The word legend is bandied about a lot. But where Diana Ross is concerned, the term is more than justified. There was something almost unreal about watching her on stage last night, during her show at Manchester’s Co-op Live. When someone’s songs are so iconic, it can be hard to wrap your head around the actual person who sang them being right there on stage in front of you. I mean, how many times have you heard Baby Love by The Supremes? Or Stop in the Name of Love, or Reach Out and Touch, or Chain Reaction. I could go on. But there they came, an avalanche of Motown, pop, soul, funk and jazz's finest, in a startlingly good set spanning the whole of Diana’s 60-odd-year career.

After a long video intro detailing Diana’s incredible life, she came on stage to I’m Coming Out, dressed in dazzling red sequins. Over a two hour show she gave us exactly what we wanted: the hits. 

We dwell too much on people’s age as a society, but at 81 years old it has to be said… wow. She looked and sounded astonishing. What’s more, the showbiz veteran seemed to be having a really good time. Diana gently joked about her years during some of the more upbeat numbers, encouraging the crowd to get on their feet and dance. “I can move my body like this… and I’m 47. You know I’m 81, right? You know what they say, move it or lose it.” 

Diana has been an inspiration to so many, from Beyonce to Janet Jackson. Her songs have been played everywhere from weddings to gay clubs. In fact, she's a gay icon. But nobody has been more inspired it seems than her own flesh and blood, as, later in the show, Diana was joined on stage by daughter Rhonda Ross, a singer-songwriter with a beautiful voice. The pair played a pretty duet, Count On Me, from Diana's upcoming new album, which Rhonda had written for her mum.

Elsewhere, Amazing Grace was exceptional - and truly moving. An anti-slavery song as poignant now in the dark days of 2025 as it was in the 1700s. It showcased not only Diana’s still-pitch-perfect voice, but also the talent of the orchestra on stage. And that orchester just so happened to be Manchester’s own Halle Orchestra. It was a lovely touch to use local musicians, and not lost on the Mancunian crowd. “We wanted to bring you something special,” Diana said. 

After a third outfit change, this time to a disco-bal-like silver jumpsuit, Diana danced her way through Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, then I Will Survive, before ending the show with Thank You, signing autographs and collecting a bunch of flowers as her adoring crowd surged forward. 

At 81 there’s no way Diana Ross needs to carry on performing. But good gracious we are so lucky that she chooses to do so. A phenomenal talent with one of the best back catalogues there is - and one of the most iconic voices of all time to boot. It was a joy and a privilege to see her on stage.