \u2018What Kind Of Man\u2019 and their cover of Candi Staton\u2019s \u2018You Got The Love\u2019 still stand as firm fan-favourites on the night, yet there is something unmistakably compelling about the newer material on the setlist. \u2018Sympathy Magic\u2019, \u2018One Of The Greats\u2019 and \u2018Buckle\u2019 all see Florence deliver her most soul-bearing performances of the night, and on more than one occasion have her taking a moment to stop and look out into the crowd in awe, barely able to hold back her smile as she takes it all in.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDidn\u2019t you come here to experience this?\u201d she asks before ending the show with \u2018Dog Days Are Over\u2019 and \u2018Free\u2019 \u2013 insisting that everyone keep their phone away so they can feel the connection to her and to her lyrics. Although it may take a few minutes of persuading to get everyone to comply, the end result makes for the most intense moment of the set, with thousands of fans unanimously jumping as the singer wildly sprints from one side of the stage to the other, repeating the earth-shattering chorus.<\/p>\n<p>Given the strong themes of spirituality, mysticism and witchcraft on the new album, which dropped last Halloween, Florence + The Machine could have easily leaned into the elaborate theatrics for their latest live shows. However, by stripping things all the way back to basics, the true emotion and power of their music can shine through. Tonight at Mad Cool wasn\u2019t about simply pleasing the eye; it was about bringing their songs to life in the most poignant way they could, exorcising past traumas, creating a sense of unity, and embracing a joyous new chapter.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Florence + The Machine played:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u2018Everybody Scream\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Shake It Out\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Which Witch\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Spectrum\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018You Got the Love\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Hunger\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018King\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Howl\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018What Kind of Man\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Heaven Is Here\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018One of the Greats\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Buckle\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Never Let Me Go\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Sympathy Magic\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Dog Days Are Over\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Free\u2019<\/p>\n<p><em>NME is the official media partner of Mad Cool\u200b<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Alternative<\/li>\n<li>Florence &amp; The Machine<\/li>\n<li>Florence Welch<\/li>\n<li>Indie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_88\" class=\"tdc-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_89  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_93  vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_95  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_97 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_98 td-pb-border-top td_module_flex_1--card td_module_flex_1--card--highlight td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_98\">\n<div id=\"tdi_98\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Sam Fender and Olivia Dean\u2019s \u2018Rein Me In\u2019 makes history as longest-running British Number One of all time<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Nick Cave &amp; The Bad Seeds announce Resident record shop takeover to celebrate huge Brighton homecoming show<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Courteeners\u2019 Liam Fray backs Andy Burnham\u2019s Labour leadership bid: \u201cHe\u2019s done a fantastic job in Manchester\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Features<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Mad Cool Festival 2026 Day Two in photos: Florence + the Machine, CMAT, Lorde and more<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Kasabian announce 2026 \u2018Nothing Better Than This\u2019 UK arena tour with The Vaccines<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">The Last Dinner Party bring us \u201cfinal tale from \u2018The Pyre&#8217;\u201d with cinematic new single \u2018Knocking At The Sky\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_99\" class=\"tdc-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_100  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_102  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_104 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>From the moment Florence Welch steps onto the stage at Mad Cool, it becomes clear that this headline set is going to be one to remember. Backed by a steady, almost unsettling drum beat, the singer slowly emerges from the darkness, eyes closed, hands clasped tight to her heart, putting one foot in front of the other with each thud. By this point in the night, we\u2019ve reached the early hours of Friday morning, but the blanket of darkness surrounding the band is almost fitting for the intimate, tender \u201critual\u201d about to come.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s never been a secret that Florence + The Machine can provoke a raw, visceral reaction with their music. Everything from Welch\u2019s effortlessly powerful, sometimes gut-wrenching, vocals through to the band\u2019s spellbinding melodies is tailored to hit the deep crevices of the soul \u2013 and with the stripped back set-up of the stage tonight, all of that was poignantly transferred to the live setting without any need for gimmicks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>\u201cIf you are here to scream, you\u2019ve come to the right show,\u201d the singer playfully reassures us, having just opened the set with the title track from latest album \u2018Everybody Scream\u2019 and following it up with the equally apt \u2018Shake It Out\u2019. From the first few moments of the show, it is blatantly clear that the band want to keep raw human emotion at the core. There are no visual backdrops throughout the full two hours, lighting is kept to a minimum, and choreography from the backing dancers is treated as a way to embody the emotion in Welch\u2019s lyrics, rather than becoming a big visual spectacle.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3956205\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3956205\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3956205\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/florence-and-the-machine-mad-cool@2000x1270.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3956205\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Florence And The Machine at Mad Cool 2026. CREDIT: Javier Bragado<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As expected, earlier hits like \u2018What Kind Of Man\u2019 and their cover of Candi Staton\u2019s \u2018You Got The Love\u2019 still stand as firm fan-favourites on the night, yet there is something unmistakably compelling about the newer material on the setlist. \u2018Sympathy Magic\u2019, \u2018One Of The Greats\u2019 and \u2018Buckle\u2019 all see Florence deliver her most soul-bearing performances of the night, and on more than one occasion have her taking a moment to stop and look out into the crowd in awe, barely able to hold back her smile as she takes it all in.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDidn\u2019t you come here to experience this?\u201d she asks before ending the show with \u2018Dog Days Are Over\u2019 and \u2018Free\u2019 \u2013 insisting that everyone keep their phone away so they can feel the connection to her and to her lyrics. Although it may take a few minutes of persuading to get everyone to comply, the end result makes for the most intense moment of the set, with thousands of fans unanimously jumping as the singer wildly sprints from one side of the stage to the other, repeating the earth-shattering chorus.<\/p>\n<p>Given the strong themes of spirituality, mysticism and witchcraft on the new album, which dropped last Halloween, Florence + The Machine could have easily leaned into the elaborate theatrics for their latest live shows. However, by stripping things all the way back to basics, the true emotion and power of their music can shine through. Tonight at Mad Cool wasn\u2019t about simply pleasing the eye; it was about bringing their songs to life in the most poignant way they could, exorcising past traumas, creating a sense of unity, and embracing a joyous new chapter.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Florence + The Machine played:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u2018Everybody Scream\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Shake It Out\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Which Witch\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Spectrum\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018You Got the Love\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Hunger\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018King\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Howl\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018What Kind of Man\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Heaven Is Here\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018One of the Greats\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Buckle\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Never Let Me Go\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Sympathy Magic\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Dog Days Are Over\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Free\u2019<\/p>\n<p><em>NME is the official media partner of Mad Cool\u200b<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/reviews\/live\/florence-the-machine-live-mad-cool-2026-report-setlist-photos-3956198&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/florence-and-the-machine@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;] Florence And The Machine at Mad Cool 2026. CREDIT: Javier Bragado ReviewsLive Reviews Florence + The Machine live at Mad Cool: Florence Welch goes back to basics and bares her soul Madrid, Thursday, July 9: The band strip things back and perform an exorcism of negative energy By Liberty Dunworth 10th July [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2037292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2037292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2037292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2037292\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2037292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2037292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2037292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}