Florence & the Machine light up the night

Florence Welch performs with her indie pop band Florence & the Machine at the Lawn at White River State Park. Since she was discovered singing in a pub in London, Welch has earned worldwide mainstream recognition. (Credit: Olivia Corya / Metromix)

At age 24, Florence Welch is a full-service entertainer and budding superstar.

Leading her Florence & the Machine ensemble Monday at the Lawn at White River State Park, Welch made the most of force-of-nature vocals, engaging visuals and a dash of holiday magic.

The estimated audience of 6,000 heard London native Welch tout half-American status on Independence Day, thanks to her mother's Yankee background.

Freelance fireworks in surrounding neighborhoods actually enhanced quiet portions of the show (which ended before big blasts at nearby Victory Field and the Regions Bank skyscraper). Welch's voice is too big to be shaken, and the only Fourth of July problem she had was related to getting rid of a sparkler she carried onstage.

Next to Kate Middleton, Welch may be the most talked-about fashionista in the U.K. At the Lawn, Welch wore a diaphanous yellow gown with buttoned sleeves. A matching cape featured a collar made of green flowers. Welch patrolled her stage in bare feet, and she wore dark shorts under the gown.

Musically, percussion was emphasized as much as Welch's voice. Keyboard player Isabella Summers is Welch's songwriting partner, but drummer Chris Hayden is the band's MVP.

As expected, Hayden starred during "Drumming Song" and he sparked a double-time soul clap during "Between Two Lungs."

Harp player Tom Monger provided primary accompaniment on "I'm Not Calling You a Liar," a song that can be classified as baroque blues because of tender ornamentation that cradles a lover's threat: "I'm not calling you a liar. Just don't lie to me."

Florence & the Machine has toured for two years to promote debut album "Lungs," released on July 3, 2009. Just two more dates remain on the itinerary: Tuesday in St. Louis and Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Looking ahead, new song "What the Water Gave Me" unfolded as a grunge-era echo of loud-quiet-loud dynamics. Hayden's percussion extra wasn't a cowbell, but something akin to a hammer striking a railroad tie.

Welch began the show's encore with an a cappella version of "Amazing Grace." New song "Bedroom Hymns" followed, and its blend of sacred imagery and sex might raise a red flag for those looking for a sophomore jinx.

Welch seems equipped, however, to balance the tricky topics. "I'm not here looking for absolution," she sang.

A rendition of breakthrough hit "Dog Days Are Over" brought the concert to a close at the 80-minute mark.

For having one album in stores, Welch and her band mates showed flexibility and gave a sneak peek at what's next. Still, "Lungs" rave-up "Kiss with a Fist" was missing from the program -- as was a cover of Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" that appears on a new tribute album.

Perhaps that's one more showbiz element Welch has mastered: Slay them, but leave them wanting more.