There was lots of glitz and sparkle shining in the summer sun as many flamboyantly dressed Diana Ross fans made their way into the First Direct Arena.
They waited patiently at the security checks with that being a mere footnote in the delay of Diana Ross’ UK tour which was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic. Inside, those who ardently love the Motown icon got the chance to show off their glittery outfits in all their splendour at the big Leeds funk and soul disco.
Ahead of her taking to the arena’s stage, support act Zak Abel, spoke of his admiration for Ross and covered a dancefloor fave Good Times by Chic. Rather fittingly, later in the evening when Ross joined her band making a grand entrance, to rapturous applause, she opened with I’m Coming Out - a collaboration with Chic’s Nile Rodgers.
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This then led to a joyous tour of The Supremes’ best hits, of course fronted by Ross, with showstopper after showstopper coming in the opening period of the concert. Baby Love into Stop! In the Name of Love (where all in attendance raised their hands as sassily as possible) and You Can't Hurry Love were just wonderful.
Ross, one of music’s true divas, was accompanied by a 14-piece ensemble band but in fact there were actually over 10,000 backing singers in the audience all playing their part - the crowd were ridiculously loud at times. This is something which seemed to humble Ms Ross who on at least one occasion looked to wipe away a tear. Throughout the show, part of her Thank You tour, the world famous singer spoke of how much she loved her fans and being in Leeds on tour.
Sometimes when performers make these admissions it can feel a little hollow and transparent but, in this instance, there was a sense of gratitude and clear sentiment from the Detroit star - who has sold over 100m albums. And, her voice was incredibly impressive, although maybe this is to be expected as she’s still only 47 after all...
A loose fact she joked with her audience about. She’s actually 78 and has been performing since the age of 14. Later in the evening, we got a mix of Ross' biggest solo hits and collaborations as well as a couple covers. I’m Still Waiting, Upside Down and I Will Survive being just some of the night's highlights.
The musical great’s band were also brilliant and effortlessly filled for time as Ross exited the stage for her four costume changes. If you are in any doubt, the frocks were undoubtedly fabulous. The occasion was just full of fun and you couldn't want for more at Leeds First Direct Arena on Wednesday.
Ross probably wouldn’t describe the show, or the night’s preceding one in Manchester, as such but the performance was something of a warm-up for her massive legends slot, in front of hundreds of thousands, at Glastonbury later this month. Once again, based on Ross’ Leeds performance and greatest hits set, the Eavis family might well have pulled off another masterstroke with their legends booking. It had been hard to see anything eclipsing Lionel Richie and Dolly Parton’s previous sets, both stuff of Pilton folklore, but on this form it is likely Ross will be one of the highlights of Glasto 2022.
Not least because of that purposeful attention the star has clearly given to her audience during this run of UK shows. While screens showed montages of Ross throughout the years there was also a camera floating around the crowd all night with the masses displayed on screen - it was always a sea of smiles (this reviewer’s ugly mug did feature twice which, admittedly, was difficult for all concerned).
As the show went on, we had audience members screaming out declarations of marriage and love for the disco queen. While, in the encore, there was quite a tender couple of minutes where Ross asked for a chair to be brought out and the house lights raised.
Something she regularly does during her Las Vegas concerts she spoke, seated centre stage, to the audience and answered some of their questions. It concluded in a rather touching moment where she spoke to a fan on the front row, who’d she noticed had been dancing with everything he’d got, all night, who asked if Ross and her band would do a rendition of It’s My Turn.
You can watch Diana Ross' interaction with a Leeds fan below
After a little conversation with those behind her, Ross, duly obliged and it was so apparent that moment made that fan’s night - if not his year. It is mighty impressive too performing an unplanned song off the cuff too.
Hopefully there will be a tender moment like this, complimented by an ridiculously infectious supply of disco classics, that will go viral after Ross’ Glasto appearance - which will be televised to millions.
In short, if you are off to Worthy Farm in a few weeks, then don’t miss the musical great that is Diana Ross.
Setlist
- I'm Coming Out
- More Today Than Yesterday
- My World Is Empty Without You
- Baby Love
- Stop! In the Name of Love
- You Can't Hurry Love
- Love Child
- Chain Reaction
- I'm Still Waiting
- Upside Down
- Love Hangover / Take Me Higher / Ease on Down the Road
- Why Do Fools Fall in Love
- If We Hold on Together
- If the World Just Danced
- Theme From Mahogany
- Ain't No Mountain High Enough
- I Will Survive
Encore
- It's My Turn
- Thank You
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