The Neon Nature Tour is the third concert tour by
Welsh
Welsh may refer to:
Related to Wales
* Welsh, referring or related to Wales
* Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales
* Welsh people
People
* Welsh (surname)
* Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...
recording artist
Marina
A marina (from Spanish , Portuguese and Italian : ''marina'', "coast" or "shore") is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.
A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships o ...
(formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds) in support of her third studio album, ''
Froot
''Froot'' (stylised in all caps) is the third studio album by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis and her last under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds. It was originally scheduled to be released on 3 April 2015 by Neon Gold Records and Atlantic ...
'' (2015). The tour was officially announced three months after the release of the album, on June 23, 2015. The tour began on October 12, 2015, in
Houston
Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...
,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
at the
Revention Music Center
The Bayou Music Center (originally known as the Aerial Theater) is an indoor theater owned by Live Nation and located in Houston, Texas, United States. The theater is located at the Bayou Place entertainment complex in Downtown Houston.
Naming ...
and concluded on March 20, 2016, in Santiago, Chile, with a total of fifty-two shows over six months.
Background
After the release of ''
Froot
''Froot'' (stylised in all caps) is the third studio album by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis and her last under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds. It was originally scheduled to be released on 3 April 2015 by Neon Gold Records and Atlantic ...
'', Diamandis embarked on a promotional concert tour that was mostly composed of festival performances during the spring and summer of 2015. During the series of promotional concerts, Diamandis expressed an interest in doing a formal concert tour in the fall of that year. In April 2015, when speaking about the tour, Diamandis said "I think I’m calling my tour the Neon Nature tour. Creating this cyber garden on-stage, something exotic, but electrical."
Two months after the initial idea was expressed, on June 23, 2015, the tour's North American leg was officially announced with nineteen dates over two months. About two weeks after the tour's initial announcement, on July 6, 2015, the tour's European leg was announced with ten dates across the United Kingdom and Ireland. As the tour began to develop, additional dates were added to both legs of the tour.
On April 5, 2016, Diamandis posted a picture to Instagram following the conclusion of her tour, along with a statement on Twitter, marking the end of the ''Froot'' era, with Weeds being the only track on the album never performed live in the entirety of the ''Froot'' era and her career.
Development
In the months leading up to the tour, Diamandis began to tease what the tour's visual concept and theme would be. In an interview, Diamandis stated, "With the Neon Nature Tour, I really like the idea of taking natural things and blending them. I feel like it's something I’m always interested in anyway, and I feel like it's also something a lot of people connect to, like, 'How can you live a life that's natural while still progressing and being part of the technological world.' So the themes for Neon Nature involve a lot of flowers, fruit, very surreal elements … but it's definitely the biggest kind of tour I’ve ever done production-wise. I want to see what people think." She also revealed how the setlist would be structured as well as what type of merchandise will be for sale on the tour. When speaking of the setlist for the tour, Diamandis stated, "I have three acts in the show. My first act is devoted to my first album (''
The Family Jewels''), the second is
my second album
''My Second Album'' is the second studio album released by American country artist Donna Fargo. The album was released in February 1973 on Dot Records and was produced by Fargo's husband and manager Stan Silver. The album spawned two number one s ...
, and the third is ''
Froot
''Froot'' (stylised in all caps) is the third studio album by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis and her last under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds. It was originally scheduled to be released on 3 April 2015 by Neon Gold Records and Atlantic ...
''. It's something I’ve wanted to do for a while. Each era has such a defined look that it didn’t make sense for me to mix them. I quite like theatre, and this is a theatrical show. It felt good to put it into three acts. I don’t think that often happens in
alternative
Alternative or alternate may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* Alternative (''Kamen Rider''), a character in the Japanese TV series ''Kamen Rider Ryuki''
* ''The Alternative'' (film), a 1978 Australian television film
* ''The Alternative ...
shows." When discussing what the merchandise stand would consist of, Diamandis exclaimed, "Well, I plan to go one up from what I’ve done in the past. I really want to do
scratch and sniff
Scratch and sniff technology generally refers to stickers or paperboard items that have been treated with a fragrant coating. When scratched, the coating releases an odor that is normally related to the image displayed under the coating. The tec ...
