‘A LIVING LEGEND’ : DIANA ROSS TAKES HER GREATEST HITS TO LIVERPOOL

LIVE REVIEW | DIANA ROSS, M&S BANK ARENA, LIVERPOOL – 30/06/2025 By Keira Knox

There are few names more iconic than that of Diana Ross, and for good reason: she revolutionised the role of women in the industry during her time with The Supremes and then dominated the 80s music landscape. As the sun set over the banks of the river Mersey, Monday night saw the legendary performer bring the house down at the M&S Bank Arena with a set list that included Motown classics, iconic pop songs, and, of course, outstanding vocals.

Two sets of Diana Ross’s career-spanning hits would be performed over an incredible evening of glitz, stunning graphics, and breath-taking couture. Commencing with a film collage showcasing her extensive career spanning decades, encompassing everything from Motown to the current day. As the opening footage came to a close, the lights went down and the 65-piece Hallé Orchestra burst into action, playing an instrumental medley of her greatest hits. A grand opening deserved of a legend.

For a star of her calibre, it felt a little disheartening to see the top sections of the arena closed off and empty seats dotted about. At 81 years old, a living legend deserves a packed out audience. Nevertheless, Ms Ross put on a show that defied expectations. As the famed singer strode onto the stage and began singing the opening lines to ‘I’m Coming Out’, the audience immediately rose to their feet in applause. Going all out, the 81-year-old staged her performance in an orange sequined gown, ruffled cape, and co-ordinating fan.

The Motown legend immediately followed up with her 2006 hit, ‘More Today Than Yesterday’ which had the audience captivated. After the raucous reception to the first chords of ‘Baby Love’ in Liverpool, Ross took the crowd all the way back to the beginning. A medley of songs by The Supremes that includes ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’, ‘Come See About Me,’ and ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ was performed.

“This one is an audience participation, do you know it?” Diana Ross enquired to the audience before delving into her 1971 single ‘I’m Still Waiting,’ which was also her first UK number one. Her vocal delivery left a lasting impression. The soul singer sounded as good as she did when the track was first released. The performance was so natural, it held the audience’s attention throughout. Audience members danced to every beat, the music and passion running through their veins

After Diana Ross slowed things down, her second UK number one hit ‘Chain Reaction’ quickly had audience members up and grooving again. As soon as the singer removed her ruffled cape, the crowd went wild, and they could see her glittering sequined outfit under the dazzling stage lights. An undeniable fan favourite, if she hadn’t already won this crowd over, she most certainly had now.

A gorgeous rendition of ‘He Lives in You’ by Lebo M came next, the singer proceeded to ‘Don’t Explain’, introducing herself as performing “a song from my movie Lady Sings the Blues.” In Ross’s acting career, this soundtrack was just the beginning. She gave a stunning performance of ‘Home’ and ‘Ease on Down the Road,’ two songs from the 1978 musical The Wiz’s soundtrack. After that came ‘Endless Love’, a ballad she wrote with Lionel Richie that served as the soundtrack of the 1981 film of the same name.

In a hilarious turn of events, the Motown singer begged for assistance while performing one of her most famous songs. As Ms. Ross began to sing ‘Upside Down,’ an earring fell to the floor . Laughing into the microphone to ask for help and said: “I can’t bend down like that to pick that up. You know I’m 81, right?”. It was a moving moment when Diana Ross’s eldest daughter Rhonda Ross Kendrick joined her on stage. Mother and daughter sang ‘Count on Me’ while pictures of Ms. Ross’s eight grandchildren and five children adorned the stage.

‘I Will Survive’ and ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ were the last songs performed by the renowned vocalist as she concluded her incredible show. Diana Ross sang a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to the crowd during the evening’s last performance, with footage and photos from her career playing in the background. demonstrated once again why she is one of the most significant artists of her time and why her impact will be felt for generations to come during her two-hour performance, which sent the audience on a breath-taking journey down memory lane.