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MARINA In Vancouver
MARINA In Vancouver was a pop haven as the ‘Princess of Power’ returned to the city’s stage. The aptly named Princess of Power Tour brought the Welsh singer-songwriter back to the very same venue where she performed during the Love + Fear Tour. The iconic Orpheum Theatre provided an intimate setting that paired perfectly with MARINA’s dynamic and ever-evolving discography of hits.
Setting the scene, it’s 2012. High school me blasts Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park, and Deftones, but one artist dominates my playlist, Marina and the Diamonds. That year, her iconic sophomore album Electra Heart took over the pop world. How To Be A Heartbreaker, Bubblegum Bitch, Lonely Hearts Club, and, of course, Primadonna were tracks that etched themselves into the minds of anyone who listened. The album hit me like a surprise lightning bolt and pushed me to explore my musical tastes more deeply. In the years that followed, I tracked MARINA’s evolution with FROOT, then the more introspective and intimate Love + Fear, when she dropped the “and the Diamonds” from her name. Later came Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land. This year, she released her latest album Princess of Power, living up to its title in every way. After following her career for so long, I had always hoped to see MARINA in Vancouver, but it never aligned. With the Princess of Power Tour, I refused to miss it.
Change, Creativity, Power, The Qualities That Make MARINA A Pure Diamond
Earlier, I mentioned MARINA dropping the “Diamonds” from her stage name. She made this change to free herself, embrace her humanity, and become more authentic instead of feeling like a cog in the system. While her three albums before this differed in theme, you could always tell it was MARINA and the Diamonds. Love + Fear pulled listeners into her world as she revealed her imperfections and vulnerabilities. Many fans, myself included, welcomed this shift, though some struggled with such a drastic change. Her next album, Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land, brought back the sounds of her debut and FROOT. With 2025’s Princess of Power, MARINA strikes a perfect balance between her past and present, producing what may be some of her best work yet.
Princess of Power
From anthems like Cuntissimo to Digital Fantasy, MARINA has made it clear that the Princess of Power era has fully arrived. The 13-track album is a tightly crafted blend of pop, emotion, love, and, above all, power. Since its release in June, it has been on constant repeat. This new chapter took me back to the moment I first discovered MARINA. Thematically, the album radiates the energy of a Victorian-era pop queen, a vibe that carries through all 48 minutes of its runtime. The addictive nature of Cuntissimo has me humming it at random moments, unable to get it out of my head. Simply put, if you haven’t listened to this album yet, you need to. I can almost guarantee you’ll be adding at least a few tracks to your daily playlist.
Setlist
MARINA In Vancouver was a sold-out masterpiece, delivering an 18-track setlist packed with layers of energy. Even before reaching the venue doors, a massive line stretched for blocks. Fans dressed in glamorous and Victorian outfits to honor their pop queen. Everyone knew the night would be filled with fresh hits, with many hoping to hear favorites like Cuntissimo, Je Ne Sais Quoi, and Final Boss. When the lights went out, the crowd erupted. The atmosphere instantly shifted. It was a rollercoaster of a night from start to finish. MARINA kicked things off with the tour’s titular track, Princess of Power, setting the tone for what she called level one: Star Fields. The stage design leaned heavily into an 80s gaming aesthetic, inspired by classic side-scroller beat-em-ups like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time. The floor featured a bold black-and-white chessboard pattern, with a circular raised platform at the center, perfectly framing MARINA as the queen her audience came to see.
Highlights
Musically, the first half of the show delivered serious contenders for MARINA’s greatest hits. How To Be A Heartbreaker, Butterfly, I Am Not a Robot, the list kept going. But when the show reached Level 4: Digital Fantasies, the real magic started. Digital Fantasy, FROOT, Bubblegum Bitch, Cuntissimo, hit after hit kept the energy soaring. During Cuntissimo, Vancouver fans enjoyed a special moment. Five audience members who went all out with their outfits competed in a best-dressed contest. Two best friends dressed in blue and pink claimed the sash, creating a core memory they will never forget. As the set neared its finale, MARINA unleashed the “Big Kahuna,” Primadonna. She barely needed to sing because the entire Orpheum roared every lyric and every note in perfect unison. It was one of those rare moments every artist dreams of, a song so iconic it belongs as much to the fans as to the performer.
In Closing
MARINA In Vancouver ended with I <3 You, a breathtaking finale that felt like the perfect love letter to the city. The moment was pure magic, overflowing with mutual devotion as fans poured their hearts into every lyric. Standing on stage, MARINA was visibly moved, taking it all in. The night built to a stunning crescendo, the energy surging until the entire Orpheum felt alive with joy and emotion. It was a shared experience that left everyone in awe. This show wasn’t just memorable, it was easily one of the most powerful pop performances of the year. As we walked out into the night, hearts were still racing. We couldn’t help but hope it won’t be another six long years before MARINA brings her magic back to Vancouver.
Thank You
I’d like to thank MARINA In Vancouver for the incredible performance and her wonderful team for allowing us to capture the night. To find out more on MARINA, or catch a future date, please visit here: MARINA Website
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