T-shirts. Maybe those Global
Hypercolor
Hypercolor was a line of clothing, mainly T-shirts and shorts, that changed color with heat.
They were manufactured by Generra Sportswear Company of Seattle and marketed in the United States as Generra Hypercolor or Generra Hypergrafix and el ...
ones. I want to put my colour palette onto eye shadows and nail varnish. I also want
glow in the dark T-shirts that people can buy and then be part of the show."
Concert synopsis
The show is split into three acts, each one devoted to an album by Diamandis, beginning with "
The Family Jewels". During most, but not all, shows, the show is performed on a double stage, comprising the venue's original stage floor and a balcony-style stage above three video screens.
![Marina and the Diamonds, Roundhouse, London (24568356754)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Marina_and_the_Diamonds%2C_Roundhouse%2C_London_%2824568356754%29.jpg)
The show's opener, "
Mowgli's Road" is performed. While during most of the United Kingdom and North American leg of the tour, Diamandis enters wearing either one of two outfits designed by Paula Knorr, featuring headbands with two jewels on them. During the European and South American leg of the tour, some of the shows started with Diamandis entering and performing "
Mowgli's Road" in an outfit designed by
Celia Kritharioti
Celia Kritharioti ( el, Σίλια Κριθαριώτη, link=no) is a Greek fashion designer. She is the owner of the oldest Greek fashion house, established in 1906.
Personal life
Kritharioti is married to Greek shipowner Nikolas Tsakos and ...
. The show continues with "
I Am Not a Robot
"I Am Not a Robot" is a song by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis, released under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds, from her debut studio album, '' The Family Jewels'' (2010). It was released digitally on 23 April 2010 and physically on 26 Apr ...
" and "
Oh No!"; Diamandis briefly talks to the audience and moves to a keyboard to perform "
Obsessions
"Obsessions" is the second single from the album '' A New Morning'' by Suede, released on 18 November 2002 through Columbia Records.
Background
Though the single was another disappointment on the charts, reaching only 29 on the UK Singles Chart ...
" while the video screens display footage from Betty Boop shorts. This section closes with a performance of "
Hollywood
Hollywood usually refers to:
* Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California
* Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States
Hollywood may also refer to:
Places United States
* Hollywood District (disambiguation)
* Hollywood, ...
" amid scenes of animated Hollywood. Diamandis leaves the stage for a costume change.
Opening the next section, a remixed version of "
Electra Heart
''Electra Heart'' is the second studio album by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis, released under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds. It was released on 27 April 2012 by 679 Artists and Atlantic Records. Diamandis collaborated with producers i ...
" is played by the band alongside a video interlude where Diamandis' face is seen flowing to her signature Electra Heart look while the album's title flashes. While an interlude of "
Bubblegum Bitch
"Bubblegum Bitch" is a song by Welsh singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis, professionally known as Marina and formerly as Marina and the Diamonds. An opening track on her second studio album, ''Electra Heart'' (2012), it was released on 27 April 20 ...
" is played, a silhouette of Diamandis appears on the screens, and Diamandis enters with pompoms and the signature heart on her left cheek. At most of the concerts, Diamandis enters wearing a pink catsuit designed by Austin Louis Perry, while some of the other concerts she is seen wearing an outfit also designed by Austin Louis Perry with a pink catsuit and holographic bell bottoms on her arms and legs. She begins to perform an energetic performance of "
Bubblegum Bitch
"Bubblegum Bitch" is a song by Welsh singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis, professionally known as Marina and formerly as Marina and the Diamonds. An opening track on her second studio album, ''Electra Heart'' (2012), it was released on 27 April 20 ...
