Further to her inclusion in the BBC's 'Sound of 2010' list, Welsh songstress Ellie Goulding has just been awarded the Critics' Choice Brit Award, having been deemed the musical act most likely to 'make it big' in 2010.I'm a devoted fan of Ellie's music but even I'll concede that she'll have her work cut out for her in order to match the achievements of the previous recipient - Florence and the Machine.
It's hard to believe that it's only been twelve months since flame-haired singer Florence Welch first permeated the public consciousness . Seeing her so at ease playing to a sold-out crowd in Dublin's Olympia Theatre, you'd swear she had been entertaining the masses all her life.
The stage in The Olympia has been doused in flowers for the occasion and a neon floral pattern serves as a backdrop. Barefoot and clad in a full-length black dress with big, dramatic sleeves, Florence emerges and quickly launches into her set, comprising mostly of songs from her debut album 'Lungs', which State recently ranked among their best records of the decade.
When she croons the opening lines of 'My Boy Builds Coffins' and her powerful vocal soars above the excited chatter of the audience, Florence illustrates why the title of her album couldn't be more fitting.
After greeting the audience in a soft-spoken voice that is somewhat at odds with her almighty singing voice, she has everybody busting a move to big singles 'Kiss With a Fist' and 'Drumming Song'. The big cheer that was reserved for 'Cosmic Love' at Oxegen (in the wake of the 02 ads) isn't as deafening tonight. Over time, it seems, people have realised that 'Lungs' is an album filled with potential favourites.
At one point in the night, Florence comments that she likes to write songs that are quiet one moment and really loud the next. In a live setting, she handles the transitions perfectly, one minute gently serenading us before thrashing about the stage and shrieking like a banshee.
The set is perfectly paced and builds towards a beautiful moment where, tottering barefoot atop one of the speakers during 'Dog Days Are Over', Florence implores us to sit down on the floor before making us jump up just as the climax of the song kicks in.
Credit must also go to Florence's bandmates ('The Machine') who don't miss a beat, the harpist being a particularly crucial component in the dynamic. The technical side of things seems equally well handled, and some dazzling light programming really helps to enhance the bewitching performance .
For her encore, Florence is joined onstage by writing partner Isabella Summers and even a fluff-up during relatively unknown song 'Falling' can't upset the momentum. The night is capped off with a rousing performance of 'You've Got The Love', which sees Florence take to the balconies and, for a moment, you could be forgiven for thinking she's about to take flight.
The talk of 'tips for 2010' is likely to continue for the next few weeks. As for 2009? Lady Gaga may have hogged more headlines, La Roux may have had more radio rotations and Susan Boyle may have sold more albums, but there's no denying who this year belongs to: Flo and her Mo.
[Image: Lucia Orlandi]
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