Welsh pop star MARINA, who used to go by MARINA and The Diamonds, made her long awaited return to Glasgow’s O2 Academy last night after roughly six years as part of her “Princess Of Power” tour. Fans began lining up in the rain as early as noon, hoping to get a great spot and spending the wait sharing stories and singing her songs together. The crowd felt both nostalgic and excited, curious to see if her new show would match her famous past performances, especially since she has changed her style and visuals and now goes simply by MARINA.
As the lights dimmed and the music began, the audience eagerly awaited MARINA’s arrival into this new chapter. Everyone expected her to bring her signature charm and new ideas. Canadian pop sensation Mikayla Geier, opened the evening, setting the tone for an impressive performance. But did the show live up to the hype? Lets discuss!
Mikayla Geier
The night kicked off with a fantastic performance by upcoming Canadian pop diva Mikayla Geier, and to say she gagged us all with her set would be an understatement. Her set was packed with storyline, hilarious dance moves, all the signature pop-girlie hair flips, and, of course, high-energy dance breaks. I first discovered Mikayla on TikTok last year, and I have been dying to see a live performance from her. Safe to say, this definitely lived up to the hype; I was blown away!
Mikayla electrified the crowd in Glasgow by celebrating the “girls, gays, and theys, ” setting a joyful tone seeing as today marked the first day of pride month 2026. Her gorgeous soft vocals and infectious beats had everyone dancing, creating a sense of unity and happiness throughout the venue. The strong connection between Mikayla and the audience was clear in the shared smiles and laughter, making everyone feel welcome in a vibrant celebration of love and diversity.
In my opinion, the highlight of her set was her explosive performance of “Diva,” showcasing her vocal talent and phenomenal stage presence. The unexpected cover of Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” was so beautiful that it had everyone dancing and singing along. Mikayla seamlessly merged her style with these legendary hits, and her connection with the audience added a magical dimension to the evening, what a performance!
MARINA
Finally, the moment we’d all been waiting for arrived. At 9pm, video-game inspired visuals lit up the stage, the band started playing, and Marina stepped out in a sparkling purple and pink outfit that looked like something from ABBA’s 70s era. I felt nostalgic right away. “Electra Heart,” her second album, was the first vinyl I ever owned. It was a special gift from my grandparents almost ten years ago, so this review is personal for me. I’d been looking forward to this show for a long time, since I used to play her songs nonstop when I was younger. This marked her first major tour since releasing her sixth studio album under her independent label Queenie Records, and the confidence was oozing out of her.
Marina kicked off her set with the title track from her new album, “Princess Of Power,” and the Glasgow crowd was hooked instantly. The exhilaration in the room was crystal clear, with everyone connected by their love for her music. Her stage presence was amazing. She took control of the stage with confidence, commanding everyone with her strong voice and charm.
The next big song of the night was “Are You Satisfied?” and the crowd in Glasgow went wild. This is one of many TikTok hits from her 2010 debut album, “The Family Jewels,” and everyone sang to every word. Marina looked confident from the beginning, and it’s clear she’s embracing her pop star role. She wants to be a legend, and truly, she’s making it happen. Watching her on stage feels like seeing Madonna or somebody like that perform. She just gets it.
Next up was one of my favourite songs from the new album, “CUPID’S GIRL.” This track is defined by its strong 80s new-wave and electropop vibe. More than just catchy, the pre-chorus sticks in your mind, and hearing it live was a highlight. Marina’s live vocals match her studio sound, which stands out in a time when many artists rely on prerecords and autotune. This authenticity made the performance memorable.
After an incredible performance of “CUPID’S GIRL,” Marina kept the energy high, playing three of her biggest tracks: “Hermit The Frog,” “Bubblegum Bitch,” and “I am not a robot.” Saying Glasgow erupted is putting it mildly. I didn’t expect all the hits so early, but I loved how she arranged the set. It worked perfectly, mixing new independent songs with her older music from 2010 onward.
As the show transitioned into the next few songs, the set mostly consisted of new material, but a few moments stood out to me in particular. One was the performance of “Adult Girl,” in which she sat down, eyes closed, really feeling the lyrics.
Lyrically and emotionally, “Adult Girl” is widely viewed by fans as a mature, grown-up follow-up to her cult favourite 2012 track “Teen Idle.” Both deal with deep introspection, the loss of youth, and the emotional realities of growing up. Another fantastic moment was the mash-up of “METALLIC STALLION” and Madonna’s pop classic “Hung Up” which had the gays screaming, me included.
Next up was another hit from 2015, “FROOT.” I have to admit, it’s not one of my top favorites from her, but it’s always fun to hear at a concert. After that came what was probably the most anticipated song of the night, “CUNTISSIMO.” Marina asked the crowd, “Who’s feeling cunty?” and the energy from the LGBTQ+ fans was incredible.
If you haven’t heard the term before, in today’s pop and LGBTQ+ ballroom culture, “serving cunt” or being “cunt” is a big compliment. It describes someone who is very confident, fierce, true to themselves, and stylish. “Cuntissimo” takes that to the next level, basically meaning the most bold and empowered version of that vibe.
Then came Marina’s biggest hit so far, the song everyone was waiting for: “Primadonna.” It went viral on TikTok and Musical.ly, reaching millions and making a real impact on pop culture. The beat and catchy lyrics filled the room, and this was the loudest moment of the night, with everyone singing along.
Imagine vocals like Kate Bush with production similar to Madonna. The mix of dreamy melodies and empowering lyrics made the whole place feel electric. That is the best way to describe Marina in my opinion. I truly believe this is one of the best pop songs ever, showing off Marina’s unique style and her strong connection with fans.
The last song of the night was a deluxe track from her album called “I ❤ you,” and it felt like a total tribute to Madonna. The second verse had vogue elements, and the chorus sounded a lot like 2000s Kylie, which made it the perfect way to end an amazing night. I’d honestly say Marina is quickly becoming a pop icon and I think her music will be referenced a lot in coming years.
The show ran for almost 90 minutes and really proved how much creative freedom you get when you’re in charge of your own career. Earlier this year, I saw Kesha at the Hydro after she regained her independence, and now I honestly think Marina will be playing arenas here soon too. This show sold out so quickly, so I’m sure it’ll happen when she returns!
5/5 STARS. NO NOTES
All words by Kyan Gilfillan (@kgshoots).
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