When it came to the Old National Centre on May’s final Wednesday, even from afar one could see the building’s perimeter soundly formed as a line of people curled around its edges. This alone set the foundation of what would be the astounding, exhilarating performance that evening that was Marina and the Diamonds. Hundreds stood outside in the cool, cloudy atmosphere of the evening, waiting for the Centre’s doors to allow them access. This did not hinder any of the excitement that the fans held, many constantly stopping and stepping out of the line to snap a quick photograph of the unlit marquee, which graciously welcomed Marina Diamandis and her band to Indianapolis.
As they began to file into the building, it became clear just how much support the audience had for Diamandis’ new album, ‘FROOT’; over half had adorned themselves in accessories and articles of clothing with the designs of fruit embedded into them, from cherry earrings and strawberry backpacks to shorts with lemons on them and headbands with pineapples. Some even went the extra mile to dress entirely as bananas, grapes, and strawberries in their display of appreciation. Taking it a step further, even the photographers were included, as their photopass of the show was shaped like a lemon, a fruit which Diamandis had previously included in regards to tweets and posts about coming to Indiana.
Inside, no time was wasted getting to the second floor’s Egyptian Room. Diamandis had been previously stationed in Deluxe, but upon the overwhelming demand that her arrival had brought on, she was subsequently relocated to better host the show, soon becoming very close to being sold out for the second time in the venue.
As the room flooded with people, the DJ scheduled to entice the crowd prior to the main act was just coming out on the stage, the crimson curtain as his only backdrop. Energy resonated through the room, bouncing off the walls and coming back to refuel and disperse. At the 30 minute intermission after the DJ had walked off stage, the cheering grew louder as fervor danced between each and every audience member. At a fleeting sign that Diamandis may finally make her renowned and glorious appearance, the chant that spoke her name was cried out. This action repeated itself, rising and falling as the minutes passed.
Finally, the wait was over; the lights dimmed as the curtains were drawn back to reveal her stage, lights dotted along its surface in the form of stars, their clusters only broken by planetary bodies. On the stage, a fruit was set on either side; a strawberry on the left, a cherry on the right. Centered was the FROOT-debuted light-up mic stand, illuminating itself in a blue signal. The band entered from the sides, taking their proper positions on platforms alongside the fruits, and naturally the crowd became ablaze with elation. At last, the lights silhouetted Diamandis as she appeared on stage, mic in hand and back turned to the audience, but only for a brief and alluring moment; she spun around and began her setlist to the sounds of Bubblegum Bitch, a song of her wildly popular second album Electra Heart. Despite the song’s lyrics, a kiss was not needed in order to steal away the crowd, whose delighted roars soon formed words to sing with Diamandis.
This continued into the second and third songs, Forget (FROOT) and Mowgli’s Road (The Family Jewels), each performance flowing beautifully into the next as Diamandis beckoned to the audience, wanting them to converse their feelings through the passionate singing. At the third song’s end, red and yellow lights fading away, she addressed the audience in greeting, her smile gracing all. Not a moment too soon, she spoke the name of the next song, I’m Not A Robot (The Family Jewels), starry setting emphasized by white lights. Diamandis performed in harmony with the audience, stationary at her mic stand in accordance with the tone of the song. Just like that though, that song was over too. It was quickly replaced by the beginning notes of Savages (FROOT), the song that spoke out and challenged society’s reasons behind their actions, chiding us for how we do and don’t react to the atrocities in daily life.
After the powerful performance and message that song contained, the mood shifted as Diamandis gleefully explained that just the night before they’d made a change in their setlist with the addition another of one of FROOT’s songs, Better Than That, surprising the audience but not at all faltering the delight in their voices.
When it came to an end, crowd’s voices settling down to simmer in preparation for the next song, the lights brightened along the stage just enough for all to see as the band brought out Diamandis’ piano. Likewise, she explained her intentions to play for Indianapolis, taking a seat to begin the next song off of the tour’s main album focus. The moment the mic picked up her voice in the starting cue, a wave of gentle emotion swirled and spread out to bring smiles to everyone’s faces, as that was all one could do when they heard Happy. In that moment of clarity, that moment of beauty, the back-up vocals had been unquestionably accepted by the audience, who joined together in their choir with no second thought.
