Music
Marina and the Diamonds
O2 Academy, Glasgow
Nicola Love
Four stars
NEARLY an hour before Marina and the Diamonds hit the stage, opening act Kloe draws a sizable crowd of her own. Playing on home turf, the Glasgow singer has been the subject of intrigue and industry hype over the past year, the recent release of debut EP Teenage Craze finally lifting the lid on alluring electro pop that laces gritty lyrics with sugary sweet vocals. Her succinct set goes a long way towards explaining why she was signed to Columbia Records aged just 18.
If Kloe represents the dark side of pop, the main event showcases something louder, more colourful although perhaps just as in-your-face. Marina and the Diamond’s Neon Nature tour, a three-act force that sings, dances and occasionally stomps its feet through Marina Diamandis’ career thus far, is anything but subtle. Opening on an enchanted forest, woodland creatures flitting about via an onstage screen, any notion of humble beginnings quickly vanishes as the woman herself emerges in a metallic two-piece topped with sequin mouse ears – the evening’s first of three embellished costumes.
Despite outlandish visual elements, which go hand in hand with the quirky back catalogue performed alongside them, not to mention the show’s theatrical and enthusiastic ringleader, Diamandis’ knack for writing utterly brilliant pop songs is still the biggest star of the show.
From her breakout hit, the snarky piano-led Obsessions, to unapologetic synth anthem Primadonna, Diamandis’ progression plays out chronologically. By the time she sits down at her keyboard for a pitch perfect rendition of Happy, a ballad from latest album Froot, during the encore, it is obvious that, sequinned costumes, beauty spots and Hollywood appeal aside, plenty will happily follow Diamandis on whatever fantastical journey comes next.
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