Diana Ross came to Austin’s ACL Live at the Moody Theater for her Music Legacy 2024 Tour. We knew we couldn’t miss this show. Absolutely no way. To see an icon of this level, who is touring at 79, whose songs we grew up singing to (from Motown hits with The Supremes- the best charting female group in history, and her solo albums) we knew it would be nostalgic and memorable. We also knew there would be some great people watching.
The night kicked off with a long band intro before Diana stepped on stage in glorious fashion wearing a gorgeous long dress with train and her signature hair and glowing skin. She looked amazing. She walked miles on that stage all night and never missed a beat.
Kicking off strong with energetic hit “I’m Coming Out” – a song with so many important meanings; it was just hit after hit, nonstop with some epic Supremes hits and cover songs mixed in. With a huge catalog over six decades, it’s gotta be challenging to pen the set list. Then Ross sang a slew of Supremes’ songs- “Baby Love”, mega hit “Stop! in the Name of Love” (and had everyone following her hand gestures and choreography), “You Can’t Hurry Love”, and “Love Child”. The night truly was a big dance party and people rarely sat down.
Rolling in to “Take Me Higher” and “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” the party was in full swing. We knew it would be fun, we had no idea how funny she was (joking that she was only 47) and how kind, grateful, and joyful she was. She looked happy, youthful, and gracious. She often talked about love and joy during the evening. All the while, her voice was pristine and didn’t miss a beat. Ross has that natural beauty with stunning features, beautiful smile, and defies aging (we want her secrets). What an inspiration.
Wearing a stunning yellow/green (cerulean?) gown with matching feathery cape, she brought out a guest.”Count on Me” was a beautiful soft duet with her oldest daughter Rhonda Ross Kendrick. What a surprise to see her and hear this gorgeous song she had written for her mom. Rhonda continued solo for a few songs while Ms. Ross changed costumes again. There was a black wardrobe with a curtain right on stage that made quick changeovers possible.
At 79, with a birthday in March, she talked about turning 80, it was hard to believe it. She looked amazing and youthful and her voice was almost perfect and sounded like a singer half her age.
We loved the beautiful version of Billie Holiday’s “Don’t Explain” from “Lady Sings the Blues” that had us almost in tears. It was bluesy and soulful. A woman brought a gorgeous flower to her. Fans continued throughout the night to approach her with admiration and she spent so much time talking directly to people, autographing, and even bringing a fan on stage (whose dress was a bit tight so it was a struggle).
The soft and light “Do You Know Where You’re Going To” had the crowd once again singing with her. Epic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” was incredibly nostalgic as the entire crowd sang every word to her first U.S. #1 solo hit. She had changed into another gorgeous dress with a train- pink and glittery, short sleeved. She used a foldable fan throughout to cool. Known for her fashion, we were excited to see all the outfit changes. Next came memorable “Upside Down”.
“Reach Out and Touch” was gorgeous and had the crowd swaying and waving to ‘move the energy’ as Ross put it. The lyrics are so relevant today, invoked emotions to ‘make this world a better place, if you can’ as we can all relate to the stress we’re feeling in today’s world. She expressed how grateful she was for all the blessings in her life. You could feel her spirit and faith. Her songs have a way of uniting us in our shared humanity.
Then she performed a fun blend of “Love Hangover” “Take Me Higher” “Ease on Down the Road” -hit from musical The Wiz- was a fun high energy song that we had forgotten about and were thrilled to hear in her set.”If the World Just Danced” is a fun pop song that of course the entire crowd danced to.
The final chapter of the show had an epic cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” dance along, in her comfy final costume change of all black jogger and no heels, and a fan gave her a bright pink boa that gave the outfit a burst of color. Then came great band solos- sax, drums, guitar, and 2 singers- that rounded things out. So generous, Ross spent so much time engaging with fans all night- but especially now where she signed album after album. One fan told her he’d seen her 34 times!
For the encore she closed out the night with her song “Thank You” (title track of her 2021 album). It gave her the first Grammy nomination since 1983. She talked about writing it during Covid lockdown and how recording it virtually from a garage studio was a whole new thing. She cowrote it with her daughter Rhonda. She prefaced it with ‘this song is for you, please listen to the words, this is how I feel tonight and about all of you’. The feelings were mutual. We felt so much love and joy exuding from her. She was authentic and generous. It was an amazing and special show that we’re so grateful to experience and we’ll never forget.
Check out the show Set list.
