Opening tonight is Glaswegian pop princess KLOE, now based in London tonight’s show serves as a homecoming for the 19-year-old Scot.
Chloe Latimer has come a long way since I saw her play her debut show under the moinker KLOE at The Garage’s Attic last year and the hype around the singer has only continued to grow since signing to Sony sub-division Columbia Records.
At first she seems nervous to be on a much bigger stage than the aforementioned, but any doubts in her mind quickly disperse as the music kicks in.
KLOE showcases material from her recently released debut EP, the highlight of which is title track and next single ‘Teenage Craze’.
It’s not long until tonight’s headliner Marina Diamandis leaps onto the stage in a sparkling purple and red two-piece complete with matching mouse ears.
Her set is divided into three acts each dedicated to each of the Welsh singer’s albums – first up, personal favourite and debut The Family Jewels.
Opening with the wonderfully weird ‘Mowgli’s Road’ Diamandis is already in full pop diva mode, storming across the stage with all the confidence you’d expect from the out-there pop star.
However, tonight’s stage set up is just as impressive on its own – consisting of a trio of giant screens showing flickering animations fitting of each track as well as Diamandis’ larger than life persona.
Her band – placed on a platform above these gigantic screens step into the limelight to entertain the crowd as Diamandis darts off stage only to return in a bright pink catsuit with hearts cut out of the legs, ready for her second act.
More pop influenced than the era before, we witness the rebirth of the jaded alter ego Electra Heart that her second album of the same name was based around.
This act focuses more on the release’s energetic singles such as obvious crowd-pleaser ‘How To Be A Heartbreaker’ and arguably her most famous hit ‘Primadonna’, which she performs accompanied by Electra’s BFF, Marilyn the toy dog.
It is clear tonight is not a true greatest hits set, as classics ‘Shampain’ and ‘Radioactive’ don’t appear, allowing time for some relative filler from new record Froot.
However, tracks like ‘Forget’ and the debut performance of ‘Solitaire’ really grip your attention despite this being my first time hearing them.
Diamandis closes the set with the well-deserved smugness that she has provided her loyal fans with amazing theatrical performance as she takes a bow in her third outfit of the night – a one-piece that sparkles as much as she does.
Words: Toni Edwards
Photos: Stuart Westwood
