Live Review: Florence + the Machine with CMAT at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, 5/1/26

Florence + the Machine has been mesmerizing fans for some seventeen years now. Leader Florence Welch’s magnetic attraction seems to only be growing. The sold out crowd in Atlanta was full of worshippers in flowing gowns and flowered headdresses. Touring in support of her sixth studio album Everybody Scream, Welch was in rare form – and that powerhouse voice is as strong as ever.

As the lights went down, dancers – all cloaked in black – moved mysteriously on the jetty-like arm of the stage near mid-floor. Welch then rose from beneath the stage, arms outstretched as if casting a spell on the crowd. Wearing a flowing sheer gown, the singer opened with the title track of the new album. Her trademark shimmering red hair was intact, as was her bandmates’ precision playing.

Throughout the night, Welch took full advantage of the thrust stage, even descending the stairs to mingle with fans, holding hands, hugging the cryers, and genuinely connecting with those lucky pit-dwellers. “Shake it Out,” from the Ceremonials album, was a crowd fave. The 39-year-old, barefoot as always, ran and skipped up and down the stage, rarely lingering much with the band. Her energy is high, even after her near-death experience three years ago following a failed ectopic pregnancy and emergency surgery.

The singer’s comparisons to Kate Bush, Siouxsie Sioux, and other female singers notwithstanding, she has cited Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane as her musical hero and the prominent influence in her career. Before performing “Buckle,” Welch addressed the fans stating, “I didn’t want to release this next song. I let people hear it and they all kept saying, ‘You’ve got to release that song!’ But it’s embarrassing because it’s about people not texting me back.” The crowd laughed. “But I finally decided to release it.”

The main set came to and end with “Sympathy Magic” from the new album, a wonderful piece with the singer commenting on fame and aging. “Memory fails me, names and faces blur / There is only after or before / Am I so different, have I changed?” Welch sings/pleads/seeks to understand.

The encore kicked off with a four-song set beginning with a mesmerizing “One of the Greats,” another self-reflection of a career in full-bloom but underscoring the blight of sexism, misogyny and gender bias in the music industry.

It must be nice to be a man and make boring music just because you can
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan
You’re my second favorite frontman
And you could have me if you weren’t so afraid of me
It’s funny how men don’t find power very sexy

Up next was a true show-stopper and the biggest hit of the band’s career, “The Dog Days Are Over.” The song, from their debut album in 2009, has an instantly recognizable intro of a harp, quickly erupting with handclaps and drums as the propulsive tune entered the arena to the joy of all. A chorus of roughly 20,000 voices backing up the band was a miracle.

Hailing from Dublin, opener CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson) lit up the crowd with a phenomenal set of her country-tinged pop creations. Her third studio album, EURO-COUNTRY, debuted at number one on the Irish charts, as did her first two releases. It’s clear the Irish love her, and that love is spreading around the globe. And what’s not to love? Her energy is infectious, her vulnerability endearing.

She even spoke of a recent rough patch, in which people were body shaming her and just being downright hateful. “Just be kind,” were her words to the Atlanta fans, resulting is a resounding roar of support. The band played several of their most popular songs, including, “Take A Sexy Picture Of Me,” “I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby!,” and their closer, “Stay For Something.”

“I’m from Ireland,” the singer exclaimed between songs, “And so are most of these gay people up here. We play our own versions of country music.” The singer seemed genuinely taken aback by the love and support flowing from the audience. “Atlanta’s my favorite city I don’t know about you!” CMAT is just hours away from becoming a household name. Keep an eye on them.

For more information on tours and music visit the bands websites at Florence + the Machine along with CMAT. Check out the #SetListPlayList for both bands below.