Florence Welch proves an emotional enchantress on stage

WASHINGTON – Midway through her liberating anthem“Dog Days Are Over,”Florence Welchaddressed her flock.

“I want you toexperiencethe song,” she said, before mimicking how concertgoers watch through a phone lens to capture the perfect photo or video. “I don’t care about your shot right now. I care about your experience.”

The direction – which was visibly obeyed – is nothing new for repeat attendees ofWelch’s shows, who have endured the agony of a phone-free hand for two minutes. Instead, they blissfully bounced to Welch’s biggest commercial hit, excavating the emotions they’d absorbed for the past two hours.

Welch’s desire for a shared experience came during the encore of the D.C. stop of Florence + The Machine’sEverybody Scream touron Saturday, April 18. But really, Welch’s entire show was about a communal encounter – whether rooted in pain, anger, joy or freedom – with the sold-out crowd of 14,000 at Capital One Arena.

From the moment she rose from beneath the stage floor, barefoot and with hands gracefully fluttering for the opening“Everybody Scream,”the catharsis that would occur during the next two hours was apparent.

A tornado in a sheer black lace overlay inspired by the Stevie Nicks Collection, this high priestess of baroque pop skipped down the catwalk, a bare leg peeking out from her billowy chiffon, to cast a spell during “Witch Dance.”

The majority of the set pulled from her darkly spiritual“Everybody Scream,”released on Halloween (natch), and 2022’s intoxicating“Dance Fever.”But Welch, who turns 40 in August, didn’t ignore highlights from her nearly 17-year career.

Review:Demi Lovato proves she’s back and stronger on It’s Not That Deep tour

Florence Welch tells fans, 'Know that I am with you'

Under her curtain of auburn bangs, Welch looked beatific as she urged the crowd to“Shake It Out.”She also kneeled to reach out and make eye contact with fans ringside as “Big God” lifted off in a cloud of crashing cymbals and pogoed incessantly during“Free,”a song that sounds like anxiety set to a chattering rhythm.

Welch’s voice is as unique as her music, thick with sadness one verse, airy and crystalline the next. Her vibrato commanded “Which Witch,” while the long-held note at the end of the harp-infused“Cosmic Love”was a master class in vocal control.

Advertisement

Her healing vibe extended to her banter with the crowd. “Whatever you have been through, whatever you are going through, know that I am with you,” she said, her defined cheekbones topping a wide smile.

Welch’s four female dancers were as integral to the performance asher five-piece band(aka, The Machine). The dancers, clad in swishy black skirts, snarled as they crawled down the catwalk on all fours through clouds of dry ice for “Seven Devils.” For the second half of the show, they donned white ensembles for the emotionally exorcising “Howl,” scampering across the stage to lay at Welch’s feet like cubs sprinting to their she-wolf.

Rock returns to the spotlight for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class with Billy Idol among the eight new additions.

The induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and air on ABC and Disney+ in December.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Joy Division/New Order

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Meet the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees

Rock returns to the spotlight for the2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fameclass with Billy Idol among the eight new additions.The induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 at thePeacock Theaterin Los Angeles and air on ABC and Disney+ in December.

Review:Bruno Mars unlocks the ultimate feel-good show at tour opener

Florence Welch confronts a painful period in her life

The affection between Welch and her dancers was mutual, evidenced in the most wrenching moment of the show.

“I pray that I get through this next song,” she said. “I think every time it’s going to get easier. And I don’t know if it does.”

The song, “You Can Have it All,”references the miscarriage(a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy) Welch suffered in 2023.Watching her sing the piercing lyrics, "I sit in salt water, call in a vision of my daughter” and “Dug a hole in the garden and buried a scream,” was genuinely affecting, as was her group hug with her dancers at song’s end.

The sleek staging, highlighted by a moving lighting beam that ran the length of the catwalk and three overhead video screens that faced each side of the arena, benefited from frequently frantic lights that added more drama to Welch’s story songs.

She’s an emotional enchantress who makes an effort to sing into the crowd, not a void, and also takes time to literally walk the oval circumference of the stage to interact with her devotees. The set-closing“Sympathy Magic”offered a truly beautiful moment as Welch touched the hands of her predominantly female and frequently sobbing fans, often pulling them in for a hug.

Welch and The Machine kicked off this tour in the U.K. in February before landing in North America in early April. They’ll be on the roadthrough the end of summer, which equates to a consistent stream of introspection.

