Diana Ross kicks off Eminem-produced Michigan Central concert in epic fashion

DETROIT – We knew this would be an epic concert, we just didn’t realize just how monumental the Michigan Central Open would actually be. The world is watching live on Peacock and locally on WDIV-TV in Detroit, a concert the likes we have never witnessed in Michigan and may never witness again. And it’s just getting started.

In a scene that can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere in front of nearly 20,000 people with the iconic, six years in the making, renovated Michigan Central Station in the background, Motown legend Diana Ross, kicked off the Eminem-executive produced concert in grand fashion just after 8:30 p.m.

The legendary Detroiter performed some of her biggest hits with “I’m Coming Out,” “Upside Down,” “Thank You” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

As the concert continues, also scheduled to perform are: Jack White, Big Sean, Fantasia, Common, Melissa Etheridge, Jelly Roll and The Clark Sisters, among others. The concert will also feature a tribute to Bob Seger.

Joining the performers at this concert throughout the evening will be a number of famous Detroit faces as presenters, like Barry Sanders, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff, Judge Greg Mathis, Loni Love, Sam Richardson, Taylor Lautner, Mike Epps and Sophia Bush. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Bill Ford Jr. also addressed the crowd right before the concert began.

Michigan Central first opened back in 1913. It closed in 1988 and it lay abandoned until Ford purchased it in 2018. After a six-year restoration, Ford just unveiled this week what the inside looks like.

More Michigan Central:

First look inside the once abandoned Michigan Central, restored to its 1913 glory

See Michigan Central Station before and after 6 years of restoration

Take a tour of Michigan Central Station’s ground floor renovations