How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

October really was a big month for me. One of the best things that happened was seeing Florence + the Machine live for the first time. I have been a fan of hers since before one of her songs appeared on the CW, which is really when she became popular. The first time I heard one of her songs, I felt a deep connection to her. Her music is unlike any other artist I've ever heard.

Seeing her live was a religious experience. While I am a spiritual person, I truly think my religion is music. This show would 100% back me up on that claim.

The band that went on before her definitely set the scene. If you ever wondered where psychedelic rock went, you'll find it with A Ghost of a Sabre Tooth Tiger..

The moment she came on stage I felt uplifted. I stood up and never sat back down. I danced the entire show away. I was incredibly surprised when she spoke the first time because her regular voice is so light and airy, in complete contrast with her gospel strong singing voice.

I tried to get many pictures. But sometimes, it's best to just put the camera away. Especially when Florence asks you too. Most of the pictures I took turned out blurry anyway. Florence danced and galloped across the stage, into the crowd, all around the Bowl, and back the entire show. All, I might add, while belting her songs with her insanely powerful voice. I think I know now why her first album was called Lungs. She sure as hell has them.

There was a moment where I kind of wish there were 2 of me, so one could absorb everything that was happening while the other took pictures. But sometimes you need to fully immerse yourself in the present moment, to see it with your own eyes and commit it to memory. Sometimes you just can't witness a moment through a screen. At the end of Big, Blue, Beautiful, there were only 2 lights on stage. One was the sun, the other a spotlight directed towards the audience. In front of it, was Florence. She danced exactly the way she needed to dance to express herself in that exact moment. It was entirely beautiful. To be honest, I almost cried I was so overwhelmed with it all. It felt like anything was possible... even like I could create art again.

Between songs, Florence would share with us her personal journey of everything from the first song she wrote to how she wrote her most recent album.

At the end of the show, she asked everyone to take something off anf wave it above her head. She herself grabbed someone's top? sweater? (not sure), took off her own shirt and danced around. Since she was barefoot the whole show, it only made sence to end it in just a bra and pants.

All in all, this was one of the best nights I've had. I ended the night telling my boyfriend everything as we sat on his front porch. Between the live music buzz, the fresh night air, and my beer... everything was perfect.

Photographed by: myself & Caroline Reich