The level of intense feelings that anchor the show requires mental fortitude, yes, but also open-hearted candor. Luckily for her fans, Welch excels at both.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Florence + The Machine skillfully balance sadness, joy – Review

byAdministrator

in

April 21, 2026

Florence Welch proves an emotional enchantress on stage

WASHINGTON – Midway through her liberating anthem“Dog Days Are Over,”Florence Welchaddressed her flock. “I want you toexperienceth...

Read More

Sarah Ferguson ‘Distraught’ After Austria Whereabouts Leaked — Source

Sarah Fergusonis reportedly “distraught” about the leak of her hiding place in Austria. The news about her whereabouts broke out last week. This marked her first sighting in almost seven months. A source has claimed that the leak has not motivated her to leave Austria yet.

Sarah Ferguson has no plans of leaving the Austrian ski resort despite location leak, per source

Following some of the controversies that thrust both Sarah Ferguson and her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, into the spotlight, the former chose to keep a low profile. She succeeded in doing so until last week, when she was spotted outside a ski resort in Austria. She has not publicly commented on the controversy or the location leak yet.

A source close to her told theDaily Expressthat she is “distraught.” Highlighting her determination, they said, “But this will not change anything, she’s stronger than she looks and will not be forced to face the music just yet.” Allegedly, she does not plan to leave Austria yet. Some reports have claimed that she is currently contemplating her next moves. There have been rumors that she might appear in a TV interview.

Advertisement

The outlet also reported that some sources claimed she had already declined an interview with BBC Newsnight. Meanwhile, other reports suggest she may be open to an interview, provided the price is right. According to an April 19 report fromThe Mirror, the former Duchess of York is planning to do a TV documentary to tell her side of the story.

A source told The Mirror, “Sarah knows she needs the money and she’s open to the right television opportunity, but she’s also very aware of the tightrope she’s walking. Her daughters are part of the Royal Family, and anything she does reflects on them.” The insider further said that Ferguson knows that she needs to tell her story. At the same time, she understands that “it has to be handled carefully.”

The postSarah Ferguson ‘Distraught’ After Austria Whereabouts Leaked — Sourceappeared first onReality Tea.

byAdministrator

in

April 21, 2026

Sarah Ferguson ‘Distraught’ After Austria Whereabouts Leaked — Source

Sarah Fergusonis reportedly “distraught” about the leak of her hiding place in Austria. The news about her whereabouts broke out last week....

Read More

Zayn Malik ‘Punched’ Ex-1D Star Louis Tomlinson on Netflix Doc Set — Report

TheOne Directionfandom erupted this week as a startling new report made the rounds. Sources tied to an upcomingNetflix documentaryshed light on an unexpectedfightbetween two of the band’s most recognizable members. According to the report,Zayn MalikandLouis Tomlinsongot into aphysical altercationduring filming for the streaming project.

Zayn Malik reportedly clashed with his former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson

Ex-One Direction bandmates Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson reportedly clashed in a tense altercation that disrupted filming on their Netflix documentary.

The Sun exclusively reported that the clash occurred while the former friends were filming a three-part road trip for the streaming platform. Sources told the British tabloid that their dramatic on-set fight started after Malik made a comment about Tomlinson’s mother, Johannah Deakin, who died from leukemia in 2016.

“The lads were filming on location. Zayn started acting up and was mouthing off,” a source said. “Louis was stunned and in shock. Zayn was wearing rings, so it cut his head. It happened outside in front of so many people,” they further revealed. “He was pulled away and Louis was taken for medical treatment. He was left with a concussion. This happened outside in front of so many people. It was shocking,” added the source.

Advertisement

Netflix has since scrapped the multi-million-pound project that intended to feature Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson reconnecting over shared experiences of pop stardom.

The Sun reports that the ex-bandmates have not spoken in the six months since the incident. Meanwhile, Tomlinson’s sisters, Phoebe and Lottie, haveunfollowedthe Pillowtalk singer across platforms, though they still follow other One Direction members Harry Styles and Niall Horan.

In an interview withLivelaughlukepod, hosted by Luke Hamnett, the twins didn’t hesitate to share the names of their favorite One Direction members. “Niall was always the loveliest. And even when we were little, he was just very nice and caring and always cute with us,” they revealed. “Liam’s not with us anymore, but he was always that for me. Yeah, so calm. He was so sweet,” they added.

Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi forMandatory.

The postZayn Malik ‘Punched’ Ex-1D Star Louis Tomlinson on Netflix Doc Set — Reportappeared first onReality Tea.

byAdministrator

in

April 21, 2026

Zayn Malik ‘Punched’ Ex-1D Star Louis Tomlinson on Netflix Doc Set — Report

TheOne Directionfandom erupted this week as a startling new report made the rounds. Sources tied to an upcomingNetflix documentaryshed ligh...

