Marina and the Diamonds at Masonic Auditorium – Feb. 2, 2022

Maria Diamandis and band on stage. Marina stands with arms spread and the other members of the band play and sing on either side.

Marina and the Diamonds

My youngest, Vincent, had introduced me to Marina on a recent trip to New Mexico, and I jumped at the chance to pick up tickets to her 2022 World Tour. This would be our first concert in 2 years. In early 2022 most of us were taking Covid quite seriously, unlike the denialism of 2024 (even though 1000+ Americans are still dying of it each week as I write this). Proof of vaccination was required to enter the venue, and folks were all pretty much masked, though I observed that once the show got underway most of the audience had removed their masks.

The crowd was diverse and had a sense of geekiness. People weren’t trying to be cool – they were just here because they love Marina. Several women, and a few men, were dressed like characters from Marina’s music videos. Lots of sleek, bright party dresses with tall boots and tiaras. People were sweet and well behaved.

In preparation for writing this review, I rewatched all the videos I made of that performance, and I was reminded how electrifying it was, and how pumped the crowd and the band were that night. It was the first night of this tour – so not only was it the first concert in at least 2 years for most of the audience, it was likely the first time the performers had been in front of a full concert hall for a similar time. So add to that artistry and charisma of the performers and you really have something.

The opener was Tove Styrke, a Swedish pop singer. She had a playful, kinda sexy outfit in lavender and white tulle. She wore a lavender latex corset, black bikini bottoms and a white and lavender train in the back. Her band was one kind of skinny Tom Petty looking guy in a baseball cap. He triggered the beats and played guitar. Tove had a great energy, beautiful voice, and her music was heavy and effective. The crowd was into her.

After the first few songs she said would we like to help her celebrate Swedish culture with her, and the audience screamed affirmatively. She launched into her favorite Abba song. I didn’t recognize it, but it was a pretty ballad. Tove then asked the crowd ‘is anybody gay?’ and of course most of the audience screamed. She announced she would play her new song “Show Me Love” which she wrote for her girlfriend. It was pretty sexy.

I went out to the bathroom during the break, and took the opportunity to buy a Marina shirt even though it was $40. It looks like the cover of a comic book, with Marina and the Ancient Dreams in a Modern land logo. Found my way back to Vinny, and it was time for Marina and her band to take the stage.

Marina took the stage in a black catsuit with a red collar that was puffy like a feather boa. She has a gorgeous figure with a tiny waist, and her bare arms were toned and muscular. Marina had a full band and they were terrific. The band was super tight, and everything sounded great from the bangers to the quieter numbers. Marina has a gorgeous, soaring voice made even better by her cute English accent.

Marina has a really deep connection with her fans which is amazing to see. It felt like half the audience was singing along to every song. And the crowd went nuts when she played songs from her back catalog, like Bubblegum Bitch or How to be a Heartbreaker. It was a very memorable concert, and a great way to end the 2-year live music drought.

Marina and the Diamonds performs at the Masonic auditorium. Marina sits at a grand piano, other band members are silhouetted.

Marina and the Diamonds

Marina and the Diamonds say farewell after the final encore

Marina and the Diamonds

Tove Styrker performs at the Masonic auditorium. She's wearing a purple corset, with a flowing white tulle skirt partially covering her bare legs. She has one accompanist who is playing the guitar.

Tove Styrker

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Pandemic Livestreams – 2020 and 2021

Flyer for Mary Timony livestream picturing the artist, standing inside the church, holding her Fender Jaguar guitar.

Flyer for Mary Timony livestream


In 2020 and early 2021 the pandemic was raging, no vaccine was available, and thousands of people were dying terrible deaths weekly. The world really did shut down in significant ways – jobs (where possible) went remote, school went remote, many businesses shuttered, while others adapted by providing drive through service, delivery and so on. I saw no live, in-person music from March, 2020 through January 2022.
In the early weeks and months after lockdowns began, many performers organized streaming events. My wife and I watched an early one headlined by Willie Nelson, which was also a fundraiser for folks who had been impacted by the pandemic. It kind of jumped around from artist to artist, each one playing a couple songs from their own studios or living rooms. Patti Smith streamed a performance with her band. At that time folks would literally quarantine for a week or two before gathering, and the drummer still wore a mask as I recall. Kaelan Mikla streamed from Iceland, which was relatively protected from the virus. Vial performed in their basement and the Aquadolls streamed from bass-player Keilah’s couch, with Jackie doing percussion on a cajon.

By far the most amazing stream I saw was Mary Timony performing songs from her beautiful album Mountains, which had recently been re-released on its 20th anniversary. The performance was recorded in St Mark’s church in Washington, DC and everything about it was magical. This was a ticketed event that was only available for a few days in March of 2021. Mary was joined by a number of accomplished musicians – Mark Cisneros, David Christian, Amy Domingues, and Winston Yu inside the airy church. There were strings, flute, keyboards and percussion. Only 6 six songs, but it was so magical.

I’m writing this in August of 2024, and the pandemic is still raging, despite assurances from politicians and business leaders that the pandemic is behind us. All the pandemic mitigations from 2020 and 2021 have largely ended. Meaningful statistics are no longer being collected from hospitals, and some cities are actually passing anti-masking legislation (!) with the ostensible goal of public safety. I am personally recovering from my second infection, which has really knocked the wind out of my sails. It’s really a time of collective stupidity, and total abnegation of responsibility by politicians and health officials.

The Aquadolls, Keilah, Melissa and Jackie sit on a couch, smiling and performing.

Aquadolls Livestream

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Sinéad O’Connor at Rio Theater – February 12, 2020

Sinéad O'Connor and band performing

Sinéad O’Connor and band performing


The last live music performance I would see for almost 2 years was Sinéad O’Connor, performing in our little podunk town of Santa Cruz on February 12, 2020. This brings up multiple forms of grief. Sinéad is not going to be gracing the Rio Theater any more in this lifetime. Even at the time I was aware that seeing Sinéad was a rare opportunity – in retrospect it is much more bittersweet.

Show was very lovely, but low key. She started right at 8:00pm, and we were leaving the theater at 9:10pm. She sang with plenty of emotion, and her energy felt very clear and grounded. Sinéad and the band sounded great, and they looked like they were enjoying themselves.

The band consisted of bass and drums, two guitar players, and keyboards. The sound was full and satisfying. Sinéad had good rapport with the two guitar players, and they joined in on vocals, including one pretty a capella number. In my notes I wrote that the band is 70s style rock, a la Delany & Bonnie. Well folks, that’s all I have to say for now.

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