" with the video screens displaying various phrases such as "Tweet Me", "Marry Me", "Cwtch Me" ("cwtch" is Welsh for "cuddle" or "hug"), "Miracles Happen". After the first chorus, she throws the pompoms back in a sassy manner. The next number played was "Teen Idle". In 2016, the graphics changed with phrases that say "Welcome to the life of Electra Heart" and "Marilyn is the only one who understands" (Earlier in the tour, "
Radioactive
Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity, radioactive disintegration, or nuclear disintegration) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation. A material containing unstable nuclei is consid ...
" was performed instead of "Teen Idle"). This is followed by "
How to Be a Heartbreaker
"How to Be a Heartbreaker" is a song by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis, released under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds, from her second studio album, ''Electra Heart'' (2012). It was released on 7 December 2012 by 679 Artists and Atlantic ...
". "
Primadonna
In opera or commedia dell'arte, a prima donna (; Italian for "first lady"; plural: ''prime donne'') is the leading female singer in the company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given.
''Prime donne'' often had grand off-stage pers ...
" is performed after Diamandis re-introduces the robotic poodle "Marilyn", who also made an appearance in the majority of "
The Lonely Hearts Club Tour
The Lonely Hearts Club Tour is the second concert tour by Welsh singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis, formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds.
Background and development
The UK dates were announced on Valentine's Day with the North American da ...
". The section closes with a performance of "
Lies" where lights start flashing around the stage, and Diamandis exits for another costume change.
The next section opens with a video interlude displaying Diamandis' Electra Heart look transforming to her face as seen in the cover of ''"
Froot
''Froot'' (stylised in all caps) is the third studio album by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis and her last under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds. It was originally scheduled to be released on 3 April 2015 by Neon Gold Records and Atlantic ...
"'', with a starry background and various fruits as well as the album's name flashing on the screen. Diamandis re-appears above the video screens. and at most concerts, wearing a sparkly blue catsuit with similar colored cape attached and similar colored cherries used as a head accessory, with the outfit designed by
Michael Costello and the headpiece by Piers Atkinson. Other outfits were such as a green catsuit with bell bottom "sleeves" and a blue catsuit with fabric flowing from the sleeves, both designed b
Burnt Soul She begins to perform "
Froot
''Froot'' (stylised in all caps) is the third studio album by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis and her last under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds. It was originally scheduled to be released on 3 April 2015 by Neon Gold Records and Atlantic ...
"; following this she moves to the lower stage and performs "Savages", "Can't Pin Me Down" and "I'm A Ruin" (From December 1 to 3, 2015, "Gold"; And at some shows "Solitaire" was performed). "Forget" is performed next (At some shows, "True Colours", a
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper Thornton (born June 22, 1953) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist. Her career has spanned over 40 years. Her album ''She's So Unusual'' (1983) was the first debut album by a female artist to achi ...
cover song was performed after "Forget"), then "Immortal", where home video footage is seen on the screens. After briefly leaving the stage, Diamandis begins the encore by performing "
Happy
Happiness, in the context of mental or emotional states, is positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Other forms include life satisfaction, well-being, subjective well-being, flourishing and eudaimonia.
Sinc ...
" against a starry background; the show ends with a performance of "Blue" with snippets of the music video playing on the screens. Diamandis then thanks the audience for coming, introduces her band members, takes one final bow with her band and exits the stage.
Critical reception
The tour was well-received by fans and critics and got positive reviews. Frank Mojica from the Chicago-based online magazine ''
Consequence of Sound
''Consequence'' (previously ''Consequence of Sound'') is an independently owned New York-based online magazine featuring news, editorials, and reviews of music, movies, and television. In addition, the website also features the Festival Outlook ...
