I’m watching this show on NBC called The Voice and a young Melanie Martinez with half black, half blonde hair, which made her look Cruella De Vil-ish, is belting out her rendition of the Britney Spears song âToxic,â all while playing the tambourine with her feet and strumming an acoustic guitar. It was 2012. From that moment, I was hooked, I knew regardless of how far she made it on the show, she was going to go somewhere because she stood out. As an artist myself, it really caught my attention.
I made sure to follow her with close attention after she was eliminated from the show because I knew, somewhere down the line, she was going to release her own music, and I was probably going to go nuts for it. And you know what? I did.
Melanie Martinez | Photo by Jeff Roach
In 2014, Martinez released her Dollhouse EP, and it was an instant favorite. The catchy hooks and dark side of pop she displayed were just something I don’t think anybody in the music industry could compete with, it only made me believe in how much further she could go in the industry.
Tonight is the night I had been waiting since 2012 to happen. Melanie on the heels of releasing her new album Cry Baby which by the way debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200, hate to be the person to say told you so, but âŠ. I told you so! đ Anyways, Melanie is playing to a SOLD OUT crowd here at The Social in Orlando. I arrive around 5:30 because the weather as bad, and I figured the line wouldnât be that bad … boy was I wrong; the line was wrapped clear around the building.
Iâm thinking to myself A.) how are they going to fit all these people in this tiny venue, and B.) where am I going to get some photos I need for this review. About 6:45, I finally get to the doors and I make my way inside. I find myself in the far corner of the venue, and Iâm stressing because I want to be able to see Melanie, it had been almost 3 years of anticipation built up.
I hung out in the corner to watch the openers Handsome Ghost, who displayed a great indie sound and had the crowd going crazy when they covered a The 1975 song (which by the way, is also another one of my favorite bands, check out my The 1975 Live Photos). As they were unloading the stage and making room for Melanie and her band, I happened to notice the floor pit had just enough room for me to squeeze in, so I made my way down there. I am so glad I did, I was in for such a treat.
Melanie took the stage and was dressed in a vintage blouse complete with a feather boa type thing. Her band members wore cat ears and matching shirts. Melanie danced around on stage in front of a custom built cry baby set of blocks which lit up. I literally thought I was in heaven for a few minutes. She started her set out with the song âCrybabyâ which pretty much set the tone for the rest of the night; Melanie has a way of taking over the stage and her fans. The beats and the music just had me feeling some type of special way. I literally was caught up in this show, along with all the other fans that were dressed up as crybabies and had bunny and cat onesies on. I can honestly say that I had never seen anything like it, and I was ecstatic.
Melanie continues to play to me what seemed like every song on her new album, which I was not complaining about. At one point during the song âMr. Potato Head,â she had a audio malfunction, and since she didn’t sound her best, once the song ended she announced she wanted to give us 100% effort so she stopped the show and re-did the song as a stripped down acoustic version. I knew not only was she a great performer but damn the girl can flat out sing! I think I fell in love with her at that very moment.
Melanie Martinez | Photo by Jeff Roach
Between the energy on stage and the energy in the crowd, I would have to say this was by far the best show I had seen so far in 2015 (check out my Best of 2015 from earlier this year). I highly recommend anybody who is a fan of her not miss out and get your tickets before they sell out if she is coming to your town, she will not be playing these small venues for long. I look forward to watching Melanie Martinezâs musical career skyrocket and surpass any limitation that gets in her way; sheâs the real deal. Thank you Melanie for giving me one hell of a night!
Melanie Martinez Live Review and Live Concert Photos by Jeff Roach.
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