92/100 4 days before her album 'The Family Jewels' release, Marina And The Diamonds played The Other Rooms in Newcastle. The small room was packed with 'Diamonds' desperate to make it to the front and catch a glimpse of the eccentric frontwoman. Marina was supported by the atmospheric synth pop band 'Clock Opera' who, unlike most support bands really got the crowd going and left me wanting to go see what one of their own gigs would offer. Despite Clock Opera's impressive performance and the crowds obvious admiration for them, nothing could overshadow the act which we had all come to see.
The cheers rippled through the crowd as a large security man escorted a cloaked figure through the left of the crowd, dressed in a knitted gown complete with pig/sheep hood and a Planet Hollywood dress Marina Strode onto stage and kicked off with the punchy 'Girls'. The crowd were all up for the gig from the start which was mainly due to Marina's enthusiasm on stage. She managed to keep pitch perfect whilst jumping from one side of the stage to the other determined to please all sounds of the room. She rattled through 'Seventeen' and Outsider' before taking time to thank her 'Diamonds' for their support before showing she really meant it by performing the impeccable 'I Am Not A Robot'. More of her excellent album tracks followed with 'Oh No', 'Numb','Obsessions' and 'Rootless' all making the £9.50 seem more and more worth it. She Finished her show with three songs which i think will become many fans favourites, first was the new single 'Hollywood' to which she held up a fans banner reading 'Hollywood infected our brains' (very jealous i didn't think of that). the second track is one of my favourites on the album 'Shampain', it was instantly popular with the crowd who despite the album only being streamed that morning had clearly taken time learn all the words. She finished the show with the brilliant 'Mowgli's Road' which I'm sure left all the diamonds go home with a sense of satisfaction and a serious carving to go and listen to those family jewels once again.
