Florence + The Machine headlined Reading Festival for the first time on August 30, taking to the main stage, now called The Grid, shortly before 8 p.m. The set came ahead of fellow Sunday headliners Chase & Status, according to NME.
The performance marked Florence Welch and the band’s first appearance at Reading since 2012. It also followed a headline set at Leeds Festival on Friday, which happened to fall on Welch’s birthday.
During the show, Welch moved energetically across the stage and led the crowd through songs including “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)” and “You Got The Love.” She told fans the festival was the first one she ever wanted to attend and said her father took her when she was 14.
For “Dog Days Are Over,” Welch asked the audience to take part in “a small ritual” and told them to put their phones away so they could fully experience the song. IDLES guitarist Mark Bowen also joined the band for “One Of The Greats,” and the set closed the group’s “Everybody Scream” tour, which began in February and later moved through North America and back to Europe for festival dates.
