How Ilā and the LCV performed with Florence & The Machine at the BBC Proms
When not designing audio logos or creating music for advertising a brand, music agency Maison Mercury Jones, visionary musician and producer Ilā can be found working with genre-defying choirs.
Ilā co-founded the prolific London Contemporary Voices (LCV) in 2010 for a special performance with Grammy-winning artist Imogen Heap. Beloved for its unique contemporary sound, the world-leading alternative choir has worked on campaigns, live shows, recordings and events with brands and private clients.
LCV singers come from a wide range of musical backgrounds and lived experiences, reflecting the diversity of London, and perform genres including pop, classical, indie, electronic, gospel, soul and club anthems.
In 2022 the choir created Trans Voices, the UK’s first professional trans+ choir, as part of its family. Trans Voices was the subject of a Guardian documentary about its formation.
Under Ilā’s direction, LCV recently performed alongside Florence and the Machine at Prom 69: A Symphony of Lungs. The iconic Proms concert, sponsored by the BBC since 1927, saw Florence Welch – AKA Florence and the Machine - perform her debut album Lungs alongside Jules Buckley and his Orchestra.
Prom 69 was a celebration of Lungs, with one reviewer describing Florence as “a singular artist in whom the darkly gothic meets all that glistens.”
An iconic performance
The performance was a special one for Ilā and the LCV members, who performed special arrangements of the songs from Lungs arranged by a variety of music legends.
Dressed in handcrafted costumes by Allen and Adcock Costume Studio, the outfits featured layered cotton, linen, and silk organza dyed the colours of dried blood. Embroidered and beaded sparkling lungs completed the dramatic, evocative look. Their costumes complemented Florence’s dramatic red pre-Raphaelite princess vibe, which tied back to the imagery of Lungs.
Ilā described the performance as “epic and beautiful.”
“What a wonderful and deeply emotional full-circle moment to be back at Royal Albert Hall, the birthplace of LCV, for our third Prom,” says Ilā.
With the event marking Florence’s first Proms outing, she described the one-off performance as “truly an exhalation and a gasp… a cacophony of ideas and influences.”
Why Ilā is in high demand
Ilā has established themselves as an active and respected musician with vast amounts of expertise working at the highest level in London. Their talents as an in-demand producer and composer means they are regularly sought out for iconic collaborations.
“The Proms event came about when Jules Buckley got in touch,” says Ilā. “This is our second Prom with him and one of many incredible shows we’ve done with him over the years.”
This includes collaborations with Partick Watson and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at The Barbican for The Beatles Orchestrated - a special BBC broadcast of the 50th anniversary of the Beatles at Abbey Road - with Jules Buckley and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
“We also worked with Florence and the Machine a few years back when her team reached out to me asking for recommendations for vocalists for her band. As a result, one of our singers, Dionne, joined her band.”
This industry-wide respect and expertise creates a unique brand positioning for Maison Mercury Jones. They know what resonates with audiences and what is needed to pull off five-star review collaborations on this scale.
“This sets us apart from other agencies and gives our extremely high-quality work authenticity and credibility,” says Ilā.
Universally critically acclaimed performance
Reviews were universal in their praise and rapture for Prom 69: A Symphony of Lungs.
BBC reported that the concert was the most in-demand Prom of the 2024 season. They wrote in their five-star review: “Highlights included a muscular version of the Drumming Song, with soaring harmonies from the London Contemporary Voices Choir; and a joyfully enormous arrangement of Cosmic Love.”
Other glowing five-star reviews came from some of the most respected titles globally including Rolling Stone, The Guardian, The Independent, Vogue UK, The New Statesman and other publications.
Perhaps Ilā put it best when they said:
“Lungs is such a viceral, landmark record - and so it was incredible to share its 15 year Anniversary with Florence under the masterful vision of Jules Buckley. London contemporary voices was formed for a special show with Imogen Heap at the Royal Albert Hall back in 2010 - so to return for our third Prom was a beautiful full circle moment.”BB
Whether you want help creating unique sonic branding, or wish to work with experienced musicians like Ilā on your next project we can help. Speak to us today.