Florence and the Machine

Photographer: Robert Howard

Location: Spartan Stadium, El Lansing, Michigan

Date: June 2011

Size: 24x24

Framed: Yes

While watching the live feed from Glastonbury 2011, my wife and I decided another month was too long to wait until U2 arrived for their anticipated Toronto and Montreal dates.
Their next show was East Lansing, Michigan, and to sweeten the pot, Florence + The Machine were opening. I checked Ticketmaster, hoping for a miracle... Sure enough, there was a ticket release of more GA. The following day we set off at 9am for the 5 1/2 hour drive. We prepared ourselves for a long queue and heavy security, but as luck would have it, security was a breeze, and we were able to get within a few feet of centre stage.

Florence was electrifying. Parading around the stage in her magnificent dress - she has a presence and confidence you can’t describe. And her voice... I knew we were experiencing an amazing artist. I could only hope that I had captured something of her performance. Early indications were that the bright sun had “washed out” the majority of my shots. But then there was this!

Following the show, we drove home and arrived as the sun was coming up. It was a surreal experience. Just 60 hours earlier, we were watching the Glastonbury feed and wishing we could be there. Somehow, this experience made up for that... almost.