'' praised the 19 October 2015 show in Los Angeles at the
Greek Theatre
Ancient Greek theatre was a theatrical culture that flourished in ancient Greece from 700 BC. The city-state of Athens, which became a significant cultural, political, and religious place during this period, was its centre, where the theatre was ...
, calling it "A pop experience that's all pleasure and no guilt". Reviewing the 23 November
Manchester
Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...
concert at
The Ritz, Annaliese Watkins from the ''
Manchester Evening News
The ''Manchester Evening News'' (''MEN'') is a regional daily newspaper covering Greater Manchester in North West England, founded in 1868. It is published Monday–Saturday; a Sunday edition, the ''MEN on Sunday'', was launched in February 201 ...
'' gave a positive review, saying: "As always, the show was cartoonish and flashy in its production, a trait which fails to distract from Marina's incredible vocals, glorious glam-rock get-ups and ever-surprising lyrics"
Broadcast
The performance on November 4, 2015 in Boston was
live-streamed
Livestreaming is streaming media simultaneously recorded and broadcast in real-time over the internet. It is often referred to simply as streaming. Non-live media such as video-on-demand, vlogs, and YouTube videos are technically streamed, but no ...
by Yahoo, and the show on March 12, 2016 at Lollapalooza Brasil was streamed through Internet Worldwide and TV in Brazil. On November 11, 2015 Diamandis performed an exclusive and intimate Neon Nature Tour show at the
New York Hall of Science
The New York Hall of Science, also known as NYSCI, is a science museum located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in the New York City borough of Queens, in the section of the park that is in Corona. It occupies one of the few remaining structures fr ...
which was recorded for an episode of the ''
Live from the Artists Den
''Live From the Artists Den'' is a three-time New York Emmy-nominated music television series that features popular recording artists performing in non-traditional settings throughout North America. ''Live From the Artists Den'' broadcasts nation ...
'' TV series. The episode was aired through television on April 24, 2016.
Set list
This setlist is representative of the show on February 25, 2016. It does not represent all dates throughout the tour.
Act 1: The Family Jewels
#
" Mowgli's Road"
#"I Am Not a Robot
"I Am Not a Robot" is a song by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis, released under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds, from her debut studio album, '' The Family Jewels'' (2010). It was released digitally on 23 April 2010 and physically on 26 Apr ...
"
#" Oh No!"
#"Obsessions"
#"Hollywood
Hollywood usually refers to:
* Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California
* Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States
Hollywood may also refer to:
Places United States
* Hollywood District (disambiguation)
* Hollywood, ...
"
Act 2: Electra Heart
#"Bubblegum Bitch"
#"Teen Idle"
#"How to Be a Heartbreaker
"How to Be a Heartbreaker" is a song by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis, released under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds, from her second studio album, ''Electra Heart'' (2012). It was released on 7 December 2012 by 679 Artists and Atlantic ...
"
#"Primadonna
In opera or commedia dell'arte, a prima donna (; Italian for "first lady"; plural: ''prime donne'') is the leading female singer in the company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given.
''Prime donne'' often had grand off-stage pers ...
"
#"Lies"
Act 3: Froot
#"Froot
''Froot'' (stylised in all caps) is the third studio album by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis and her last under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds. It was originally scheduled to be released on 3 April 2015 by Neon Gold Records and Atlantic ...
"
#"Savages"
#"Can't Pin Me Down"
#" I'm a Ruin"
#"Forget"
#"Immortal"
Encore
#"Happy
Happiness, in the context of mental or emotional states, is positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Other forms include life satisfaction, well-being, subjective well-being, flourishing and eudaimonia.
Sinc ...
"
#"Blue"
Shows
Notes
References
{{Marina and the Diamonds
Marina Diamandis concert tours
2015 concert tours
2016 concert tours
Concert tours of Canada
Concert tours of Europe
Concert tours of France
Concert tours of Germany
Concert tours of Ireland
Concert tours of North America
Concert tours of South America
Concert tours of the United Kingdom
Concert tours of the United States