Read More

The cast of “Hill Street Blues”: Where are they now?

Hill Street Bluesrewrote the rules of television drama. Set inside an overworked urban precinct within an unnamed city,Steven Bochcoand Michael Kozoll's gritty series introduced a level of realism and moral complexity not previously attempted on American TV.

After premiering in 1981,Hill Street Bluesconsistently captured the chaotic, compassionate, and often heartbreaking reality of police work. Its overlapping storylines, cinema vérité style, and flawed but authentic characters helped define what modern prestige dramas would become.

Critics and audiences recognized its impact instantly. Over a seven-season run, the show became one of the most decorated of its era, earning awhopping 98 Emmy nominationsand winning 26.

More than three decades after its finale, the series remains a blueprint for truthful,character-driven storytelling. Read on asEntertainment Weeklycatches up with the stars ofHill Street Bluesto see where they are today.

Daniel J. Travanti (Frank Furillo)

Daniel J. Travantiwon two Emmysand a Golden Globe as the cool, calm, collected Captain Furillo, who commands the Hill Street Precinct with a tough but fair hand.

“He tolerated a great deal of goofy stuff. People would say he was so stern. I would say, ‘Have you ever seen the smiles? Check out the smiles. Don’t presume, because of some big impression, that you got the entire impression,’” Travantisaid of his signature character. “A guy who understood other people and was determined to do the right thing no matter what anybody thought, but treated people with dignity on every level. Never talked down to anybody.”

The Wisconsin native was already a well-traveled veteran by the time he landedHill Street, with nearly two decades of guest spots under his belt. Name a popular show from the ’60s and ’70s, he was probably on it.

During hisHill Streetyears, he squeezed in the feature-lengthAdam(1983) and landed yet another Emmy nomination. He later earned acclaim for his portrayal of Edward R. Murrow in the TV movieMurrow(1987).

The stage and screen veteran headlined the short-lived crime dramaMissing Persons.In recent years, he popped up on series such asBossandNCIS: Los Angeles.

Charles Haid (Andrew Renko)

Charles Haid played “cowboy” cop Andy Renko, the precinct’s token renegade who eventually gets serious about police work and climbs to the rank of detective. Haid was nominated for two Emmys for his performance.

In the years just beforehand, Haid appeared on the big screen in the Nick Nolte-led Vietnam thrillerWho’ll Stop the Rain(1978) and Ken Russell’s trippy classicAltered States(1980). In 2023,the actor admittedhe had no desire to focus on TV at the time — until he realized how revolutionaryHill Streetwould become.

“I had no intention of doing a series at all,” he said. “But I had a great time doing the pilot and when I saw it, I was overwhelmed. I thought, my god, this is exactly right. It was the best damned thing I ever saw.”

Haid pivoted to a directorial career once his series left the air. He occasionally resurfaced onscreen, including in Clive Barker’sNightbreed(1990) and on the NBC crime dramaThird Watch,but he’s primarily been behind the camera.

The San Francisco native won a DGA award forER— one of his four career nominations from the guild — and has helmed episodes ofNYPD Blue, Breaking Bad, Nip/Tuck,andSons of Anarchy, among many others. He also directed the big-screen Disney featureIron Will(1994).

Michael Warren (Bobby Hill)

Michael Warren played Bobby Hill, the formerly acclaimed boxer who becomes Renko’s partner after joining the force.

The Indiana native was a star basketball player before making the move to acting. He was a starter on two championship-winning teams during UCLA’s dynasty, playing alongside Lew Alcindor (a.k.a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

His first main cast role was on the short-livedSierra, and he landed a string of guest and recurring roles on other series before finding a home onHill Street.

In subsequent years he found regular work on legal dramas, with appearances onIn the Heat of the Night,L.A. Law, andMurder One. But his resume runs the full gamut, from sitcoms likeA Different WorldandLiving Singleto cult classics such asBuffy the Vampire SlayerandSliders.

The veteran actor has four children, including producer Cash Warren, Jessica Alba’s ex-husband.

Veronica Hamel (Joyce Davenport)

Veronica Hamel’s Joyce Davenport is a hard-working, well-respected public defender who's in a relationship with Frank for the bulk of the series. The two get married late in season 3.

The actress earned five Emmy nominations for her performance. It was Hamel's breakthrough role after years of guest work on TV.

She went on to a big-screen starring role in Alan Alda’sA New Life(1988), alongside Alda and Ann-Margret, before returning toheadline a string of TV moviesthroughout the ’90s.

The Philadelphia native made a handful of appearances on Bochco’sPhillyand played the mother of Matthew Fox's Jack onLost.

