Marina Yozora Live at Soho Poly Independent Venue Week 2026

Live report

Rain is pouring down on this cold and dark January night, and there is still lots of people around in in central London. But just off Great Portland Street, hidden from the hustle and bustle, is Soho Poly.

I hadn’t heard of this venue before, and in the dark there was a warm glow coming from the entrance. We were greeted by a staff member who kindly waved us through, and I noticed the poster for tonight’s show with the words ‘SOLD OUT‘ across it.

Marina had been invited to this Independent Venue Week event, one of only a few selected artists, with the show sold out in advance.

There was already quite a few people there mingling and chatting amongst themselves. A merch table was set up, and Marina Yozora was greeting her fans. This was my first time meeting Marina, and she was so pleased to see everyone.

More people started arriving, and there was a buzz as the show time grew near. We were ushered downstairs to the basement where the ground level stage area was set up: just a small amp and mic, and an electric guitar on view.

I made my way to the front of the stage. Being so short, I always try to get near the front for a better view. More people joined me and soon the small hall was filled.

Marina Yozora entered the stage to the crowds applause, a shy smile on her face as she looked out into the audience, taking a moment for herself. She welcomed us warmly, and immediately took a crowd photo for herself.

The lights turned down, and Marina picked up her guitar.

Soft notes quickly filled the room, the dreamy sound and reverb full and bright. Marina has an almost fragile voice, but it is still confident and strong, and the first song enveloped the whole room. Before she started her set, Marina let us know this was a new song, Snow Heat, and this was its premier to the fans.

Marina’s dreampop and shoegaze style brings a feeling of nostalgia and intimacy that captures you and brings a sense of calm. Throughout the performance, Marina gives insight to each song, with personal touches and anecdotes about her life. Her early years of moving between Japan the States and Vietnam, and now London, and the impact that had on her. She was candid and open, wanting us to be a part of her story.

As the performance moved along, the crowd was delighted to hear Marina’s most recent release, Touché. A song about saying goodbye to someone she has not met yet, and a goodbye to her fans in Japan before her move to London. You can feel the intimacy in her voice as she pours out her feelings.

komorebi is the only Japanese language song on the set list. Marina explains ahead that komorebi means sunlight filtering through trees, and that we have no English word that translates to its meaning. The beauty of light that dapples between the forest leaves, Marina explains the song is for the fans she left behind in Tokyo, and the warm feeling of looking over them even though she is now far away.

Part of the set included two covers from the band Daughter. Marina explained the importance of this band, how she cried through the night, and the impact the songs Tomorrow and Smother had on her.

The haunting song Daffodils follows, and Marina tells us how the flower, although attracted to the light, faces down. Her poetic lyrics and seraphic vocals enhance the feeling of longing. For these last few songs, a TV is rolled out, with Marina explaining that bringing visuals to capture the feeling of her music is an important aspect of her live performance. Visuals of meadows and summer flowers floating in the breeze capture that theme of nostalgia that has encompassed tonight’s performance.

The evening comes to a close, and the final song Watermelon Pink Blue Skies begins. The audience stands in silence as the song comes to an end and Marina, with that same shy smile, thanks us all as everyone applauds her performance.

Fans began to come forward to thank Marina. I reached out my hand to her shoulder and thanked her for such a wonderful evening, letting her know that she gave me a feeling of hopefulness that I hadn’t felt before from a live show.

The background chatter began to rise as Marina and her fans gathered at the front of the small stage.

I went to this show completely blind to Marina’s music and style. The overarching themes of nostalgia and longing for the past, but embracing the future, was clear throughout. As a woman who has now entered her fifth decade, and has moved away from home, I understand that feeling that Marina conveys though her music. That longing for the past, for friends, the hopefulness of a bright future has that tinge of sadness for the past that we don’t quite want to let go of.

Thanks to Marina Yozora, Soho Poly, and all involved in putting this performance together.