“If I can move like this when I’m 47…” Diana Ross winks at her screaming audience. “What? Well, I feel 47,” she shimmies.
It’s just three days ahead of her ‘legends’ performance at Glastonbury and Diana has taken the stage at London’s O2 Arena, to dazzle fans with a songbook of hits spanning her 52-year career.
The Thank You tour – her first in 15 years – sees Ms Ross strut on stage in an orange floor-length tulle for her opening number – the 1980s Chic-penned classic, I’m Coming Out.
The removable tulle is soon tossed to one side for an avalanche of Supremes hits – the iconic ooh, oohs of Baby Love and fierce Stop! In The Name of Love to pop great You Can’t Hurry Love.
In just minutes, the 78-year-old pop legend’s trademark treble tones have enraptured the room.
Solo era classics includes Chain Reaction and the wondrous Upside Down, followed by a Love Hangover / Take Me Higher / Ease Down The Road medley and the powerful theme to Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?) – before the rip-roaring Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. Behind Diana is a four-strong chorus take on backing vocals to smooth out those high tones when needed. They sit alongside the strings, keys and a full horn section.
A quick breather and Diana returns to the stage in a glittering silver gown. Why Do Fools Fall In Love? – a cover of Frankie Lymon – gets the crowd dancing once again.
Brand new track, If The World Just Danced – penned during the pandemic – is a modern twist on classic Diana, with catchy motifs fit for a Sunday at Worthy Farm.
Bringing the 90-minute set home in a lime green frock fit for a diva, with a cover of Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, Diana’s closing vocals are fierce and strong.
With an interlude of Thank You and a full band reprisal of the iconic Gaynor track, she bids her fans goodnight.
