Review: Four Tops, The Temptations and Tavares, Genting Arena, Birmingham

First up was R&B and soul act Tavares, which formed back in 1959.

The four-piece stepped on to the stage dressed in matching fuchsia shirts and black sequined jackets, opening their supporting set with 1975 single It Only Takes A Minute.

Dancing in unison and achieving wonderful sounds with harmonies and strength, this act's performance - though clearly a tremendous testament to their talent - was a sign of things to come and set the tone for the evening wonderfully.

Hits such as Never Had A Love Like This Before and Don't Take Away The Music followed, before the group completed their set with favourites More Than A Woman and Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, which saw the arena rise to their feet, clapping, dancing and singing along.

Next came The Temptations - fronted by sole remaining founding member Otis Williams, now aged 74.

While the other groups were wonderful, these for me were the stand-out act, thanks to their incredible harmonies and tremendous individual vocals.

Though the whole five-piece were excellent - frontman Larry Briggs was easily the star of the show, with incredible range allowing him to sing all notes with great strength and ease.

And yet, the star had to undergo a CT scan after falling from the stage at Manchester Arena on Saturday. Amazing doesn't quite cover it.

The group - dressed in matching loose-fitted blue shirts and black trousers - opened their set with a wonderful performance of 1966 number Get Ready.

They proved themselves to be a collection of true performers; impressing with their well-timed, skilled dance moves and outstanding voices - with a range of notes performed from the members, and the super deep low notes provided excellently by Willie Green.

Hits came thick and fast throughout; the act delighting fans with brilliant renditions of Papa Was A Rolling Stone, The Way You Do The Things You Do and Treat Her Like A Lady, before completing their stellar performance with the group's first number one hit My Girl.

Needless to say, these went down a storm and saw fans belt out the words and couples pull each other from their seats to dance. A fantastic show.

Finally came The Four Tops, who have been working alongside The Temptations for half a century. And yet despite their affiliation, the groups' sounds and appeal are very different.

While The Temptations have super harmonies, The Four Tops have marvellous vocal strength.

Opening their set with Baby I Need Your Loving, the four-piece - all dressed in purple suit jackets and black shirts - impressed instantly.

"You can't imagine how glad I am to be here," beamed Abdul 'Duke' Fakir, the group's sole remaining original member.

"I met the president of our fan club back in 1966 and she's been here every year we have.

"Last year she passed away, so we're dedicating this whole show to her. This is to Trina."

Bernadette, It's The Same Old Song and Loco In Acapulco came next, followed by a slow, smooth rendition of Ask The Lonely which the group sang on stools.

"Birmingham you really are something," shouted Duke.

"You're still the best."

Favourites Reach Out I'll Be There and I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) came next, before finishing the evening with Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever.

An incredible night, with amazing vocals, great dance moves and tremendous music - and one that will remain in my memory for years to come.

By Kirsten Rawlins