“I’m 73, what’s your grandma doing tonight?” a beaming Cher bellowed to the O2 Arena last night, moments after a career-spanning montage reminded the audience of her extraordinary 50 years in showbusiness.
With multiple costume changes and a fearsome energy many younger performers would struggle to match, Cher commanded the sold-out audience throughout with a breathless, hit-filled set. Her candid political views emerged early on too after she termed Donald Trump an “asshole”, before adding to loud cheers: “Boris isn’t much better.”
Cher’s status as a feminist icon was celebrated during fierce openers Woman’s World and Strong Enough, her voice sounding as miraculous as ever. Able to simultaneously convey anger, pain and vulnerability across a single bar, the strength, depth and range of her powerful vocals repeatedly impressed.
A section dedicated to Cher’s film career took the audience through a medley of tracks, first from her recent appearance in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. After covers of Abba’s SOS, Fernando and Waterloo, came The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss) and Welcome To Burlesque.
Across almost two hours of hits, camp costume changes and elaborate stage transformations, Cher transcended eras and styles. One of the most emotive moments of the evening came during I’ve Got You Babe when her late partner Sonny Bono was projected onto the big screen, Cher singing in tandem with video footage of Sonny from the Sixties.
Later highlights included the stage turning into a giant destroyer as Cher recreated her famous If I Could Turn Back Time video and then a futuristic dancefloor for vibrant closer Believe.
The first night of Cher’s Here We Go Again tour was a joyous celebration of an iconic musician who has stood the test of time — and one who continues to inspire.
