UK indie-rock group Florence and the Machine visit Salt Lake City at the Maverick Center in West Valley City, bringing along supporting musical acts including St. Vincent and Lizzo. I trekked out to West Valley, found some parking for $10 and make my way to the entrance, G.A. on the left, seating on the right, and fans trickle in as they fill the seats and get a spot up front on the usually icy, ice-rink floor.
While attendees are still coming in, musical artist Melissa Jefferson (aka Lizzo), DJ Sophia Eris and some fabulous backup dancers hit the stage. Singing mixes of alternative, hip-hop and dance tracks, Lizzo uses her powerful voice, vivacious stage presence and aura of self-confidence to energize the audience. She sings about boys, where her phone is and looking/feeling good as hell and it’s safe to say that Lizzo made a few new fans that night.
Next to the spotlight is American indie/art rock musician Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent). As each musician takes their place, audience members see St. Vincent, slipped into a fierce dark-green, leather jumpsuit, accompanied by bassist Toko Yasuda as well as keyboardist Daniel Mintseris and drummer, Matt Johnson. Minsteris and Johnson are each donning masks that can only be described as from the “Muppet Nightmare” line. Playing a selection of music that might best be described as experimental, industrial-electronica, St. Vincent plays guitar and provides vocals over looping effects via keyboard and hard-hitting notes in between before transitioning into more easily digestible, dance-based pieces.
After a set change and an overall transformation with the reveal of an massive, intricately carved, wooden stage setup, Florence and the Machine take the stage one by one with the titular figurehead Florence Welch, teases her entrance as audience members spot her peeking in through the open slats of the impressive wooden stage. Florence approaches the microphone, greets the audience and like a forest nymph out of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream and with a voice of a thunderstorm, sings for the audience. With the minor delay in the performance due to technical difficulties, Florence and the Machine provide a high energy, enveloping performance that, while at times ethereal, is no less powerful and entertaining for the audience.
Lizzo and her back-up dancers on stage at the Maverick Center. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Back-up dancer having a blast on stage. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Hip Hop artist Lizzo on stage at the Maverick Center. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Lizzo has got some pipes … Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Lizzo singing in a fancy robe adorned with feathers. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
DJ Sophia Eris as she approaches the stage. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Lizzo on stage in Salt Lake City. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
DJ Sophia Eris providing back up vocals for Lizzo. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
St. Vincent stands alone in a spot light before the performance starts. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
The stuff nightmares are made of. Keyboardist for St. Vincent wears an unsettling mask while on stage. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
St. Vincent on stage at the Maverick Center in Salt Lake City. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Bassist Toko Yasuda playing with St. Vincent. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
St. Vincent rocking out while playing her more experimental work. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
St. Vincent stands in the spotlight playing at the Maverik Center. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
St. Vincent belting it out on stage in Salt Lake City. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
St. Vincent says it is great to be playing, “with such strong women.” Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine on stage in Salt Lake CIty. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Florence Welch singing on the massive and breathtaking wooden stage. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Bassist for Florence and the Machine. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Dancing all across the stage, lead singer Florence Welch. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Part concert, part performance art with Florence and the Machine. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Florence gives a wave my way. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Drummer for Florence and the Machine. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Florence + The Machine on the amazing massive wooden layered panel pieces. At the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Lexie, Trevor, Kassie, Lundyn al heading in to the show. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Kayla and Ikle heading their seats. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Cassie, Linee and Cacilia posing for a quick photo before they go inside and grab their seats. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Josh and Kelsie heading into the Maverick Center for Florence + The Machine. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Crowds trickle into the Maverik Center for Florence + The Machine as the sun heads down. Photo: www.Lmsorenson.net
Your donations allow us to share underrepresented stories for FREE!