Diana Ross & Jack Savoretti – Lytham Festival – A Review

What a night to remember! Freak Summer weather, torrential rain, high winds, rainbows, and the fabulous female icon of soul, Diana Ross.

Fortunately, the weather, dud traffic lights, and long queues into Lytham, didn’t deter the thousands of fans who made the journey to see their idol. Encased in unseasonal waterproofs, the crowd were immediately rewarded with the songs they knew so well.

Diana switched the soul machine on with a rousing rendition of ‘My World Is Empty Without You’ , and immediately the mixed age audience were dancing, and singing along. It set the pattern for the gig as older fans were whisked back to the days of their youth with classic hits, ‘Baby Love,’ ‘Chain Reaction’, ‘ Upside Down’, ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’, ‘Love Child’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,’ ‘The Boss,’ and the rest. 

Later the soul superstar performed new material from her forthcoming album, much delayed by COVID, to the delight of some fans, and to the indifference of others,  who were expecting to hear each and every hit from down the years. There were grumbles too about the quality of her golden voice, which is obviously not as it once was. What can anyone expect? This legendary performer is now 78 years old, and who knows whether this might be her final tour?

Let’s face it, the vast majority of concert goers embraced Diana and a great night was had by almost all!

Praise now for Jack Savoretti, little known to me, but a star in his own right. The handsome singer, who opened for Diana,  turned in a dazzling performance, with a faultless voice and outstanding musical skills. The audience went wild for his Italian/English version of ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’, and he achieved the impossible giving a stormy night an unexpected Mediterranean feel.

But his stand-out song came via one of his chart hits ‘Dancing Through The Rain’.  Summed this very special night up well!