International Diana Ross Website

                                                                          I Love You-Europe 2007- Diana spectacular!

Diana Ross - USA -Tour 2007

I must say when I realised Diana was going to do quite a few concerts in the US before the European leg of the I Love You tour, I was worried. I kind of panicked that She wouldn’t be in good voice after so many concerts in the US. Oh my! How wrong was I. The reviews on both sides of the Atlantic proved that. In all I saw Miss Ross 4 times! I am not going to write much about the setlists because others have done this, I would like to write about my feelings and observations.



London

My tour started at Wembley, London on 09.05.07, I went with my friend Patrick who is a casual Diana fan but he so got into it that he was filming clips on his phone and excitedly texting his friends. He then bought the ILY album the next day! I finally met Andreas and Carolin at Wembley, up to that point I had been chatting with Andreas for about a year so it was cool to finally meet him in person. Luckily we sat next to each other in the second row. Andreas, Carolin and I danced to most of the songs throughout the concert! For me one of the highlights of any DR concert is when the band starts to tease us at the beginning and Diana’s voice comes up and after about 5 minutes She suddenly appears with the lights on her! I can’t explain the feeling; I always look around to watch the other fans just to check out their expressions! Totally amazing! The setlist was basically the same at all the European concerts apart from a couple of songs here and there. Starting off with I’m Coming Out and then going into the Supremes songs and then continuing with fabulous up-tempo songs such as The Boss, Love Hangover and then going slow with Touch Me In The Morning and What About Love, was so unbelievable! The major highlight at all the concerts was the Lady Sings The Blues segment, which all the reviewers picked up on. When the concert ended after 1.45 hours with I Will Survive, I so wanted more, so did the other fans I bet! After the concert we hung outside waiting for Miss Ross to head off but she was delayed inside because she had guests. I also saw Carol, Tina & Ian again after I met them for the first time in 2005 in Liverpool when Diana performed there for 2 sold-out nights. I met Graham for the first time although I felt that I knew him quite well because of the Diana yahoo groups. Brian was another fan I met for the first time, he is such a sweetie and I feel we will be friends! I said goodbye to Andreas and Carolin at about 11.30pm, as I had to catch an early flight to Dublin the next day to continue my tour!!



Dublin
I rushed to Dublin on 10.05.07; I decided to have an extra day seeing the city before Diana’s concert on the 11th. I was also hoping to head out with Andreas but he didn’t arrive until very late that night!! The weather was appalling too!

Anyway come concert day, I met up with Andreas and Carolin for coffee then picked up my friend Ben who arrived that afternoon. Later that afternoon I went to The Point Theatre and met up with Andreas and Carolin again, we had a fab time, we saw the band arrive. It was just nice hanging out even though it was cold.

Come concert time we arrived at the venue and said hello to Bernard and his friend Terry, neither of whom I had met before. Bernard seemed very cool, just like I thought he would be from all his writing on Jim’s group! Dublin was a totally sold-out concert (8,000) and there was an extra buzz in the air, there were so many young women there having a great Friday night out, they danced so hard and screamed down the venue! To me it was so different to Wembley. Diana gave something different here which I never expected, the security had been so tight all night, they kept stopping fans from standing up or even taking pictures or handing her flowers, etc. At the end though, we were allowed to come right to the stage, which didn’t happen at Wembley! OMG! I was right there with my camera where I was able to get super-close photos and footage, just amazing. Although the setlist was the similar to Wembley, she did Best Years for a fan who had been asking for it all night, she also did Endless Love, which she didn’t sing at Wembley. She even said this concert is ending up being the longest so far. She was feeding off the audience and didn’t want to leave.

The concert ended just before 10pm, some of us- Andreas, Carolin, Andrew (he danced all night at the concert, he looked familiar but wasn’t sure where I had seen him before, he then reminded me it was at Diana’s concert at Blenheim Palace in 2005, he is a special guy and I like him a lot), Brian, Katherine (Brian’s friend) Ben and I went for dinner. Brian held court at dinner, he cracked us up with his stories, I laughed so much then and afterwards when I remembered what he said, he has a good spirit. We then headed to the Temple Bar area; we ended up at the VAT House pub. It was so much fun, Carolin requested a Diana Ross song from the DJ, who played I’m Coming Out at the end of the night. We all then walked slowly towards our various hotels chatting away.

For me the other best thing (apart from Miss Ross on stage) about this tour was actually hanging out with the fans and putting a face to so many names I have seen on the groups, Dublin was special.

We flew back the very next day to get ready for the next leg of the tour, Brussels and Paris the following weekend, pity I missed Rotterdam, which I knew would be awesome!

