Orchestral manoeuvres in the dark illuminate ‘Lungs'

The Proms lift Florence and the Machine’s debut album on the LP’s 15th anniversary. Roisin O’Connor is blown away

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In the warm, red heart of the Royal Albert Hall, we’re celebrating Lungs. The debut album by Florence and the Machine recently marked its 15th anniversary; lead artist Florence Welch is observing the occasion with a full orchestra in one of London’s grandest venues.

It’s a perfect fit. Released in 2009, Lungs is a tempestuous collection of ornate, baroque-pop compositions, each one unique, as if suspended in the eye of a hurricane. There are filigreed arpeggios of harp; sharp plucks of the violin; the menacing military punch of a drumbeat. Reigning over it all is Welch’s voice, drenched in reverb as she bellows, hollers and chants like a sorceress reciting spells.

At the BBC Proms, conductor and arranger Jules Buckley galvanises his orchestra as Welch accompanies the choir onto the stage, red hair cascading around her. She’s known for embracing the pre-Raphaelite look – now she’s gone full mediaeval princess, in a scarlet silk gown with bell sleeves. Fans have endeavoured to emulate their heroine, turning up in flowing dresses and bejewelled headpieces. One woman has wrapped herself in fairy lights.