MARINA (previously MARINA and the Diamonds) returns to Melbourne for the first time in 15 years with a show drenched in her internet and pop culture roots.
MARINA, the queen of Tumblr toured her appropriately named album “Princess of Power” at Palace Foreshore this weekend, performing to a buzzing crowd. After a fifteen year absence from Melbourne soil (11 years since she last visited Australia), there was a real sense of excitement to turn up for MARINA. Her theatrical, alt-pop, disco-pop sound garnered her a loyal fanbase who (rightfully so) wanted to make sure she knew they would not accept another decade long hiatus from her.
Warming up the crowd for MARINA we had Sydney’s MAY-A, sporting faux meat, an ode to the fact that the queer singer was currently missing Sydney Mardi Gras and needed to show up in the gayest thing she could find (a Gaga staple more than sufficient). Despite a small wardrobe malfunction – her platform heels snapping mid performance – the singer served vocals, stage presence and faux meat all the way through. A true Diva.
The excitement from the crowd was palpable as we waited for MARINA to take the stage. I found it simultaneously comforting and interesting to see the crowd that MARINA draws in; she’s considered somewhat niche, but by no means is she a small artist.
She seems to exist in a crossover between mainstream appeal and a little more on the fringes. Resonating particularly with queer audiences (known for their dedication to their pop girls), and by proxy corners of the internet for dare I say, the eclectic art folks who spent too much time on the internet (but are cooler because of it).
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Showcasing a setlist stacked with favourites old and new, we traveled through MARINA’S very own video game:
Level 1: Star Fields
PRINCESS OF POWER
Are You Satisfied?
Level 2: Familiar Hells
CUPID’S GIRL
Hermit the Frog
Bubblegum Bitch
Level 3: The Cocoon
I Am Not a Robot
ADULT GIRL
BUTTERFLY
Level 4: Digital Fantasies
DIGITAL FANTASY
HELLO KITTY
Man’s World
Level 5: Party Paradiso
Froot
CUNTISSIMO
KEY TO THE CASTLE
ROLLERCOASTER
Level 6: Key to the Castle
FINAL BOSS
Primadonna
I <3 YOU
Throughout the night there were numerous songs that got big reactions, some of the highlights included “Bubblegum Bitch”, “Mans World”, “CUNTISSIMO”, “Primadona Girl” and “I <3 YOU”. Much Like MARINAS Music, the show felt playful, leaning into the anthemic, melodramatic nature of her lyrics. The concert’s production design reflected this by combining elements from classic fairytales, video games, and a dash of campy superhero cartoons.
This air of whimsy enveloped the crowd, allowing for an engaged atmosphere between MARINA and the audience. Even with the downbeat tracks, the audience was eating it up, using the slower moments in “Butterfly” and “Hello Kitty” to take in the romance of what it is to be watching an artist you love perform.
If you happened to have missed the once in a decade and a half event, you can relax. Because despite battling the humidity, remarking that she’s not had a single good hairday down under; we can happily say that MARINA hopes to be “back at some point soon”, “not in ten years”.
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