Diana Ross at Stern Grove: The Show Must Go On

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# Diana Ross at Stern Grove: The Show Must Go On

When Diana Ross says *“Can you hear me?”*—the whole world listens. And at the **88th Stern Grove Festival finale** on **August 17, 2025**, more than **12,500 fans** (a record-breaking crowd) heard her loud and clear—even when her mic didn’t want to cooperate. At **81 years young**, Ms. Ross proved that the true definition of a legend is not just about flawless vocals or glamorous gowns—it’s about grace under pressure, wit in the face of chaos, and the ability to turn a technical disaster into pure diva theater.

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## Record-Breaking Crowd, Legendary Presence

San Francisco showed up *and* showed out. The demand for Diana Ross was so intense that over **170,000 people entered the ticket lottery**, hoping to secure one of only 15,000 golden tickets. Stern Grove has seen stars before, but never anything like this—the hills were packed, the energy electric, and the whispers in the crowd were unanimous: this was *the* moment of the summer.

When Diana stepped on stage, sequins sparkling under the California sun, it wasn’t just a performance—it was history.

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## Sound Snags and a Queen’s Recovery

Now, let’s get into the drama. From the very start, the sound team was fighting for their lives. Diana’s mic and monitor weren’t cooperating, and instead of letting it rattle her, she leaned into it. With perfect comedic timing, she quipped:

> *“Can you hear me? Because I can’t hear me.”*

The crowd roared. At one point, she juggled *two* microphones, joking, *“I want to sing with both of these microphones.”* Later, when the culprit was revealed to be nothing more than a dead battery, she laughed it off:

> *“My sound group is the pits… It’s like these AI cars. I can’t sing without this little pack here—it ruins my dresses.”*

That’s Diana Ross—turning technical glitches into stand-up comedy while still keeping the show moving. *The show must go on,* and baby, it did.

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## An Unforgettable Setlist

With the mic drama behind her, Diana launched into a setlist that felt like a time machine through music history. She opened with **“I’m Coming Out,”** igniting the crowd, then slid into a Motown medley with Supremes classics like **“Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,”** and **“Stop! In the Name of Love.”**

Other standouts:

* **“Ease on Down the Road”** (yes, she restarted it after the mic glitch, and yes, it was flawless the second time)

* **“Love Hangover”**—the disco groove had the crowd swaying like it was Studio 54

* A goosebump-inducing **“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”**

* A fierce cover of **“I Will Survive”** that had every single person singing along

And in one of the night’s sweetest surprises, Diana’s daughter **Rhonda Ross Kendrick** joined her for a mini-set, giving Mama Ross time for a costume change before the encore. The finale? **“Thank You,”** the title track from her 2021 album, a perfect closing note of gratitude to the city and her fans.

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## Festival Context & Legacy

Festival director **Bob Fiedler** called her *“the biggest star the festival has ever hosted”*—and he wasn’t exaggerating. Booking Ross cost the festival **four times more than any other act this summer**, but judging by the turnout, the buzz, and the fundraising success, it was worth every penny.

Despite the backdrop of Stern Grove’s massive **$25 million hillside repair**, the festival didn’t just survive—it thrived. Diana Ross’s finale felt like a victory lap for the entire Bay Area, and a reminder of why live music matters.

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## Final Word

Diana Ross walked into Stern Grove, conquered the sound issues with sass, and gave the city of San Francisco a show they’ll be bragging about for decades. Mic or no mic, this was proof that legends don’t crumble under pressure—they sparkle brighter.

The show must go on. And with Diana Ross, it always does.