The Queens Tour delivered an electrifying performance at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, Sept. 28, serving as a powerful kickoff to the final week of its highly anticipated cross-country run. The city’s audience, known for its discerning taste, showed up in force, creating an atmosphere of palpable energy and reverence for the four legends of R&B and soul who took the stage.
The evening was a masterclass in vocal prowess, style, ageless beauty, nostalgia, and sisterhood, drawing an appreciative intergenerational audience. The queens appeared in this order: Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, and Chaka Khan.
A Night of Legendary Performances
Gladys Knight stepped onto the stage first. The 82-year-old beauty, dressed in a sharp light grey pantsuit, took the audience on a trip down memory lane, showcasing highlights of her legendary six-decade career. She delivered powerful renditions of hits like “Love Overboard” and “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” before closing her masterful set with the classic “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Next, Stephanie Mills lit up the stage with her fiery energy and top-notch vocals. The diva wore a striking black sequined wide-leg fit, complemented by her band’s matching red sequined blazers. The 68-year-old songstress commanded the stage with fan favorites, including “I’ve Learned to Respect the Power of Love.” Mills then delivered a soul-stirring version of “Home,” the signature ballad from The Wiz that catapulted her into stardom, for her finale. The audience erupted in applause for a genuinely touching moment when she brought out her son, Farad, to share the stage.
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Patti LaBelle followed, stepping out in a dazzling chartreuse suit, serving church mother. She opened with “New Attitude” before characteristically kicking off her silver heels and wowing the audience with hits such as “Love, Need and Want You,” “The Right Kinda Lover,” and “My Love, Sweet Love.” The legend briefly exited, allowing her band to take the spotlight with an instrumental of Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk,” as the crowd happily sang along.
Her background singer, Debbie Henry, who has toured with the songstress for 45 years, brought the house down with a soul-stirring alto rendition of “You Are My Friend.” Patti then joined in, dedicating the memoriam to departed artists like Prince, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson, whose images filled the screen behind her. She closed with a high-energy “Lady Marmalade,” proving once again why she is a living legend.
Closing the evening was the Queen of Funk herself, Chaka Khan. Looking phenomenal in her signature voluminous red tresses, Chaka radiated in a sheer, lacy black outfit with chain belts, getting the arena on its feet with “Do You Love What You Feel,” where she showcased her stellar vocal acrobatics. She kept the energy high with “This Is My Night,” showcasing the impeccable harmonies of her background singers. She ended her set with the timeless anthem “I’m Every Woman,” followed by the audience-favorite “Ain’t Nobody,” which sent the entire crowd dancing and singing their way out of the arena.
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The Lasting Reign of Soul
This wasn’t just a concert; it was a masterclass in staying power.
The Queens Tour served as a reminder that genuine artistry is eternal. Watching the smooth, elegant command of Gladys Knight, the soulful honesty of Stephanie Mills, the untamed power of Patti LaBelle, and the pure funk of Chaka Khan, the Detroit audience was witnessing timeless talent.
As the tour prepares to wrap up its final run on Oct. 5 in Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit’s resounding applause made it clear that their music, rich with soul and fire, remains an essential soundtrack for generations past and future.
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