LIVE REVIEW: Marina at ACL Fest Nights
Photo by Hunter Levy
AUSTIN, TX | ACL LIVE AT MOODY THEATER | OCTOBER 5, 2025 | BY ERIC MARTINEZ
I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to such a vibrant pop show, but after catching Marina Dimandis, most famously known as MARINA, and Mallrat at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, TX, it’s definitely been long overdue! I was at the edge of my seat for the entire night, and my eyes were peeled wide open for all the stunning visuals held on the PRINCESS OF POWER tour.
Frolicking on a checkered stage, Australian-born Grace Kathleen Elizabeth Shaw, also known as Mallrat, set the precedent for what’d be a fiery night fueled by feelings of confidence and high ego. Accompanied by her proclaimed DJ angel friend, Sarah Once Was, the two had everyone bumping to the electronic and alt-pop bass echoing within the venue. It honestly felt like a club at certain moments, which is fitting given the genre. No matter where you looked, there were people in the crowd having the time of their lives. Shaw also has such an angelic and enticing voice that perfectly complemented the distorted auto-tune, making her set all the more enjoyable.
After finishing her song “Wish on an Eyelash,” she expressed her thanks to MARINA for bringing her along on the P.O.P. tour and to the crowd, who were understanding of her recovering voice. Shaw then used this moment to transition to her next performance with her cover of the iconic Lana Del Rey track “Radio,” which ignited an exciting uproar. Her interpretation of the song gave it a whole new identity but still held true to LDR’s sentiment. With a kiss goodbye to the audience, Shaw departed from the stage, leaving a mark on a number of fans who were unfamiliar with the soloist until today.
Photo by Hunter Levy
The night had just started, but it was already starting to look like there was no end to the partying. As time drew closer to the headlining performance, Muse’s “Knights of Cydonia” could be heard from the stage, surrounded by clouds of fog. I wasn’t sure if this was part of the pre-show playlist, but after looking more into the P.O.P. tour, it seemed like MARINA may have intentionally selected this track as a nod to the band, given fan speculation to inspiration seen in the singer’s most recent release, “METALLIC STALLION.” Not long after, an 80s-inspired video game loading screen appeared, introducing the game that fans would be playing throughout the night. Character selections included easter eggs for longtime fans like Froot and Electra Heart, but we were now the Princess, heading into our first level: STAR FIELDS.
MARINA strutted to the crowd in a magenta, blue star-studded one-piece as she opened with her album title track, “PRINCESS OF POWER”. Despite appearing at ACL the weekend prior, she persevered and sounded like her recorded music. With her dusty pink ribbon bow mic stand, MARINA then took us to FAMILIAR HELLS. The singer gave into the theatrics of performing and was such a character on stage during “CUPID’S GIRL.” No matter where my head turned within the venue, everyone was living for the star igniting on stage and joined the fun by dancing straight out of their seats. The production also fit perfectly into the album’s concept, with colors flying around every corner, along with glitter, glimpses of space, and lots of rainbows engulfing the building. MARINA then took away from newer releases to perform both “Hermit Frog” and “How to Be A Heartbreaker,” an instant classic for many who lived through the treacherous yet nostalgic days of Tumblr.
Levels continued as the show progressed, including THE COCOON and DIGITAL FANTASIES, with its namesake track “DIGITAL FANTASY” being the perfect example of why this jarring video game concept works so well for this tour. What had been the cherry on top for me was PARTY PARADISO, where MARINA brought out five fabulously costumed fans on stage for the POP Pageant, as she called it, during “CUNTISSIMO.” It felt like a rococo fever-dream. I haven’t seen an artist so involved in cultivating such a liberating and exciting experience for fans that I had no other choice but to join everyone else on my feet in complete awe.
Photo by Hunter Levy
MARINA is the definition of a pop diva, both cheeky and poised, and she spared no one the expense of a boring show. KEYS TO THE CASTLE was the ultimate level of the night,where the singer’s track “FINAL BOSS” came to play with the lyric “Finish Him!” exclaimed from all throughout the venue and ended with a GAME OVER. Thankfully, the fun wasn’t over as MARINA revisited her Electra Heart days through “PRIMADONNA”, another major hit and fan-favorite that had many screaming from the top of their lungs.
A glimmering and pulsing WINNER sign promptly hit the screen as MARINA finished an encore performance of “I <3 YOU.” The video game had been played and beat! No doubt, everyone left feeling like winners for coming to see such a high production show from one of the many influential indie-pop icons of the 2010’s. I’m so happy to have been able to see MARINA live given that I grew up with her discography playing a major role in part of who I am today. The singer also announced that a majority of ticket and merchandise sales were going to an LGBTQ+ foundation which I found truly heartwarming since she recognized that the many of her fans who helped her get this far in her career are members of the community.
Once MARINA closes out another weekend at ACL, she’ll continue on with her PRINCESS OF POWER tour for the remaining North American leg alongside Mallrat. I highly recommend getting tickets to any shows left, if possible, because you won’t regret the night of fun you’ll have with MARINA as your main player!
