Opening an all-star Detroit concert with none other than Miss Diana Ross set the bar high from the get-go. Draped in orange chiffon, she sang I’m Coming Out, kicking off Live From Detroit: The Concert at the newly revived Michigan Central train station.
Diana Ross Sets A High Bar
The queen of Motown not only represents Detroit’s glorious past but also brings some of its unforgettable music history to life. She performed classics like Upside Down and her legendary duet Ain’t No Mountain High Enough with Marvin Gaye, leaving the crowd enthralled.
The Michigan Central station has always held a special place in every Detroiter’s heart—a place where many stories began. Decades ago, Ford Motor Company decided to save this Beaux-Arts relic, transforming it into an innovation hub that now hosts events like this.
A Spectacle of Genres
The concert proved to be a tapestry of Detroit’s musical legacy—Motown, rock, hip-hop, techno, garage, punk, gospel, jazz—all represented by top artists. We wanted to celebrate the reopening of Michigan Central Station in style and make it a night to remember for Detroiters and people watching around the world.
said Bill Ford.
Big Sean Delivers Emotional Performance
Big Sean, who performed at the 2018 groundbreaking ceremony for the station’s restoration, returned with renewed energy. His set included his 2024 track On Up, a song about his son, along with hits like Blessings and Bounce Back.
A Bob Seger Tribute
This was followed by a tribute to local hero Bob Seger featuring Melissa Etheridge, Fantasia, and Jelly Roll. Etheridge’s smoky alto shone on Mainstreet, while Fantasia brought a Tina Turner-like energy to Shakedown. They concluded with a collaborative version of Old Time Rock and Roll.
A Heartfelt Tribute to J Dilla
Veteran rapper Common appeared with Slum Village to pay homage to J Dilla—a segment introduced by Dilla’s mother, Maureen ‘Ma Dukes’ Yancey. Their emotional performance resonated deeply with fans and collaborators alike.
Eminem and Detroit Symphony Orchestra Close the Show
The finale was nothing short of spectacular as Eminem took the stage unannounced to deliver an intense performance accompanied by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He performed hits like Houdini
, featuring Jelly Roll, and closed with Not Afraid
. As he put it at the end: Detroit, we up.
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