Having now reached the midway point, the piano was carted back off stage, and the titular song of FROOT led the audience back to their bouncing excitement. Rays of green shot through the blue lighting, stage fruits glowing red in an extra touch. That wasn’t what drove the audience wild though; fitting to the colorful theme of the album and its companion song, the chorus produced an array of rainbow lights from the stage, shining in synergy with the ever incandescent mic stand. Love poured out through Diamandis’ voice, and it was gladly reciprocated in abundance. Now that the first half of the setlist had been completed, there was a small segment that she spoke to the audience, asking if everyone in the back was okay, if everyone was enjoying themselves. After the expected crescendo of screams, Diamandis expressed how grateful she was for those who had come out that evening to support her, explaining the surreality of having so many fans in the United States. This was said with a tone and look of adoration as she scanned the crowd, thrilled that people of all ages, races, genders, and sexualities were together with her, enjoying the music she created, and using it to be part of the conversation she’d wanted to start.
Following up with that was the continuation of the FROOT tracks, this time with the empowering Can’t Pin Me Down. After five songs from the album in a row, the sequence was broken by returning to Electra Heart, letting the emotional Lies sweep through the room. Stepping back further to her first album, Diamandis captivated the audience with an American Dream–Hollywood. If that hadn’t brought the enthusiasm in the room to its peak, the following song, the spiritual successor to Hollywood, came in the form of Electra Heart’s most famous track, Primadonna. That first syllable sent the entirety of the Egyptian Room’s occupants into a chaotic flurry of voices, so powerful that they nearly overtook the artist herself. There was no indication that any person singing would relent for their vocal cords, no matter how strained they may be. This dedication was shown gratefulness once more, in the smile Diamandis wore. It never mattered what stage presence a person had, nor the type of music they played; if your crowd is singing your own song alongside you, it’s impossible not to smile. It’s one of the most genuine smiles that any musician can give their audience.
Once Primadonna’s pandemonium finally came to a close, the bubbly atmosphere raised high with FROOT’s Blue, with Diamandis being veiled by the aptly colored lights as she bounced around the stage. Invited in by her motions, the audience naturally followed along with the glamour and high-spirited beat of the song. A small pause took place after its end, followed by the mellow beginning of I’m A Ruin, which would be the final song of FROOT at the show. Just as they had been earlier, the back-up vocals seemed to be a role graciously accepted by the crowd.
Despite it being the final song off of the new album, there remained two more songs on the setlist for the night. Blood burned as the dance-pop track Radioactive from Electra Heart took the place as second-to-last, green lights painting the stage and making the reds of the stage stand out even more. The final chorus was temporarily put on hold as the guitarist took the spotlight, providing the song with an instrumental solo before Diamandis finished the remainder, but not without applause for her band and their hard work.
With the unending smile she’d had through the night, Diamandis introduced her final song to the audience. Though there was a twinge of sadness in her lavish voice, she thanked them again for coming out to see her. As purples and pinks blended together to showcase the ensuing composition, all the love that had been gathered up through the entire concert was poured out into the reappearance of the crowd’s flurry when it was time to learn just How to be a Heartbreaker. There was dancing, singing, screaming, everything that could be contained in the final song the audience would be hearing from her live that evening. It was simply a last display of give-and-take; Diamandis truly loved the fans just as they loved her. The connection between them as they sang this song together supported that, as did the cheers and applause and the song–and therefore the concert–came to a close.
Diamandis spoke once more as the lights came up through the room, once more thanking Indianapolis for their welcoming ambiance, for having her and being there with her. In the desire to want to do a final bow, a moment of humor had arised when the sparkled cherry headband she’d been wearing as a trademark in the tour got stuck in her hair, prompting assistance from the band as she couldn’t help but laugh. Once the cherries were freed, her wish was granted as she and the band stood close, bowing deeply in appreciation. Even as they walked off the stage, fans were giving their last cries as they were the ones thankful for the performance. Though saddened in coming to terms with the fact it was over, the buzz of energy still channeled from head to toe as patrons began to leave.
Even I, who wrote this review, still get chills running down my spine when I think of the beautiful way Diamandis sang to us that evening. The way she strutted across the stage, owning everything about the performance. Calling to the audience, and the smiles when they responded. Leaving the building, there was absolutely no regret in seeing the show. There was only a sense of pure, unbridled happiness at the memories and experiences that we, as the audience, shared together.
Footnote: A few months ago, it was stated that Diamandis had planned a full tour for her album, titled The Neon Nature Tour. With this knowledge, one can only lie in wait and hope that she’ll come back to Indianapolis and show us that heartbreaker smile one more time.
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