Beverley Knight performing on stage at a concert in Blackpool as part of her Born To Perform Tour. She stands centre stage wearing a black leather outfit with fishnet tights and heeled boots, holding a microphone. Behind her, a full band is visible, including keyboard, guitar, and drum players, beneath dramatic red stage lighting and a swagged curtain backdrop.

Beverley Knight owns the stage on her Born To Perform Tour.

I must have said it somewhere before: when I go to a gig, I like to hear the stories behind the songs or the recordings. It doesn’t matter if the setlist is simply a sequence of songs the artists thought would sound great, or if it’s a list where the songs become a story. Beverley Knight’s show at Blackpool Opera House tonight was very much the latter. I loved the energy of the evening, and judging by the audience, who were on their feet by the end, we weren’t alone.

The evening kicked off early. Around 5pm, we arrived at the Blackpool Opera House and were given a lanyard and a goodie bag. About thirty minutes later, a small group of us got to go into the theatre for the ‘soundcheck’—an extra experience you can add to your ticket. There were probably about forty of us. It wasn’t the actual soundcheck, but Beverley performed a couple of songs and answered questions from fans. People asked things like who she’d like to collaborate with, and someone even said hello who went to her school in Wolverhampton. It was great to hear some stripped-back songs and have a chat before we left for a drink and then came back for the main show.

The first half of the show was all about her journey in soul music. She opened with “Were You There” as a tribute to Sam Cooke, who has been a huge inspiration for her. That gave the start a real gospel vibe before she moved into her own story; singing in church, showing early talent in British soul, and going through the highs and lows of a long career. It was a great way to set the mood for the rest of the night.

Songs like “Flavour of the Old School,” “Made It Back,” and “Shoulda Woulda Coulda” tell the story of her early days. But BK’s career hasn’t always been a smooth ride. Some of her early records received a lot of praise from critics but didn’t get as much attention as they deserved. Later on, around the time of Affirmation, she found more success, but it also meant facing new pressures and making some compromises to reach a larger audience.

Every song shared a piece of her story, but the most personal moment came later in the first set. “No One Ever Loves in Vain” was especially moving. Knight sang it as a tribute to her friend Tyrone Jamison, who died from AIDS. That would be touching on any night, but on Saturday, 6 June, with Blackpool Pride happening nearby, it felt even more powerful. The song about memory, friendship, grief, and defiance really connected with the audience, who showed their support with cheers from all around the hall.

Of course, she performed some Prince covers. “Raspberry Beret” and “I Feel for You” made it clear how much Prince has influenced her and showed how she fits into the bigger soul and pop world. One of the highlights was hearing her talk about the songs, especially her memories of meeting and playing with Prince at his famous post-concert shows at Indigo O2.

It’s not common for a gig, but after the support act (the fantastic Gabriella Cilmi), the Born To Perform tour had two sets with a break in between. The second half focused on her theatre career, starting with “Memory” from Cats, which was a powerful way to kick things off. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a version so amazing and strong. After that, she performed songs from the shows that have shaped this part of her career: The Bodyguard with “Queen of the Night,” Sister Act with “Take Me to Heaven,” The Drifters Girl with “Harlem Child,” Memphis with “Love Will Stand,” and Sylvia with “March, Women, March.” It really showed how her voice has moved from soul music into musical theatre without losing any of its power. If the first half was about Beverley Knight, the soul artist, the second half was about Beverley Knight, the storyteller.

When she got to “I Am What I Am” and the final “fire” medley, the whole room felt like a party. The ending was full of energy and generosity, and the encore brought the night to a close with everyone back on their feet. “Soul Survivor” feels like the show’s message: a story of persistence, talent, and survival. After that, Gabriella Cilmi came back on stage to sing “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” with Knight.

It was the perfect way to end the night. After a show that took us through gospel, British soul, loss, pride, theatre, and celebration, everyone left feeling warm and hopeful. This journey through BK’s career was more than just a greatest-hits show; it told her life story through songs and stories, with a voice that can fill a room with joy. Netflix should make this into a music documentary; it’s such an uplifting story.

Beverley Knight, Born To Perform Tour tickets are still on sale for dates across the UK.