In September, Florence + The Machine took the stage at Royal Albert Hall alongside Jules Buckley and his Orchestra for a performance celebrating 15 years of her seminal debut album Lungs. As part of the BBC Proms classical musical festival, the show will be aired on BBC Two and iPlayer on October 19th. On top of that, Florence and Jules have now announced a live album, Symphony of Lungs (BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall), will be released digitally on Friday, October 25th and on vinyl and CD in 2025.
Order Florence + The Machine’s Symphony of Lungs (BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall).
The show received 5-star reviews across the board, praising the new arrangements and Florence Welch’s commanding stage presence. “When I first heard Jules’s orchestration, I cried,” Welch told the audience. “This album is about feeling and I never thought anyone could add more feeling. But Jules did.”
80,000 fans tried for tickets as soon as they went on sale, with a further 20,000 trying to snap up one of the few floor seats that are made available on the morning of the show. Many were left disappointed as they sold out in seven minutes. Those who managed to get in saw Florence take the opulent stage in a blood red, flowing Rodarte gown. The orchestra and choir were dressed by Allen & Adcock.
In a statement, Welch shared, “I always thought maybe I would give my first album a long title. Under Heaven Over Hell (‘uh oh’ for short) was one idea. But, when I thought of ‘Lungs’, I knew it had to be that. This album is truly an exhalation and a gasp – a cacophony of ideas and influences. For things to get so big so fast on a debut album is both an unknowable blessing and a curse. You never know if the record (or the person) will survive it.”
“To be able to go back to it, 15 years and five albums later, and have it still be so loved is the most extraordinary thing. Re-imagining it with Jules Buckley and his Orchestra was an act of enormous catharsis.”
Order Florence + The Machine’s Symphony of Lungs (BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall).
