October 17th at the iconic Fox Theater in Oakland, California, the ever-evolving pop-chameleon MARINA delivered a vibrant and theatrical performance as part of her ongoing The Princess of Power Tour, in support of her latest album Princess of Power. From the moment the lights dimmed and an old-school, rolling text crawl filled the massive LED screen—evoking vintage video-game intros and cinematic openings. Marina signaled that this was going to be more than just a typical pop show. Live reviews from other dates of the tour suggest the performance is divided into distinct “levels,” as though the audience is playing a game of self-discovery and empowerment.
Opening with “PRINCESS OF POWER” and the fan-favourite “Are You Satisfied?”, she quickly moved from nostalgia for her early career into newer terrain. The setlist from Oakland (as reported) features classic hits like “How to Be a Heartbreaker” and “I Am Not a Robot,” alongside album cuts such as “Butterfly,” “Final Boss,” and “I <3 YOU.”
What felt most striking about the evening was the way Marina seamlessly bridged past and present. There was the sparkle and edge of Electra Heart-era Marina, the lyrical introspection of Love + Fear, and now this new era of autonomy and pop-glam under her own imprint, Queenie Records. The visual aesthetic—neon pinks, cosmic stars, digital graphics—amplified that sense of reclamation, of stepping into one’s full power.
Musically, the show floated effortlessly between rousing anthems and shimmering ballads. Highlights included a haunting rendition of “Everybody Knows I’m Sad,” giving way to the euphoric “Butterfly” which had the crowd jumping and singing in unison. Marina’s vocals remained strong and confident, filling the historic theatre with emotional clarity and dramatic flair. The audience’s energy was high throughout, with fans waving arms, singing back lyrics, and fully embracing the interactive elements of the performance.
Beyond the sonic and visual spectacle, there was a tangible theme of transformation: vulnerability as strength, pain as a platform, and the celebration of feminine power in all its forms. This is very much the core of Princess of Power as a concept—and seeing it played out live here in Oakland, one got the sense that MARINA is not only performing songs, she’s enacting a narrative, an uplift.
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