Just two weeks ago she was forced to cancel two European gigs after suffering a vocal injury, but Florence Welch has delighted fans by returning to the stage to kick off her North American tour.
The 25-year-old lead singer of Florence + The Machine pulled out of the Benicassim and Optimus Alive! festivals because she had lost her voice and was warned by doctors that she risked permanent damage if she performed.
But on Friday night Welch had recovered her voice enough to sing on the first night of the band’s tour in Vancouver, telling the crowd: “It’s wonderful to be up here, because I lost my voice for a while, and it seems like it’s back.”
In an interview with US Weekly, the flame-haired singer explained that she had avoided permanent damage with vocal rest and herbal teas, but added that losing her voice was “the most frightening thing”.
“I think it's back a hundred percent. I had a full check up and (the doctor) said that there wasn't any permanent damage that couldn't be restored without rest. So if I keep taking care of myself there won't be any reoccurrences,” she said.
Florence + The Machine are scheduled to play a series of North American dates including the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago on August 5, and Welch says she is looking forward to performing.
But she admits she still fears losing her voice. In a recent tweet to her 370,000-plus followers, she wrote: "Maybe I'll open my mouth, and all That comes out will be a load of dust, dead fairy's, and forgotten dreams..âª#legitimatefearâ¬."
Florence + The Machine were also celebrating holding on to the top spot in the Official UK Singles Chart with their single Spectrum (Say My Name) for the second week in a row. The track – remixed by DJ Calvin Harris – is the band's first ever UK number one single.