LOS ANGELES, CA- To say I was excited to see Diana Ross at the Hollywood Bowl on July 25th would be an understatement. The moment I bought my ticket, I knew this wouldn’t be just another concert. This was a chance to witness a living legend bring her story, her voice, and her legacy to life under the stars at one of the most iconic venues in the country. No opener. No fluff. Just Diana.
The show was part of her “Celebrating Timeless Classics – 2025 Tour,” and that title alone helped frame what we were about to experience. This wasn’t a greatest hits concert in the traditional sense. It was something broader. More reflective. It felt like a love letter to music itself—her music, yes, but also the songs that shaped her, inspired her, or held personal meaning.
Before she even took the stage, a video montage traced her journey from Motown trailblazer to solo superstar to fashion icon and film actress. That set the tone. This night was going to be about legacy, not just nostalgia. And then she appeared, radiant in sequins, and opened with “I’m Coming Out,” arguably her most recognizable anthem. It hit like a tidal wave. The crowd rose instantly, singing and dancing as if the show had already reached its climax. In any other concert, this would be the finale. Here, it was just the beginning.
That choice said a lot. Leading with a song that could easily close the show set a celebratory tone. Though part of me wondered if she played her ace too early, it also showed she wasn’t interested in building up slowly. Diana Ross was inviting us to the party from the jump.
She followed with a joyful cover of Spiral Starecase’s “More Today Than Yesterday,” a staple in her recent live shows. It’s not a song she recorded in the studio, but one she’s clearly embraced. From there, she dove into a Supremes medley that included “Baby Love,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Come See About Me,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” These songs landed like warm memories. I looked around and saw generations of fans mouthing every word, swaying with arms around each other, taking in music that’s defined not just an artist but entire chapters of their lives.
She kept moving through her catalog, touching on “Touch Me in the Morning,” “Chain Reaction,” “Voice of the Heart,” and the crowd-favorite “Love Hangover.” Her rendition of “He Lives in You,” originally from The Lion King II and later adopted into her 1999 album Every Day Is a New Day, felt deeply spiritual. So did her haunting performance of “Don’t Explain,” the Billie Holiday classic she sang in the 1972 biopic Lady Sings the Blues. These weren’t just selections—they were statements. Each song, whether hers originally or not, felt like it held weight in her life.
At 81, her voice still carried remarkable grace. There’s no doubt some background vocals supported the performance, but there was enough of Diana in every phrase to make each song feel authentic. It wasn’t just about technical perfection, it was about presence. She moved with poise, engaged with warmth, and changed outfits multiple times with the kind of ease only true divas possess. Every gesture reminded us that we weren’t just watching a singer. We were watching a master performer.
About two-thirds of the way through, she stepped aside for a costume change and introduced her daughter, Rhonda Ross, who performed a short medley of her own songs: “Someday,” “Driving Me Away,” “Back to Love,” and “Maybe I’ll Fly.” Rhonda’s set was heartfelt, and her voice strong. She’s also contributed as a co-writer to Diana’s recent work, so there was a nice throughline in that handoff. While the energy dipped slightly during this interlude—understandable when the crowd came hungry for Diana—it felt like a personal moment, a family moment, shared with tens of thousands of us.
When Diana returned, she brought back the heat. She delivered “The Boss,” a solo version of “Endless Love,” and “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” which turned the venue into a glowing sea of linked hands and swaying bodies. Then came “Amazing Grace,” a powerful spiritual offering that silenced the crowd into reverent stillness.
“Upside Down” got everyone moving again, and at that point, the Bowl felt alive with joy. She followed with “If We Hold on Together,” “Tomorrow,” and “Count on Me,” the last of which she sang with Rhonda in a sweet mother-daughter duet.
In the home stretch, she rolled through “Just in Case,” “If the World Just Danced,” and “Why Do Fools Fall in Love.” When she launched into the Mahogany theme “Do You Know Where You’re Going To,” the audience practically melted. And of course, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” brought the house down. It was classic Diana Ross. Triumphant, emotional and bold.
But then, unexpectedly, she closed with “I Will Survive.” And here’s where I wrestled with my feelings. The performance itself? Flawless. The crowd was all in. It was a celebration, a big, bold, disco-fueled finale that left people screaming and dancing in the aisles. But I couldn’t help but wish she had ended with one of her own songs. Something undeniably hers. “I Will Survive” belongs to Gloria Gaynor. Diana sang the hell out of it, sure, but with a repertoire as rich and legendary as hers, there are so many other songs that could’ve carried the closing spotlight. “I’m Coming Out,” for one. “The Boss.” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Even songs that were not part of the setlist like “Remember Me,” “It’s My Turn,” “Not Over You Yet,” “Once in a Lifetime” would’ve made a poignant, full-circle statement.
Then again, maybe that’s the point. When a tour is called Celebrating Timeless Classics, the setlist isn’t about checking boxes or hitting chart positions or even performing your own hits. It’s about honoring the music that endures. And for Diana Ross, that may include not only the songs that made her a star, but also those that continue to speak to her soul. For an artist with such a sprawling discography, what counts as “timeless” really depends on perspective. Every fan could name a different dream setlist. But the one Diana delivered? That was hers.
And what a gift it was to receive it. To hear that voice live. To witness the gowns, the elegance, the command she still holds over a stage. This wasn’t just a night of music. It was a night of gratitude. Of history. Of timelessness, defined on her terms.
Even with my small setlist wishes, I left the Hollywood Bowl feeling completely fulfilled. Diana Ross didn’t just show up. She reminded us all why she’s still one of the most celebrated, influential artists to ever do it. And if the music she chose to share tells us anything, it’s that she still sings for love, for joy, and for the sheer thrill of survival.
Follow Diana Ross on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
*********************
LIVE CLIPS
