The 2020s have already been full of surprises. Obviously, the global coronavirus pandemic sits at the top of the list. But I’m not sure many anticipated the rise of Dionne Warwick as a Twitter personality offering wry reflections on Gen Z culture as well as exquisite comebacks. Hopefully Warwick’s social media virality is inspiring younger generations to explore her rich back catalogue.

After a storied 62-year career as a chanteuse, storyteller, and interpreter, Warwick (now 81) is back on tour in the UK ‘one last time’ with 21 dates across the country.

Her concert at the London Palladium opened with a support set from Olivier-nominated actress and singer Rachel John, known for West End stints in Memphis, Hamilton, and the Bob Dylan musical Girl from the North Country. The velvety-voiced singer impressed with covers of Randy Crawford’s ‘One Day I’ll Fly Away’, Dylan’s ‘True Love Tends to Forget’, and her original song ‘Fool’s Gold’ (an R&B power ballad deserving of a studio release).

Warwick then took to the stage to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. “After a reception like that, I’d usually say ‘thank you and goodnight,'” she remarked in one of the evening’s several witty asides. Perched on a stool (she acknowledged that she’d recently had a leg surgery), she promised the audience a “stroll down memory lane.” Indeed, she covered all the expected material: songs she recorded as Burt Bacharach & Hal David’s muse, hits from her 1980s resurgence, and material during her foray into Brazilian jazz. The two noticeable omissions were her breakout hit ‘Don’t Make Me Over’ and the standard ‘A House Is Not a Home’ (which would have been wonderful choices for Rachel John, actually).

Warwick was supported by a top-notch orchestra and musical direction from Todd Hunter. Alluding to Aretha Franklin’s more popular version, Warwick delivered ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ as a duet with her eldest son and drummer David Elliott, whose vocal talents shone. Saccharine charity single ‘We Are the World’ (which Warwick originally performed alongside a star-studded roster of talent led by Michael Jackson) was an unexpected standout with gorgeous work from the string section.

Since her last appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018, Warwick’s voice has diminished considerably. The high notes were largely out of reach, though her voice still carries glimmers of that magical husk in its lower tones. But, with the audience encouraged to sing along throughout, everyone (including this writer) seemed content to revel in the musical nostalgia and soak up Warwick’s charismatic aura. One last time.