Deborah McArthur is impressed with the an act that has matured.
I was so excited to see Marina and the Diamonds again after seeing her at the start of the year in the Oran Mor. This performance was a step up; she was better known and was playing a bigger venue. She performed at the Old Fruit Market in Glasgow’s Merchant City, showing that she picks her venues carefully; both venues are atmospheric and beautiful!
She opened her set with her album titled song Family Jewels. The lights dimmed and it showed her florescent lipstick that looked awesome! Her voice is deep and warm but her range is pretty large and she knows how to own the stage. She had a total of 4 costume changes throughout her set. This may seem like she was more interested in how she looked than what she sounded like, but this wasn’t the case. Her lyrics are thought provoking, kooky and imaginative. She had a slightly sore throat but this didn’t stop her belting out track after track.
My favourites of the night were Rootless, Shampain and Hollywood. For every song she gets into character--whether that is by changing her outfit or taking on a persona while singing, but every character is an extension or exaggeration of her. I don’t find anything fake about what she does. In fact, seeing her live again confirmed how much I love her as an artist. Her set was sleek and professional but we still got to find out who Marina was. I still engaged with her. You can underestimate how good her voice is until you see her standing in front of you; her breath control is really good and she is able to translate her album on stage extremely well. Marina took to the keyboard for Obsessions--another element to her: not only can she sing but she can also play the piano.
From my gushes you may be able to tell I’m a huge fan!! I look forward to more good things from Marina!
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