Gabrielle A True Icon

It is 32 years since Gabrielle hit the top of the UK singles chart with her debut single, Dreams. Yet somehow she has never been on a headline arena tour. Now, 32 years after that early accolade, she is finally undertaking that next challenge. Having more than proved her power on a multitude of stages the world over, it is little surprise that fans young and old are crowding into the BP Pulse Arena, some excited to see her for the first time and others thrilled to add another live Gabrielle experience to their belts. However, with the news that Gabrielle had had to cancel her show the night previous due to an illness, there is a nervous anticipation in the air that a similar fate may lie ahead.

Thankfully the always calm and collected Tunde Baiyewu is on hand to cool nerves and warm up Gabrielle's audience. Working his way through a series of Lighthouse Family material and his own solo back catalogue, he is in as fine a voice as ever. While there is no denying that it is the sing-along value of the Lighthouse Family super hits that create the most prized moments, the Lighthouse Family, leaning on his forthcoming single Rain Into A Rainbow, showed that there may be big hits to come from him later this year.

After a short break Gabrielle takes centre stage with When A Woman; it is clear that despite her illness, Gabrielle is here to enjoy the evening and is in fine voice. While she does make note throughout the evening of her illness and the doctor's advice not to perform, it is truly humbling to see how a performer of her calibre is able to still deliver a faultless set that sees her as moved to be there as the songs she delivers have managed to touch her audience of all ages.

With an awareness that these songs have taken on new meaning and new life for her audience, she offers the occasional insight into her own story and how they have shaped her writing, without ever letting life's trials and tribulations turn the event into a heavy or sombre affair. This is a joyous sing-along celebration from start to finish.

Although there are obvious fan favourite moments – Sunshine, Rise, Dreams – it is the magical Give Me A Little More Time, thought-provoking Always and the truly touching Ten Years Time that makes it clear that this is an audience who is here for every chapter of Gabrielle's career, as opposed to just the killer hits. Equally impressive is the stunning rendition of Walk On By, which is reworked for the show and really hits the heart.

Gabrielle may have ignored the doctor's advice, but it was clear that she enjoyed every moment as much as her loving, loyal audience. A true icon of the British industry has not lost any of her sparkle.

Gabrielle's Tour
Apr 8 Connexin Live, Hull
Apr 9 Sheffield, City Hall
Apr 12 Manchester AO Arena