Review: Jane McDonald at First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds

In front of a home crowd of family, friends and thousands of adoring fans, the lass from Wakefield delivered two hours of pure joy. She has never forgotten her roots and champions her home city at every opportunity.

I was at school with Jane, although we moved in different circles. I followed her career from a distance and, like millions of others, watched her first television success with The Cruise, which first aired on the BBC in 1998. As a rock fan, I’d always assumed her style of music wasn’t for me, so until now I’d never seen her perform live.

Why did I leave it so long?

I was blown away from the moment she walked on stage, greeting the audience like old friends. Her warmth and humour immediately shone through.

The applause was rapturous. Jane is so down to earth that she has an instant, genuine connection with her fans.

Her self-deprecating humour makes her even more approachable, and she gives the impression she can hardly believe she’s standing in front of yet another sell-out crowd.

She has worked incredibly hard to get where she is, slogging away for years on the northern club circuit at night while working full-time during the day. She deserves every bit of her success.

Jane is now truly Living the Dream, the title of her 11th studio album and tour.

Recorded at Nashville’s famous Blackbird Studios, the album combines country-style songs with some of the classic tracks she has performed for years, given a fresh makeover.

Her band, many of whom have been with her for decades, alongside some making their first appearance, were slick, professional and clearly enjoying the occasion as much as the audience.

Dressed in a tasselled cowgirl outfit, Jane opened with the album’s title track, Living the Dream. It was a fine start to a show that just got better.

Her own material, collaborations and medleys were all given the unmistakable Jane McDonald treatment. A Dolly Parton section featuring I Will Always Love You, Jolene, 9 to 5 and Islands in the Stream, performed as a duet with Jim Pitchforth, was a particular highlight.

The disco medley that closed the show had everyone dancing - even me.

There was also a deeply poignant moment as Jane spoke about loving and losing before performing How Do I Move On and Beautiful Soul, written following the death of her fiancé, Eddie Rothe, in 2021. This built to a stunning, full-power ballad rendition of All By Myself.

Visibly moved by the standing ovation, Jane wiped away a tear and took a moment before continuing.

Afterwards, she wrote on Facebook: “I’m really sad that the tour is over to be honest. I’ve loved every second of this tour, but Leeds, wow, what a night to go out on.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart to everybody who came to any of the shows.”