Concert information
| Festival | North Sea Jazz Festival |
| Date | 07/13/2025 (also see 07/11/2025 and 07/12/2025) |
| Venue | Ahoy |
| City | Rotterdam |
| Country | The Netherlands |
| Line-up (witnessed) | Thee Sacred Souls, Sarah-Jane Mr. Jetfly And The Black Excellence Kawina Orchestra, Odeal, Jacob Collier & Metropole Orkest, Sabrina Starke, Tigran Hamasyan, Durand Bernarr, WAR, Jorja Smith, Kamasi Washington, Benin International Musical, Diana Ross, Closing Professionals Jam led by Steam Down |
Rating
Day 3 of the greatest festival I know.
Today en route to Rotterdam with Zühal, where the day started off great with Thee Sacred Souls.
Following the smooth soul and a short stop at Sarah-Jane off to upcomer Odeal. The charisma is there, but the music lacks that appeal. Too predictable and bland neo-soul. Hadn’t planned on it, but popped in at Jacob Collier, and he grabbed me yet again. The end where Collier led the Metropole Orkest in an unplanned performance Somethin’ Stupid was deeply moving.
Tigran Hamasyan was impressive show-off music, exiting and heavy. Surprising. After the happy intermezzo offered by Durand Bernarr, off to see the veterans of WAR, who played a funky show. Very happy to have witnessed them live. Following the stale Jorja Smith off to Kamasi Washington. What a show! By the end, the venue cleared, but I remained seated and it was fantastic!
The reason everybody left the Kamasi show? Miss Diana Ross. I have always struggled with the typical American slick, Hollywood type of shows she played, but I just had to go. Didn’t regret it for a second. Some party, the audience’s love for Ross was palpable for all who were there, and it seemed like she felt it too. When she started Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To) by the end, North Sea Jazz 2025 and Diana Ross came full circle for me. Late 1975 (50 years ago) the song was released as a single and the 9 year old me loved it. I bought/was gifted the single and I always cherished it. I never thought I’d say this, but Diana Ross live was an experince I wouldn’t have missed for the world.
| Artist | Seen whole show? | Rating |
| Thee Sacred Souls | No |  |
| Sarah-Jane Mr. Jetfly And The Black Excellence Kwaina Orchestra | No |  |
| Odeal | No |  |
| Jacob Collier & Metropole Orkest | No | |
| Sabrina Starke | No | |
| Tigran Hamasyan | No | |
| Durand Bernarr | No | |
| WAR | No | |
| Jorja Smith | No |  |
| Kamasi Washington | Yes |  |
| Benin International Musical | No | |
| Diana Ross | No | |
| Closing Professionals Jam led by Steam Down | No | |
Setlist
Diana Ross
Overture / I’m Coming Out / More Today Than Yesterday / Baby Love / You Can’t Hurry Love / Stop! In The Name Of Love / Chain Reaction / Don’t Explain / Love Hangover / Take Me Higher / Ease On Down The Road / The Boss / Endless Love / Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand) / Upside Down / Count On Me / Back To Love / Why Do Fools Fall In Love / Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To) / Ain’t No Mountain High Enough / I Will Survive / Thank You
Concert ticket
North Sea Jazz Poster Competition 2025
North Sea Jazz Festival 2025 Poster Competition 1st-Prize
