MARINA Dazzles in Philadelphia on her “Princess of Power” Tour
- Emma Zoe Polyak
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
MARINA’s performance at Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia was nothing short of spectacular. As I arrived at the venue, fans’ excitement was palpable, with many wearing elaborate costumes and buzzing with anticipation.
The night opened with a set from Australia’s Mallrat. I had seen her in Philadelphia earlier this year, but it was striking to watch how natural she looked on a bigger stage, dancing around with her headphones. She spoke about MARINA as one of her biggest influences, also citing Lana Del Rey before launching into a cover of “Radio.” Her airy pop sound, equal parts dreamy and grounded, filled the room with an easy warmth that contrasted MARINA’s maximalist spectacle.
The retro feel of the night was set by a Star Wars–style text crawl that appeared as MARINA’s band took the stage. The scroll introduced the fantastical ninety-minute journey ahead, while pixelated visuals mimicked video game levels that guided the set. Behind her, glowing animations pulled the audience deeper into MARINA’s world.
The first level, Star Fields, began with “PRINCESS OF POWER,” the title track of her latest album and the persona she embodies on this tour. The record is one of her most exciting eras yet, reclaiming power and sensuality across thirteen sparkling pop anthems. From the first note, MARINA commanded the stage with a mix of theatrical flair and genuine warmth, drawing the crowd in as if she was leading us on a quest.
Familiar Hells followed, with classic crowd favorites like “Hermit the Frog” and “How to Be a Heartbreaker.” Throughout her set, MARINA moved seamlessly between older hits and newer material. Level three, Cocoon, leaned into themes of transformation and healing with songs such as “I Am Not a Robot” and “BUTTERFLY.”
Next up was Digital Fantasies, which fittingly opened with “DIGITAL FANTASY” and featured the deep cut “Blue” from her 2015 album Froot. But my favorite moment was Party Paradiso, where “CUNTISSIMO” and “Bubblegum Bitch” had the crowd roaring. MARINA even staged a mini pageant, ultimately crowning a fan in angel wings as the winner – a fitting choice amid so many imaginative costumes.
The finale, Keys to the Castle, closed with “Primadonna” and “I <3 YOU,” ringing out through the sold-out hall.
MARINA’s music will always have a touch of nostalgia for me and seeing her command the stage with such powerful vocals and energy a decade after first discovering her music was enchanting. The entire venue shook with fans singing along, a reminder of just how exhilarating a great pop show can be.
Beyond the stage, MARINA has partnered with the nonprofit PLUS1 to create The MARINA Fund. As she shared on social media, “The fund will support LGBTQ+ individuals and civilians worldwide affected by conflict – with immediate focus on the genocide in Gaza.” Her tour continues through the U.S. in October; you can find more information about the dates here.
