By Lisa Woolfson

Sometimes mainstream, sometimes not, with their blend of folk, pop, and alternative rock, Florence + the Machine will rock the stage at The Anthem on Oct. 5-6.

Florence Welch and Isabella “Machine” Summers started the band and first signed with Island Records in 2008. 10 years and four studio albums later they’re still going strong.

With hits like “You’ve Got The Love”, “Dog Days Are Over” and “Shake it Out”, Florence + the Machine became mainstream in the United States as well as the UK.

Florence + the Machine released their latest album “High as Hope”  this past June and it was described by NPR as having “tender optimism”.

Welch is known for her powerful vocals, and the band is known for their dramatic, metaphoric songs with self-destructive messages. But this album is quieter, softer and for the first time, Welch is credited as a producer.

Welch says in a New York Times interview,  “I made myself more vulnerable and made a step away from the metaphoric. It created a creative bravery.”

For those who don’t listen to the radio, Florence + the Machine’s music is also featured in a number of movie soundtracks including “Snow White and the Huntsman” and “The Great Gatsby”.

Supporting act Beth Ditto recently started a solo career after the rock band “Gossip” broke up. Her debut album as a solo artist  “Fake Sugar” is a combination of blues, rock, country and soul.

Tickets to see Florence + the Machine and Beth Ditto at The Anthem on Oct. 5-6 can be purchased here.

Featured Photo Credit: Courtesy of Florence + the Machine’s Facebook page.

Lisa Woolfson is a junior journalism and government and politics major and can be reached at lisasamw@gmail.com.