Camberwell’s own Florence Welch has hit number one for new release, ‘Everybody Scream’ with world-famous band Florence and the Machine — prompting beaming reactions from locals.
This marks the 39-year-old singer’s fifth chart-topping album, from a career which began in South London.
Tim Harper, the co-owner of Dash the Henge, an indie record shop on Camberwell New Road, said: “Florence is a global superstar these days.
“She sings about her love for South London, which is always joyous”.
Harper recounted her visit to the store last year, before a gig at the BBC Proms, when the celebrity stuck her head in during a chaotic soundcheck; he remembered quipping with her, having said ‘just like the Albert Hall?’, which she responded to with laughter.
Harper said: “Camberwell has always been a rich area for creative talent.
“There’s been a long association with the arts — the college up the road, which Florence attended, and pubs that host live music, where she has played.”
One of those pubs, The Joiner Arms, is a two-minute walk from the vinyl store, and now boasts of becoming an international hotspot for fans of the band.
The two-room Victorian establishment gained a mention in Welch’s 2018 album, High as Hope, on a song fittingly titled South London Forever.
Gary Phibbs, the general manager of the pub, said: “I’m overjoyed but not surprised she is topping the charts.”
“She’s such an amazing performer — I’ve seen her live so many times and she always steals the show.”
Phibbs recounted a visitor last year who came all the way from Brazil.
The fan, Berry, runs a Florence and the Machine fan account boasting 58,000 followers on Instagram, headed for the pub during her first ever trip to Britain.
The publican was especially bemused by the fact his establishment served the Brazilian her first ever roast dinner.
Speaking of Welch’s success, and its relation to the local creative scene, Phibbs said: “I’m overjoyed but not surprised she is topping the charts.
“Camberwell is massively artsy, our Thursday Open mic night is always full with all types of singers and performers”.
The group’s sixth studio album joins 2009 debut LP Lungs, 2011’s Ceremonials, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful from 2015, and 2022’s Dance Fever in their tally of records that have reached the summit.
Alongside the Official Albums Chart, Everybody Scream also tops the Official Vinyl Albums Chart.
Welch will embark on a UK and Ireland arena tour in February 2026, before hitting North America in April.
Image credit: Kieran Everson
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