On 2 March 2026, Melbourne’s Palace Foreshore played host to a living legend: Grace Jones. And if anyone arrived wondering whether Jones, now in her seventies, still had it — they knew pretty swiftly that she absolutely does.
From the moment she stepped on stage, the adoring, multi-generational crowd was hers. Fans of all ages danced from the first beat, to a catalogue of hits that have lost none of their resonance. Jones remains a commanding presence — statuesque, theatrical, and utterly unapologetic.
Her trademark decadence was on full display, with what felt like a costume change for almost every song. Sculptural headpieces, dramatic silhouettes, flashes of metallics and skin — each look a performance in itself. Yet amid the glamour, there was also candour. Jones spoke openly, joking about the realities of costume changes and admitting that moving around the stage isn’t always as easy as it once was. She laughed, blaming her famously heavy partying in decades past for any age-related challenges, and the audience roared with affection.
The many sides of Grace Jones — the disco queen, the avant-garde provocateur, the reggae-infused rebel — flickered in and out as the night unfolded. If there were any early hints of restraint, they disappeared as the show progressed. Jones seemed to gather momentum with every number, feeding off the crowd’s energy. Her voice remains remarkably powerful — rich, resonant and precise — and she proved more than capable on percussion too.
The band and backing vocalists were exceptional, tight and dynamic throughout. In a particularly touching moment, Jones proudly introduced her son, who performs in the band, sharing with visible joy that he has recently made her a grandmother. It was a reminder that behind the iconography and armour stands a woman revelling in family as much as fame.
The evening built to a euphoric climax with the ever-popular Slave to the Rhythm. As the opening pulse kicked in, the crowd erupted. Jones, resplendent and defiant, twirled a glittering silver hula hoop with precision as she delivered the anthem. It was theatrical, surreal, triumphant — pure Grace Jones.
She is still daring, still magnetic, still gloriously herself. At Palace Foreshore, it felt less like a concert and more like a celebration — of longevity, artistry and an icon who, against all odds and expectations, continues to own the stage.
