Biography
From Camberwell Stairwells to Global Stages: The Florence + The Machine Story
Early Life and Formation
Florence Leontine Mary Welch was born on 28 August 1986 in Camberwell, South London, into a family of writers and academics. Her mother, Evelyn Welch, is a professor of Renaissance studies and later became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol; her father, Nick Welch, worked in advertising. Raised alongside a brother and sister, Welch attended Thomas's Battersea and Alleyn's School before enrolling in an Art Foundation course at Camberwell College of Arts, part of University of the Arts London. She has described skipping lessons to test the acoustics of stairwells and singing in school assemblies as early expressions of her musical impulse.
At Camberwell, Welch met Isabella Summers, a Central Saint Martins graduate nicknamed "The Machine." The pair began collaborating around 2005 under the name Florence Robot & Isa Machine, a private joke that Welch later said "got out of hand." The name Florence + The Machine emerged hours before their first gig when Welch realised the original moniker was too long. Early performances in Camden venues attracted the attention of BBC Introducing and NME, which included them on the 2009 Shockwaves NME Awards Tour alongside Glasvegas and Friendly Fires.
Breakthrough with Lungs
The debut album Lungs was released on 6 July 2009 through Island Records, produced by James Ford, Paul Epworth, Steve Mackey, and Charlie Hugall. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number two, climbed to number one by January 2010, and remained in the top 40 for 65 consecutive weeks — one of the longest runs of the decade. In the US, it peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard 200 after a Heatseekers chart ascent. The album's singles — "Kiss with a Fist," "Dog Days Are Over," "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)," "Drumming Song," "You've Got the Love," and "Cosmic Love" — showcased Welch's dynamic range and the band's blend of indie rock propulsion with harp, choir, and orchestral flourishes.
At the 2009 Brit Awards, Florence + The Machine won the Critics' Choice Award, only the second act to do so after Adele. The following year, Lungs won the Mastercard British Album award at the 2010 Brits, where Welch performed a celebrated mash-up of "You've Got the Love" with Dizzee Rascal's "Dirtee Cash." The band also won Best International Band at the 2010 Meteor Awards and earned a Best New Artist nomination at the 53rd Grammy Awards. By 2011, Welch was ranked in the Time 100 poll of influential people, and Beyoncé cited the band as an influence on her album 4.
Ceremonials and Transatlantic Consolidation
Released on 28 October 2011, Ceremonials debuted at number one in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, and number six on the US Billboard 200. Welch described the album's thematic core as an "obsession with drowning," expressed through pervasive water imagery. The lead single "Shake It Out" reached number twelve in the UK and number seventy-two on the Billboard Hot 100, earning Grammy nominations for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album. A Calvin Harris remix of "Spectrum (Say My Name)" became the band's first UK number-one single in July 2012.
The Ceremonials era saw Welch collaborate with Calvin Harris on "Sweet Nothing" (from Harris's album 18 Months), which topped the UK Singles Chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording. She also contributed "Breath of Life" to the Snow White and the Huntsman soundtrack and "Over the Love" to Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. In mid-2012, Welch suffered a vocal cord injury that forced cancellation of European festival dates; she later described feeling "something snap" during a performance. A planned twelve-month hiatus followed before work began on the third album.
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful and Glastonbury History
Announced in February 2015, the third album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful was released on 1 June 2015 via Island/Republic. Produced by Markus Dravs, it debuted at number one in eight countries including the UK and US — the band's first Billboard 200 chart-topper. The lead single "What Kind of Man" showcased a heavier, guitar-driven sound and earned Grammy nominations for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song (the latter for Welch and co-writers John Hill and Tom Hull). "Ship to Wreck" and "Queen of Peace" followed as singles.
In June 2015, the band was announced as Glastonbury Festival's Saturday night headliner after Foo Fighters withdrew due to Dave Grohl's leg injury. Welch's set drew widespread critical acclaim; she dedicated "Times Like These" to Grohl and became the first British female solo artist to headline Glastonbury in the 21st century. The album earned five nominations at the 58th Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Recording Package. By year's end, it had sold over a million copies worldwide.
High as Hope, Dance Fever, and Creative Expansion
Released on 29 June 2018, High as Hope marked a more intimate, less production-heavy turn. Singles "Sky Full of Song," "Hunger," and "Patricia" preceded the album, which debuted at number two in the UK and number six in the US. Welch described the record as exploring vulnerability without the "armour" of previous work. In July 2018, she published Useless Magic, a collection of lyrics, poems, and illustrations spanning Lungs to High as Hope. Her portrait from the Ceremonials era entered the National Portrait Gallery's permanent collection, and she performed "Wild Horses" with Mick Jagger at London Stadium during the Rolling Stones' No Filter Tour.
