Our entertainment editor Ben Jolley is at The Cambridge Club festival this weekend. Here’s his review of Grace Jones’ opening night performance. 

Age-defying music icon Grace Jones kickstarted this year’s Cambridge Club festival on Friday night with an incredible career-spanning headline performance. 

Although the 75-year-old was nearly 30 minutes late to the stage, the civilised audience was happy to wait patiently.

Appearing from behind a flag of her own face, the cult favourite sported a black cape and gold skull mask with spiky feathers for her first outfit of the evening. 

Backed by a formidable live band which included a guitarist, bassist, drummers, keyboardist and two backing singers, she opened with the title track of her 1981 album ‘Nightclubbing’. 

As the night went on, with a costume change after practically every song and an endless succession of witty one-liners, she proved not only her status as a fashion icon but also that, as a vocalist, she remains one of the best in the business. 

A cover of ‘Amazing Grace’ showcased her flawless vocal range, including how deep she can go, and saw her take on the role of conductor as she got the audience singing in choral unison. Contrastingly, a strobe-spotlighted rock-leaning rendition of ‘Love Is The Drog’ changed the vibe. 

Throughout the night, she commanded the crowd in the Cambridgeshire countryside majestically. 

Jones’ performance not only put younger artists who often mime during their concerts to shame, but the way she moved and danced, including twerking with her backing dancers during ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’, proved that age really is just a number. 

Many new generation artists may have taken inspiration from Jones, but there’s no doubt that she’s fully in her own lane - an inimitable singular talent. 

At many points, she left jaws on the floor: as well as leaving one raised leg on the barrier for an entire song, she also climbed onto a security guard’s shoulders to walk along the front of the crowd, striking some brilliant poses and holding fans’ hands as she went.

Then, having hula hooped for the entire eight minutes of set closer ‘Slave To The Rhythm’, she signed off by teasing “I could go on all night!” After that brilliant performance, nobody doubted it.  

The Cambridge Club festival continued on Saturday with Lionel Richie headlining and performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Real Thing. Today, there will be performances from Kool & The Gang, Billy Ocean and Odyssey.