07 December 2009 (gig)
10 December 2009
Her new album is called Lungs and, by golly, Florence of Florence and the Machine fame sure knows how to get the best out of her internal bellows. But unfortunately, in this instance, to no great effect.
That is not to say that she was not warmly received by this Belfast audience, quite the reverse. From the moment this belle du jour slinked on stage, ecstatic screams of delight wafted upwards into the cavernous confines of the venue’s convex roof.
As she went about her business, looking and acting like a Duracell version of Stevie Nicks, the high levels of reverence and audience respect were maintained. However, for the discerning observer, it was plain that her much-vaunted voice was having difficulties competing with the airy venue to deliver impact and resonance.
Indeed, some of her extended wailings and warblings suggested the presence of a nearby legendary Irish banshee as the heavily echoed vocals reverberated around the Ulster Hall in search of sanctuary.
For despite the million pounds or so spent on revamping the historical hall, the perennial problems that have plagued the venue – dodgy acoustics – have not been overcome. Not by this singer on this evidence in any case.
Songs like Kiss with a Fist and Birdsong were pleasingly delivered from a stage that looked as if an Indian wedding party had just cleared out moments earlier.
However there was no elevating the spirit to a transcendental state tonight and the overwhelming feeling was that both band and audience could do so much better.