The pandemic-era fifth album Dance Fever arrived on 13 May 2022, preceded by singles "King," "Heaven Is Here," and "My Love," all directed by Autumn de Wilde. Welch framed the record as "a fairytale in 14 songs" inspired by choreomania — the historical phenomenon of dancing mania — and Renaissance folklore. It debuted at number one in the UK and number seven in the US. "King" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Performance at the 65th Awards. A live album, Dance Fever (Live at Madison Square Garden), followed in October 2022. In 2024, Welch performed "Florida!!!" with Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour at Wembley and Miami, and appeared with the Jules Buckley Orchestra at the BBC Proms, released as Symphony of Lungs (2024).
Everybody Scream and Ongoing Evolution
Announced on 19 August 2025, the sixth album Everybody Scream was released on 31 October 2025 via Polydor/Republic. Welch described it as the most personal record yet, delving into a near-death experience during the Dance Fever tour and exploring themes of witchcraft, folk horror, mysticism, and mortality. The baroque, orchestral chamber-pop album was preceded by singles "Everybody Scream," "One of The Greats" (written as a long poem and recorded in one take), "Sympathy Magic," and "Buckle." It debuted at number one on six Billboard album charts and number four on the Billboard 200, while securing a fifth UK number-one album.
The Everybody Scream Tour launched in 2026, visiting arenas across Europe and North America including The O2 Arena in London and Madison Square Garden in New York. The band also headlined Sziget Festival 2026 and Reading & Leeds 2026. In April 2026, Florence + The Machine partnered with Planned Parenthood for US tour dates amid ongoing reproductive rights debates, reflecting Welch's increasing engagement with social advocacy. As of 2026, the project continues with Welch as its sole constant member, supported by a touring ensemble including Summers, Tom Monger (harp), and newer collaborators.
Selected moments
Career highlights
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Brit Awards Critics' Choice Award
Won the Critics' Choice Award at the 2009 Brit Awards, only the second recipient after Adele, signalling industry recognition before debut album release.
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Brit Award for British Album of the Year
Lungs won the Mastercard British Album award at the 2010 Brit Awards, defeating nominees including Dizzee Rascal, Kasabian, Lily Allen, and Paolo Nutini.
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First UK Number-One Single
Calvin Harris's remix of "Spectrum (Say My Name)" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's first chart-topping single.
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Glastonbury Festival Headline Slot
Became the first British female solo headliner of the 21st century at Glastonbury Festival, stepping in for Foo Fighters to widespread critical acclaim.
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Useless Magic Publication and National Portrait Gallery Acquisition
Published debut poetry collection Useless Magic; portrait from Ceremonials era entered permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.
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Grammy Nomination for Best Alternative Music Performance
Single "King" from Dance Fever nominated at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, marking the band's seventh Grammy nomination overall.
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Honorary Fellowship, University of the Arts London
Awarded Honorary Fellow status by UAL, recognising contributions to music, culture, and creative education; Welch studied at Camberwell College of Arts before music career.
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Fifth UK Number-One Album with Everybody Scream
Sixth studio album Everybody Scream debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, marking fifth chart-topping album; also topped six Billboard album charts in the US.
Recognition
Major Awards and Nominations
Florence + The Machine has received two Brit Awards from twelve nominations, including the 2009 Critics' Choice Award and the 2010 British Album of the Year for Lungs. The band has earned seven Grammy nominations across categories including Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, Best Dance Recording, and Best Alternative Music Performance, without a win to date. Additional honours include three NME Awards, three Q Awards, four UK Music Video Awards, and an Ivor Novello nomination.
- Brit Awards
- 2
- Grammy Awards
- 0
- NME Awards
- 3
- Q Awards
- 3
| Year | Award | Category | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Brit Awards | Critics' Choice AwardWinner | |
| 2010 | Brit Awards | British Album of the YearWinner | Lungs |
| 2010 | Brit Awards | British Female Solo ArtistNominee | |
| 2010 | Brit Awards | British Breakthrough ActNominee | |
| 2011 | Grammy Awards | Best New ArtistNominee | |
| 2013 | Grammy Awards | Best Pop Vocal AlbumNominee | Ceremonials |
| 2013 | Grammy Awards | Best Pop Duo/Group PerformanceNominee | Shake It Out |
| 2014 | Grammy Awards | Best Dance RecordingNominee | Sweet Nothing |
| 2016 | Grammy Awards | Best Pop Vocal AlbumNominee | How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful |
| 2016 | Grammy Awards | Best Pop Duo/Group PerformanceNominee | Ship to Wreck |
| 2016 | Grammy Awards | Best Rock PerformanceNominee | What Kind of Man |
| 2016 | Grammy Awards | Best Rock SongNominee | What Kind of Man |
| 2023 | Grammy Awards | Best Alternative Music PerformanceNominee | King |