Florence + the Machine are amongst Taylor Swift‘s newest collaborators, however she has been pals with lead singer Florence Welch for not less than a decade.
“What units Florence aside? Every part,” Swift instructed Billboard in Might 2015. “Each time I’ve been round her, she is essentially the most magnetic particular person within the room — surrounded by people who find themselves fascinated by the concept of being close to her. However when she meets individuals, she pays them a heat praise and instantly disarms them. There are only a few individuals I’ve met in my life who’re really electrical, and Florence is one in every of them.”
The British singer credited Swift with serving to her be courageous sufficient to launch her susceptible third album, 2015’s How Massive, How Blue, How Lovely. “Taylor stated that you have to sing about what’s taking place in your life,” Welch instructed Billboard on the time, including that she tries to go to Swift every time she finds herself in New York Metropolis.
The pair run in comparable circles with Welch being pals with Swift’s bestie Blake Energetic, even singing at her and Ryan Reynolds‘ 2012 marriage ceremony.The “Canine Days Are Over” singer additionally works with a number of of Swift’s collaborators. She has teamed up with Calvin Harris and Rihanna on “18 Months (Steady Combine)” whereas Swift labored with Harris and Riri on “This Is What You Got here For” beneath the pseudonym Nils Sjöberg. (Swift and Harris dated for 15 months, splitting in June 2016.)
Welch has additionally labored with Swift’s longtime producer Jack Antonoff, whose identify has been on greater than 10 of Swift’s albums. He produced a lot of the tracks on Florence + the Machine’s 2022 album, Dance Fever, whereas Welch co-wrote, co-produced and offered backing vocals for Antonoff’s “Self Respect,” a Bleachers music launched in March 2024.
As her first collaboration with Swift debuts on The Tortured Poets Division in April 2024, take a look at a historical past of Swift and Welch’s friendship:
Might 2015
Swift instructed Billboard of Welch: “She’s essentially the most enjoyable particular person to bounce with at a celebration, however then 5 minutes later you end up sitting on the steps along with her having an in-depth dialog about love and heartbreak.”
Amid these in-depth conversations, the England native reached out to Swift for recommendation after her relationship fell aside. “I do know it sounds a cliché, however she’s good to speak to about boys,” Welch instructed The Sunday Instances Journal. “She is aware of her stuff.”
Welch recalled getting recommendation from a gaggle of A-listers at Swift’s New York Metropolis condo at an impromptu pizza social gathering after the Met Gala. “Lena Dunham was there, and Spike Jonze and Reese Witherspoon and Zooey Deschanel, consuming pizza, speaking about boys,” Welch recalled. “I’d already requested a great deal of taxi drivers and everybody else I’d met [for advice], so I assumed, why not Taylor Swift and Spike Jonze too?”
Nonetheless, she didn’t share their particular perception. “I don’t need to go an excessive amount of into it, however they had been very useful.”
October 2015
Welch stated she hoped to see Swift’s 1989 tour when requested a couple of potential visitor look.
“Our schedules haven’t crossed over sufficient, however I’d clearly like to carry out,” she instructed USA Right now. “Primarily, I simply need to see the present. I’m unhappy I haven’t been in a position to but, however I actually need to.”
She added that her favourite music was “Shake It Off” as a result of “it simply makes me so glad.”
February 2016
The ladies went head-to-head on the Grammys for Pop Vocal Album the place Swift’s 1989 beat Florence + the Machine’s How Massive, How Blue, How Lovely.
Forward of the ceremony, Welch clarified whereas on E! Reside From the Purple Carpet that Swift didn’t encourage her to write down the album. Nonetheless, her pal gave her the arrogance to launch such a susceptible file.
“Properly, it really was after I completed the file [that] I noticed her out and I used to be actually nervous,” Welch defined. “I felt like I’ve made such a private file, and , she manages to, like, use components, have a life, however with such grace. And I do know I used to be simply nervous about it, and he or she stated she was like, ‘It’s received that good power.’”
Might 2016
Welch attended the Met Gala, which was co-chaired by Swift that 12 months. She was noticed signing the solid on Lorde’s damaged arm as Swift appeared on.
January 2023
The friends had been noticed at The 1975’s London live performance the place Swift took the stage to carry out “Anti-Hero.” Unfastened Girls host Denise Welch posted a photograph with the American singer that had the rock star within the background. “Taylor with the Welch’s 👍👍,” Denise wrote by way of X.
April 2024
Swift will launch The Tortured Poets Division, the eighth observe of which is titled “Florida!!!” and options Florence + the Machine.