Brussels & Paris

I arrived in rainy Brussels on the concert day (20th May) and met up with Andreas and Carolin again, we were at the same hotel. On the way to Forest National we saw many posters around the city promoting the concert. After a struggle finding the venue (Carolin was driving-lol!) that afternoon, we saw Miss Ross’s bus arrive just before 5pm, we also met other fans Patrick Iben and Dennis with his fab DR T-shirt! Patrick had some wonderful showbiz stories. We left and arrived back for the concert before the 8.30pm start and said hello to Bernard and his friend Terry. What can I say about the concert but once again Diana was on fire and so were the crazy fans, I looked around and was impressed that there were so many young fans. The setlist was of course similar to the other concerts but the extra unexpected song was Missing You, before she sang it she talked about Marvin Gaye being in the audience when She performed at the Forest National in the 80s and that he was on stage with her. They used a clip for the video; she was also in the moment because she then talked about her brother T-Boy and what happened to him. She said we should be careful with drugs; it was good to hear her talk like that as she is a very private person. She wasn’t sure She would have the strength to sing Missing You but she did it is was one of the highlights of the night, at this point those of us seating in front were at the stage edge, this was the second time they had allowed fans to come forward after Dublin, fabulous! Andreas, Carolin and I left for our hotel and on the way I heard a few young guys who were at the concert singing some of the songs, it was nice to see how her music cuts across all ages. Close to our hotel in the city centre we met up with Bernard and Terry, we had drinks and a nice chat. Bernard put the waiter in his place (lol!)

After a late night, Andreas, Carolin and I headed for Paris the next morning for that night’s concert at Palais De Sports but first Carolin and I had a walk around Brussels and took in some sights.



We arrived in Paris before 2pm. When we arrived, Michael and Maurizio-friends of Andreas & Carolin were arriving at the same time so we went to the Porte de Versailles area where we had hotels and the concert was happening. After checking into our hotels we went to the venue and they had huge posters around the entrance, which could be seen from the road, it was beautiful to see. Although we didn’t see Diana arrive, we heard the sound check around 4.30pm; she certainly does a lot of work before the concert and doesn’t just arrive just before a concert like some may believe.

I arrived at the venue just before 8pm, Andreas & Carolin were already there, and also Dennis who I met for the first time in Brussels was there in another DR t-shirt. It was nice looking around and seeing so many beautiful people, a few French celebrities were in attendance too. The concert, which was sold-out, started promptly at 8.30pm.

I was expecting Diana to come out wearing the same red dress to open the show but of course she had to surprise us on the last show, she hit the stage in that amazing Bob Mackie yellow ball gown! The whole Arena went mad and were on their feet to dance and sing along to I’m coming Out! The other difference here was she didn’t do ILY before I Will Survive but she included I Cried For You into the extended LSTB segment. The concert was about 1.45hours long. She was really good to the band and introduced them several times, during LSTB, Touch Me In The Morning, etc. Once again in Paris, the fans came to the stage edge at the end when she sang I Will Survive and she thanked us for coming. The best night of my tour for sure (top 2)!

We had drinks with Michael and Maurizio in a bar overlooking the venue, Maurizio is so funny! OMG!

Even though the tour was over I happily left for home the next day because one abiding thought was the fact that no matter what detractors say about Diana Ross, nothing can take away the fact that she has brought so many people together and lasting friendships have been formed which can only be a good thing.

Here is to the next tour!!

Steve (London)

Diana Ross at the London Wembley Arena  09 . 05 . 2007

Diva Diana wows crowds at Wembley with soul classics


Original soul diva Diana Ross demonstrated her Supreme star quality this week as she took to the stage at Wembley Arena. The glamorous star, currently on the European leg of her I Love You tour, dazzled crowds with her vocal skills and a wardrobe of dramatic gowns, which included a figure-hugging number in sizzling scarlet.


Backed by a seven-piece band the stunning 63-year-old kicked off the show with a succession of hits spanning three decades - including classics Baby Love, I'm Coming Out and Chain Reaction - before going on to perform tracks from her new album, I Love You.

And, in true diva style, the Sixties Motown legend - who toured the US after appearing on Amertican Idol at the start of the year - made four costume changes during her 80-minute set, switching between a colourful succession high octane ensembles.

The concert concluded with a powerful performance of I Will Survive - but not before Diana had asked the crowd to sit down so she could tell them exactly what she thought of them. "I love every single last one of you," she said.

a fan review : Steve

I just got back from Wembley. it was a GREAT night! For me the highlights were 'What about love' which she performed flawlessly seating on a stool, plus Fine and Mellow / Don't Explain. Her body was to live for! Pictures do not do her justice, that's for sure. The setlist was basically the same as the othe UK shows apart from the fact that she did Endless Love, not sure she has done it anywhere else on ths tour.

It was nice to see Carol, Ian & Tina, I met Andreas, Carolin & Graham for the first time. Andreas, Carolin & I sat on the second row of the front block (right had side), they were very good seats apart from the first 10 minutes when we had the media in front of us, all in all we can't complain.