Bruce Weitz (Mike Belker)

Eccentric undercover detective Mike Belker was played by Bruce Weitz, who earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for his work — including a win in 1984.

Advertisement

The veteran actor has been a fixture on the small screen ever since, with regular gigs on theJamie Lee CurtissitcomAnything But Loveand the classic soapGeneral Hospital.

His guest work over the years includesThe West Wing,ER,Grey’s Anatomy,Dexter, andCSI. Most recently, the Connecticut native appeared in a season 2 episode ofFor All Mankind.

Since 1986, Weitz has been married to Vivian Davis, with whom he shares a son.

James B. Sikking (Howard Hunter)

James B. Sikking starred as Lt. Howard Hunter, the gung-ho leader of the precinct’s Emergency Action Team — a strong-headed but immensely capable policeman.

A longtime veteran of television going back to the early 1960s, Sikking enjoyed a long-awaited breakthrough inBlues, and followed it up with another major role as the title character’s father onDoogie Howser, M.D. He later reunited with Steven Bochco forBrooklyn South.

The actor’s big-screen career includedOrdinary People(1980),The Star Chamber(1983),Star Trek III: The Search for Spock(1984), andThe Pelican Brief(1993). One of his final roles was as Drew Barrymore’s father inFever Pitch(2005).

Sikking married cookbook author Florine Caplan in 1962. The couple shared two children. Hedied in 2024 at age 90due to complications from dementia.

Joe Spano (Henry Goldblume)

Hostage negotiator Henry Goldblume is Furillo’s confidante and a sure hand during the most dire of times at the precinct. Joe Spano made the part his own and earned an Emmy nomination for his work.

Like manyHill Streetveterans, Spano has rejoined the Bochco fold in the years since. He was a regular on the first season ofMurder Oneand had a two-seasonNYPD Bluearc late in its run.

The longtime stage veteran has long had a second home on television, with appearances ranging fromThe X-FilestoTouched by an Angel. For over two decades, he’s played arecurring role onNCIS.

On the big screen, he’s had small roles inApollo 13(1995) and a handful of films directed byHill Streetvet Gregory Hoblit, namelyPrimal Fear(1996),Hart’s War(2002), andFracture(2007). Most recently, he booked a voice role in Pixar’sHoppers(2026).

Spano married his wife, Joan Zerrien, in 1980. The couple share two daughters.

Taurean Blacque (Neal Washington)

Taurean Blacque played undercover detective Neal Washington, the cool-cat partner to loose-cannon J.D. LaRue.

The actor followed his Emmy-nominatedHill Streetturn with a voice role inOliver & Company(1988) and a run on the soap operaGenerations. He later went back to his detective roots on The WB’sSavannah.

The New Jersey native became a prominent adoption advocate, ultimately adopting 10 kids of his own, in addition to two biological children. Blacquedied in 2021at the age of 82 after a brief illness.

Kiel Martin (J.D. LaRue)

Kiel Martin played J.D. LaRue, the spirited and resourceful detective whose knack for the job is often sidelined by his womanizing, hard-drinking habits.

The veteran actor, who had a supporting role inThe Panic in Needle Park(1971) and played the lead in exploitation classicTrick Baby(1972), had a string of TV law enforcement roles under his belt before hisHill Streetcasting.

The Pittsburgh native continued to specialize in crime dramas afterward, with guest appearances onL.A. Law,Miami Vice, andMurder, She Wrote. He was also a longtime stage veteran.

Martin died in 1990 at age 46 due to complications from lung cancer. He was survived by one daughter, from his marriage to Dean Martin’s daughter, Claudia.

Betty Thomas (Lucy Bates)

The sole female in the Hill Street precinct, Betty Thomas’ Lucy Bates is a strong-willed and opinionated figure who often keeps her partner, Joe Coffey, in line.

Thomas was Emmy-nominated for every season of the show and took home the prize in 1985. But even after her acting success continued with her acclaimed role as the villainous Velda PlenderinTroop Beverly Hills(1989), she segued to a career behind the camera.

She has helmed such films asThe Brady Bunch Movie(1995), the Howard Stern biopicPrivate Parts(1997), Eddie Murphy’sDr. Dolittle(1998) remake, and the Sandra Bullock-led rehab dramedy28 Days(2000).

More recently, she had a box-office smash withAlvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel(2009), and helmed three episodes of Netflix’sGrace and Frankie.

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byAdministrator

in

April 21, 2026

The cast of “Hill Street Blues”: Where are they now?

Hill Street Bluesrewrote the rules of television drama. Set inside an overworked urban precinct within an unnamed city,Steven Bochcoand...

Read More