Miriam Makeba, Dome Concert Hall, Brighton, May 21

12:35pm Thursday 22nd May 2008

It had been five years since Miriam Makeba last visited Brighton Dome and the atmosphere in the theatre was electric.

Following the superb performance from her support band Seckou Keita Quartet, there was an air of anticipation as we waited for Makeba to take to the stage and when she did the party truly began.

Her first number had the audience hooked and people never stopped dancing and clapping until she left the stage.

It was difficult to take your eyes off the inspirational singer who, at the age of 76, still knows how to move.

Makeba sung in both English and Zulu and particularly poignant was Africa Is Where My Heart Is, as the singer spent 31 years living in exile after speaking out against the apartheid state in South Africa.

Another powerful song was a Zulu number called Masakhane - Let's Build Together.

At one point Makeba asked the audience to excuse her for sitting on a chair to sing as she was in pain from her osteoarthritis. She didn't have to ask as you got the feeling her audience would have forgiven "Mama Africa" anything.

Makeba and her band members, who were also excellent throughout, thoroughly deserved the standing ovation they received and we left the theatre feeling as though we really had seen a living legend.

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