With leading New Zealand performers The Lady Killers, featuring national treasure Jackie Clarke, Tina Cross, and Suzanne Lynch and their phenomenal band, join us for the ultimate party showcase, filled to the brim with hit after hit.
Last night, the Bruce Mason Centre played host to DIVAS! – a dazzling concert by New Zealand's beloved trio, The Lady Killers. Consisting of vocal legends Tina Cross, Suzanne Lynch, and Jackie Clarke, the group delivered a powerhouse performance celebrating women in music. Clad in sparkling sequined dresses and backed by an adept four-piece band, the trio enchanted the audience from the moment they stepped on stage, welcomed by enthusiastic applause and cheering.
As the show began with Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams, the initial performance seemed a bit restrained as the trio eased into the night. But any hesitation quickly melted away with their rendition of Aretha Franklin's (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. The harmonies snapped into place, with Cross, Lynch, and Clarke’s voices blending seamlessly, resonating throughout the hall and sparking energy in the crowd. The trio’s powerful vocals ignited the evening, and their command of the stage only grew as they moved from one classic to the next.
The early highlights included Amy Winehouse’s Valerie and Dusty Springfield’s Son of a Preacher Man, where the audience began to tap into the vibe of the night, some even dancing in the aisles. As the hits continued, the trio’s infectious energy was mirrored by the audience, whose excitement intensified with each song. Tina, Suzanne, and Jackie gave standout solo performances on select tracks, each bringing her own unique style to the stage. Jackie Clarke’s rendition of Nina Simone’s Feeling Good was a particular crowd favourite, her warm, soulful voice captivating the room. Though some of the higher notes seemed restrained, her delivery was powerful and heartfelt, drawing enthusiastic applause.
Tina Cross delivered an emotionally charged performance of Lady Gaga’s Always Remember Us This Way, demonstrating her impressive vocal range as she navigated between high and low notes effortlessly. The number felt especially personal and showcased Cross's depth as a performer, her connection with the audience clearly visible. This new approach to solo songs added a personal touch, making the night feel like a celebration of the women behind the voices, as well as the music they were performing.
As the concert rolled into modern territory, the trio surprised the audience with a medley blending Pink’s What About Us, Sia’s Titanium, Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off, and Beyoncé's Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). The upbeat, dance-driven arrangement had the audience completely engaged. People were on their feet, dancing and singing along, and the atmosphere inside the Bruce Mason Centre became as vibrant as a pop concert. The Lady Killers’ expert harmonising and the band’s spot-on instrumentation brought new energy to these well-known hits, giving them a unique twist that kept the audience enthralled.
In a show filled with memorable moments, the medley of Bananarama’s Venus, The Yandall Sisters' Sweet Inspiration, and The Pointer Sisters' Jump stood out. This medley was where the audience fully abandoned their seats, with people clapping, swaying, and dancing to the infectious beats. With Van Halen's Jump closing this sequence, the whole venue felt like it was at a peak, the energy at an all-time high as everyone joined in the celebration.
When the time came to slow things down with Adele's Someone Like You, the trio showcased their versatility, handling the song’s emotional range beautifully. Their harmonies were rich and soothing, proving they could manage not just upbeat numbers but also tender ballads that tugged at the heartstrings. A medley of Fleetwood Mac favourites, including Dreams and Don’t Stop, took the audience into the interval on a high note. Tina Cross's commanding stage presence ensured a seamless flow in the concert’s energy, guiding the audience between exhilarating numbers and reflective, calmer moments.
During the interval, the positive energy was palpable. The trio had been hitting the right spots throughout the night; Jackie’s engaging humour and Kiwi charm, Tina’s dynamic energy, and Suzanne’s comforting presence complemented each other perfectly, creating a refreshing mix of personalities on stage. Their interactions with the crowd made everyone feel part of the experience, breaking down the usual performer-audience divide.
The second half of the show kicked off with an array of nostalgic classics. Starting with Dolly Parton favourites like Jolene and Islands in the Stream, the trio reminded the audience why these timeless songs are so beloved. The trio’s cover of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights and Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath My Wings brought a moment of hushed reverence, particularly during Suzanne Lynch’s solo on Wind Beneath My Wings. Her performance was deeply moving, and her voice conveyed a palpable sense of passion that had the audience mesmerised.
Then came a dynamic 90’s medley featuring Madonna’s Like A Prayer, Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head, Gloria Estefan’s Conga, and Jennifer Lopez’s Let’s Get Loud. The pace picked up once again, and this combination of lively hits made it clear that the audience wanted to dance the night away. The crowd was fully invested, singing along and even joining the trio for a bit of impromptu karaoke. By now, the Bruce Mason Centre had transformed from a concert hall into a lively dance floor, a rare feat in a seated venue.
The trio’s fusion of Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive with Destiny’s Child’s Survivor struck a chord with the audience, symbolising resilience and strength – themes that resonated throughout the show. Jackie, Tina, and Suzanne led the audience in a full-throated singalong, with the crowd’s excitement now boiling over into joyful abandon. Their cover of Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like A Woman! only fuelled the enthusiasm, with audience members nearly out-singing the trio in terms of volume, adding a unique sense of camaraderie to the night.
The final tracks included Janis Joplin’s Piece of My Heart and Tina Turner’s The Best, which brought the evening to a near crescendo, with the crowd belting out the lyrics as if they were all part of the band. Ending on Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody seemed a daring choice, but the trio and their band nailed the song’s operatic highs and rock-driven lows, creating a spectacular finale. Yet, the audience wasn’t ready to leave, demanding an encore with cheers and foot-stomping.
The Lady Killers graciously obliged, treating the crowd to Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On and a vibrant ABBA medley featuring Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, and Waterloo. The ABBA songs were the perfect way to close the show, with everyone on their feet, singing and dancing until the last note. As the final chords echoed through the venue, the trio took their bows to a standing ovation, leaving the audience elated and satisfied.
DIVAS! featuring The Lady Killers was a resounding success, celebrating the strength, versatility, and passion of women in music. From the expertly crafted setlist to the trio’s onstage chemistry, the concert was a joyous tribute to musical divas across genres and eras. It was an unforgettable night that left the audience inspired and eager for more, a true testament to the lasting power of music.
Setlist
1. "Sweet Dreams" by Annie Lennox (Eurythmics)
2. "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin
3. "Valerie" by Amy Winehouse
4. "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield
5. "Stop! In the Name of Love" by Diana Ross
6. "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone
7. "Always Remember Us This Way" by Lady Gaga
8. Modern Medley of "What About Us" by Pink, "Titanium" by Sia, "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift, and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyoncé
9. Medley of "Venus" by Bananarama, "Sweet Inspiration" by The Yandall Sisters, and "Jump" by The Pointer Sisters, ending with "Jump" by Van Halen
10. "Someone Like You" by Adele
11. Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) medley including "Dreams" and "Don’t Stop"
12. "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston
[Interval]
13. "Jolene" and "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly Parton
14. "Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush
15. "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler
16. 90's Medley of "Like A Prayer" by Madonna and "Can't Get You Out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue, Gloria Estefan's "Conga", and "Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer Lopez
17. Merging two "survival" tracks into one, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor and "Survivor" by Destiny's Child
18. "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" by Shania Twain
19. "Piece Of My Heart" by Janis Joplin
20. "The Best" by Tina Turner
21. "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
[Encore]
22. "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion
23. ABBA Medley with "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)", "Mamma Mia", "Dancing Queen" and "Waterloo"