With a name like Marina Lambrini Diamandis, you’re surely destined for fortune and fame in some form. Of course now better known as her stage persona Marina and the Diamonds, tonight The Lonely Hearts Club Tour brings Diamandis’ stylish pop party to Preston. It’s an impressive tour schedule of over eighty shows, including supportingColdplay, and spanning venues across Europe and North America, and now it’s 53 Degrees’ turn for the Diamandis sparkling make-over.
‘The Diamonds’ are not only a girl’s best friend but also refers to the fans of the sassy singer-songwriter. Following a recent number one album, Electra Heart, it’s a real mixed bag of precious jewels that begin to fill the busy venue. Eagerly awaiting the arrival of their pop princess, The Diamonds are treated to a carefully plotted pre-show soundtrack to set the mood which delves in to Diamandis’ eclectic influences, ranging from Britney toBlondie. Perhaps it was fitting for the pop-archetype Madonna track Hollywood to finally introduce Diamandis to the stage.
The retro stage set is more reminiscent of your Nan’s living room than what you would expect to be a typical showgirl’s backdrop, but as a giant neon ‘Electra Heart’ reveals itself and crackles to life, a veiled Diamandis glides in to the spotlight for up-tempo opener, Lonely Hearts Club.
It’s plain to see why Diamandis was nominated as the ‘hottest woman in music’ at theNME Awards 2012 – and as she playfully struts the stage there’s a constant show of camera phones throughout the gig, all desperately trying to capture a glimpse of their glamorous host.
Diamandis gives a confident and choreographed performance that includes standout tracks Homewrecker, I Am Not A Robot, Primadonnaand Radioactive. During fan-favourite Bubblegum Bitch, Diamandis adorns a sash that she says was specially made and with a cheeky smile proclaims if there was such a title as “Miss Shellfish Beach”, it would surely be hers. Costume changes, a kaleidoscopic lightshow and numerous kitsch prop accessories are a feature of the show and appear to be well appreciated by the jubilant crowd.
The set ends with the haunting album closer, Fear and Loathing – but it’s not long before Diamandis and her talented band return for the encore, greeted with a well earned cheer. A solo Teen Idle sees Diamandis showcase her skills on the keys, and then the next single, How To Be A Heartbreaker serves as the grand finale.
Diamandis admitted to have never venturing in to Preston before tonight and confessed to wondering whether she even has fans there, but as The Diamonds show their appreciation to the band it’s clear Diamandis need not have worried. This really is unashamed, gratuitous sparkly pop, with an occasional edgy twist, and The Diamonds truly love it. Drifting out in to the night, all singing along to the tune of Beauty School Dropout, it seems that The Diamonds may be forever.
Review: Liam Carroll
Photography: Zoe Taylor (ZT Photography)
Ligia Berenice - lovely review and great photos!