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Home is…

Camberwell. I’ve basically lived in south London my whole life.

Favourite hotel?

I don’t really stay in hotels but if I did, I’d stay at the Covent Garden Hotel (below). When I was reading Patti Smith’s book, M Train, I figured out that she’d stayed there too.

Last play you saw?

People, Places & Things with Denise Gough. I came out of the theatre so electrified. It made me want to get back on stage.

Bus, taxi or Tube?

I do quite like a black cab. There’s just something about its Englishness. Hailing one makes you feel like a grown-up.

What’s on your bedside table?

I’ve been reading a lot of Leslie Jamison, she’s an incredible writer. She wrote a book called The Empathy Exams, recommended by a book club that my fans set up. The book club has been doing so well — it’s had recommendations from the likes of Grayson Perry and Fiona Apple.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

A day of no cars, just everyone on bicycles. I love to ride mine around London — it’s a black vicar’s bike.

Favourite pub?

The Joiners Arms in Camberwell was where the art students always used to put on club nights. That’s where I got a lot of my first experiences of music. It’s also where I first fell in love.

Best thing a cabbie has said to you?

I don’t know what I looked like, but the cab driver was like, ‘If you have any drugs you can take them as long as you give me some.’ I didn’t actually have any but I was like, ‘Cool, thanks.’

What is your London secret?

Bonnington Square near Vauxhall in Kennington. It’s this tiny little square and it has the most useful little deli called Italo.

Last concert you went to?

Nick Cave at All Points East. Oh my god, it was incredible: so shamanic and physical. I’ve become close with Susie Cave, so she took me under her wing and I got to watch it side of stage.

Favourite shops?

I’m a Liberty obsessive. The maximalism of the prints makes me feel very at home. Merchant Archive in Notting Hill — Sophie Merchant used to have a little stall around the corner from [my former producer] Paul Epworth. Annina Vogel is my favourite jeweller and for books I would probably go to Daunt Books in Marylebone (below), because my cousin works there.

What was it like performing with The Rolling Stones?

Amazing. I think one of the best things you can ever see if you turn around when you’re on stage is Keith Richards playing guitar.

Who is your hero?

My mother [Evelyn Welch]. She is the provost of King’s College, she’s written something like four books on the Renaissance and lectures all over the world. She’s a big campaigner for diversity, equality and education and I find her work ethic inspiring.

What are you up to at the moment?

I’m in the process of releasing a new record and travelling a bit. Next stop is New York.

What do you collect?

Scraps of paper. Anything with words on it, any notes that people have given me, postcards and things like that.

‘High as Hope’ by Florence + the Machine is out on Virgin; ‘Useless Magic: Lyrics and Poetry’ by Florence Welch (Penguin Books)