Marina and the Diamonds

Marina Diamandis arrived onto a spectacular glowing stage, a fitting launch to this venue’s theatrical past life. She began with a resounding accapella verse of ‘The Family Jewels’- her album’s title track. Marina’s quirky operatic vibrato was very refreshing compared to her support act ‘Cocknbullkid’ who had a truly beautiful angelic gospel voice but lacked the originality of Diamandis’ performance.

Next the bubbly Diamandis mentioned this was her ‘Burger Queen Tour’ consequently projecting lurid pop art images of fast food onto a screen behind her while confidently belting out tracks ‘The Outsider’, ‘Girls’ and ‘Seventeen’ as she accepted marriage proposals from the crowd!

Diamandis’ performance was teeming with youthful energy. Her dancing- like a melodramatic teen in a bedroom, could only work for Marina. Drawing parodies with Kate Bush and Madonna, Marina is a perfect pop star.

Half way through the set Marina launched into crowd pleaser ‘I Am Not A Robot’ with clear cut and captivating style. Blue lighting revealed her to be wearing Ultra-Violet nail polish and lipstick which was visually attention-grabbing as she chanted out the track. Lights pointed to a giant disco ball creating a starry sky on the ceiling and making the crowd seem insignificant amidst the mighty ethereal power of Marina Diamandis.

Although Marina was carried very much by her ‘show’ the venue was small enough to maintain an intimate link with the audience. Catch her in a small venue while you still can otherwise there’s a danger of the carefully balanced relationship you feel with Diamandis being lost.

Marina had three costume changes during her set, a shoulder padded black mini-dress, enormous yellow hareem pants and a glitzy Britney-esque cheerleader outfit. She also dashed of stage to fetch balloons, TV shaped glasses and a baseball cap covered in giant feathers.

The highlight of the night was marina’s encore number ‘Hollywood’. Marina pulled it off brilliantly. The song opened with a strange piano prelude and an equally odd video of what appeared to be Diamandis covered in clay exploring the streets of Hollywood like a fallen angel. After two minutes of this bizarre introduction, Diamandis pranced onto the stage dressed as a cheerleader carrying a giant Burger. As she belted out her hit song along with the crowd, a marvellous lightshow truly encapsulated the eccentricity boldness and beauty that is Marina and the Diamonds.

Hearing a crowd of typical ‘Oxfordians’ dressed in brogues and checked shirts chant back lines such as ‘choking on a chicken bone’ and ‘the crackers were probably bad luck’ did have a sense of irony. I don’t know about ‘Hollywood infected your brain’. Marina has definitely infected the masses.

SET LIST:
The Outsider
Girls
Seventeen
Are you satisfied?
Rootless
Hermit The Frog
I Am Not A Robot
Obsessions
Jealousy
Oh No!
Shampain
Mowgli’s Road
Guilty
ENCORE
Numb
Hollywood