She did plug the ILY album and spoke about it for a while, she then introduced Fred and Valerie and said Fred wrote the title track. She mentioned dianaross.com. She acknowledged some of the fans in front who she has seen at several venues over the years.

So excited but got to sleep as off to Dublin in the morning.
It was interesting to see the ILY album on sale at Wembley, not sure if this was the case at other venues, they also had the usual stuff like t-shirts and shopping bag, etc.

The Point Dublin 11. 05. 2007

First lady of soul reasserts her Sixties supremacy  (Monday May 14th 2007)

SWEEPING from the wings in a lurid pink ballgown and chiffon wrap, Diana Ross reminds us that, after five decades in the game, she knows how to make an entrance. Legs hidden beneath billows of skirt, Ross floats across the stage like a day-glo Dalek, shoulder-length perm bouncing in her wake. She's barely warbled a note yet already the audience has tumbled into a gleeful swoon.

Not everyone, you suspect, is cheering Ross for the same reason. To some, she's an ironic pin-up, the ultimate cheesy icon. Many, however, are utterly earnest in their admiration. For these people, Ross is anything but a hokey punchline. She's the original soul sister, a survivor who has endured 40 years of music industry vicissitudes, not to mention the friendship of Michael Jackson.

Which fanbase is Ross playing to this evening? It's hard to say. Unquestionably, she's happy to ham it up. Arms aloft, she starts by belting out 'I'm Coming Out', arguably the only song that has failed to achieve the status of gay anthem on account of being too over the top.

Yet there's nothing tongue-in-cheek about her medley of Supremes hits. Nobody, after all, could dispute the soulful punch of 'Stop! In The Name of Love' or 'Baby Love'. Sadly, her post-Supremes material has not weathered so well. These days, 'Chain Reaction' feels plastic and hokey, no matter that Ross delivers it with fervour. She serves her voice better tackling Billy Holiday classics 'Fine and Mellow' and 'Don't Explain'.

Singing in a dusky croon, Ross shows that, before becoming a kitsch bauble, she was the first lady of soul. Tonight she reclaims her crown.
ED POWER

Ahoy Rotterdam 19. 05. 2007

Forest National / Vorst Nationaal 20. 05. 2007

SETLIST :

• Take Me Higher (intro)
• I'm Coming Out
• Chain Reaction
• My World Is Empty
• Where Did Our Love Go
• Baby Love
• Stop In The Name Of Love
• You Can't Hurry Love
• Touch Me In The Morning
• Love Hangover
• The Boss
• It's My House 1
• Love Child
• What About Love
• I'm Still Waiting
• Upside Down
• Ease On Down The Road
• Fine and Mellow
• Don't Explain
• Why Do Fools Fall In Love
   
• ENCORE 1 :
• Endless Love
• Do You Know Where You Going To
• Ain't Know Mountain High Enough
• I Will Survive
• ENCORE 2 :
• Missing You, dedicated to Marvin Gaye
• I Love You
• I Will Survive (reprise)
  
   

Palais des Sports - Paris 21. 05. 2007

Miss Ross saved the best for last! Only kiddingI saw her at Wembley, The Point, Brussels also and enjoyed them all but OMG Paris!! The audience were so beautiful and on their feet most of the way through.

She changed the setlist slightly and added I Cried For You but didn't do ILY. She surprised us by opening the show in that AMAZING Bob Mackie yellow ball gown that so many fans want to see closeup! The show was technically soldout, the ticket office did very good business on the day. We went there hoping to get better tickets but no joy. They had a few (definitely under 50 available) to sell on the day. There were so many fans in their early 20s there singing along to all the songs.Diana certainly reaaches all demographics.

Brussels the night before was just as spectacular, although the venue wasn't soldout (3/4 gone, maybe about 5-6 thousand there) it appreared full apart from seats at the sides high up in the tiers. Those fans were MAD! They were up all through the show and came from the back to get close to the stage. Once again another surprise which was MISSING YOU, I would have paid money just for that because of what she said before singing it. She spoke from the heart. Both audiences show her so much love she was so overwhelmed. At both these concerts the fans were allowed to come to the edge of the stage towards the end of the concert.

Andreas and Carolin were lucky enough to get another moment with Miss Ross, Carolin was able to sing I Will Survive, Diana was passing the mic round to people at the stage edge.
Andreas shook her hand!


To the next tour!!! I can't wait.

Steve

The Setlist for the PARIS

I'm coming out - My world is empty ... - Where did our love go - Baby love - Stop in the...
You can't hurry... - Touch me in... - Love Hangover - The Boss - It's my house
Love child - What about love - More today than yesterday - Upside down
Ease on down.. - Fine & Mellow - Don't explain - I cried for you - Why do fools
Endless Love - Do you know.. - Ain't no mountain - I will survive