From the moment she appeared on stage for this one-off concert at London\u2019s Royal Albert Hall, raising funds for the charity \u201cLulu\u2019s Mental Health Trust\u201d, the reception \u2013 from a crowd largely around her age of 77 \u2013 was warm and affectionate. Lulu said she felt like she was performing for a \u201cbig family\u201d \u2013 a description that felt particularly apt considering the presence of her younger sister Edwina, who performed as her backing singer, and her young grandson, who joined her on stage for selected songs.<\/p>\n
Watching her command the Royal Albert Hall, it wasn\u2019t just her longevity that was remarkable, nor her energy, but the category of entertainer that she represents. Lulu emerged in an era when fame was not built around a single skill or platform but around the ability to hold a room. Regardless of the decades of career history on display, the show never felt like an exercise in nostalgia \u2013 it was a celebration in its own right.<\/p>\n
She opened with the Eurovision<\/a>-winning 1969 hit Boom, Bang-a-Bang, joined by this year\u2019s Australia\u2019s Eurovision star Delta Goodrem, before moving effortlessly through six decades of entertainment history. Later, she harmonised with archive footage of David Bowie on one of their most famous collaborations, The Man Who Sold the World, before sharing another virtual duet with the late Tina Turner onI Don\u2019t Want to Fight, the song she co-wrote for Turner\u2019s biographical film What\u2019s Love Got to Do With It.<\/p>\n But none of this felt like a greatest-hits package. Such is the breadth of Lulu\u2019s catalogue that you feel that she could seemingly choose any number and that it would serve as a gateway into a larger story, collaboration or cultural moment.<\/p>\n An early emotional peak arrived with To Sir, With Love from the 1967 film of the same name. Against a backdrop of clips and photographs from the film, Lulu remembered working alongside Sidney Poitier, describing it as \u201cthe greatest honour of my life\u201d. The audience responded with a standing ovation \u2013 the first of many of the evening.<\/p>\n The most revealing moments were not necessarily the songs themselves. They were Lulu\u2019s impeccable performance skills. Uninhibited, her sharp dance moves \u2013 and even the occasional jump, despite wearing platform shoes \u2013 were matched by her distinctive, full-throated voice that still carries with ease.<\/p>\n Although a performer could have easily been eclipsed by her esteemed guests, Lulu remained at the centre of proceedings. Boy George joined her for Karma Chameleon and Gary Barlow<\/a> was at the piano for A Million Love Songs.<\/p>\n![\"Lulu](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SEI_299831857.jpg\")
Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow, previously sworn enemies, traded lines from either side of the stage (Photo: Ryan Payne)<\/p>\n