Florence + The Machine are an English indie-rock band formed in London in 2007. The band is fronted by singer and songwriter Florence Welch — Florence Leontine Mary Welch, born 28 August 1986 in Camberwell, London — whose soaring voice and theatrical stage presence have made her one of the most distinctive frontwomen of her generation.
The group built its reputation on dramatic live shows and richly layered records, rising from the London indie scene to become one of Britain’s most celebrated modern bands, with multiple UK No. 1 albums and a string of global hit singles.
Early Life & Formation
Florence Leontine Mary Welch was born on 28 August 1986 in Camberwell, London. Her mother, Evelyn Welch (née Samuels), is an American-born professor of Renaissance Studies at King’s College London, and her father, Nick Welch, worked as an advertising executive.
The band came together in London in 2007 around Welch and keyboardist Isabella Summers. The original lineup was completed by guitarist Rob Ackroyd, drummer Christopher Lloyd Hayden and harpist Tom Monger — the harp becoming one of the group’s signature sounds.
Career
Debut & breakthrough: The debut album Lungs was released on 3 July 2009. It first peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, then climbed to No. 1 after 28 consecutive weeks on the chart, spending 65 consecutive weeks in the UK Top 40. It went on to win the BRIT Award for Best British Album in 2010. Welch had already won the BRIT Critics’ Choice award in 2009.
Ceremonials: The second album, Ceremonials, arrived in October 2011 and debuted at No. 1 in the UK while reaching No. 6 in the US, cementing the band’s international status.
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful: Released on 2 June 2015, the third album hit No. 1 in the UK and gave the band their first No. 1 on the US Billboard 200.
Glastonbury 2015: The band headlined Glastonbury Festival in 2015, with Welch becoming the first British female headliner of the 21st century.
Awards & Facts
Grammy nominations: Florence + The Machine have earned six Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist — all nominations, never wins.
Hit songs: Their biggest singles include “Dog Days Are Over” (released as a single on 1 December 2008; written by Welch and Isabella Summers and produced by James Ford), “Shake It Out”, “Spectrum”, “Ship to Wreck” and “Hunger”.
Book: Welch published Useless Magic in 2018, a collection of her lyrics and poetry.
New album (reported): In a Guardian interview published on 27 September 2025, Welch discussed working on new material, with an album reported to be titled “Everybody Scream” and new songs “Music By Men” and “Sympathy Magic” mentioned. These details are reported only and have not been officially confirmed.
Sound: The band’s music pairs dramatic, eccentric productions with Welch’s powerful vocals, and has been described as alternative rock, baroque pop and soul.
Watch the Official Video
Watch the official music video for “Dog Days Are Over” below:
FAQs
Who is the lead singer of Florence + The Machine, and how old is she?
The lead singer is Florence Leontine Mary Welch, born 28 August 1986 in Camberwell, London — she is 40 years old as of 2026.
How did the band form?
Welch joined forces with keyboardist Isabella Summers in London in 2007. Guitarist Rob Ackroyd, drummer Christopher Lloyd Hayden and harpist Tom Monger completed the original lineup, and the band quickly became known for its dramatic live performances.
What are their biggest songs?
Their signature hits include “Dog Days Are Over”, “Shake It Out”, “Spectrum”, “Ship to Wreck” and “Hunger”.
Have they won any Grammys?
No. Florence + The Machine have received six Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, but have never won a Grammy.
For more artist profiles, read our The 1975 biography, Imagine Dragons biography, Linkin Park biography and Oasis biography.
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