Florence And The Machine Acoustic Set @ Teddy's At The Roosevelt Hotel 10/29/09

Before introducing the band to the stage at Teddy's bar in the Roosevelt Hotel last night, Universal Music VP of Marketing Kim Garner told the crowd the upcoming act made her "excited about music again". Sure, cue the comparisons of Florence Welch to Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Annie Lennox or any other flame-haired songstress, but Welch, who performs with a backing band as Florence & the Machine, deserves her spot amongst the red-tressed legends. The 23-year-old showed she was in a league of her own above the rest of the latest British imports (sorry, Lily Allen!) during her performance last night. With just a harpist, acoustic guitarist and her own powerhouse voice, Welch mesmerized the audience with six songs from her debut album, "Lungs", along with a cover of the '90s dance club hit, "You Got the Love" by The Source & Candi Stanton. Among the songs included the punk-infused, love-hate relationship anthem "Kiss with a Fist" and the equally powerful "Dog Days Are Over" and "Cosmic Love." From the opening notes of the first song, "Drumming", to the last bar or of the final song, "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)", the crowd fell in love with Florence Welch. America, listen up.

Check back for an upcoming concert review of tonight's sold-out performance at the Troubadour. Didn't get tickets for Flo. & Co.? Here are LAist's other show picks for tonight.