By Levi Harris And Isabelle Wilson-
Some of Detroit’s most iconic musical talents, including Diana Ross,(pictured) Eminem, and Jack White, took to the stage for a monumental concert celebrating the reopening of the Michigan Central Station. The event marked a significant milestone in the revitalization of the city, long emblematic of decline and decay, and showcased the transformative power of community and corporate investment.
The 90-minute event, titled Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central, was a vibrant celebration of Detroit’s storied musical legacy and its resilient spirit. The station, which has been under refurbishment since Ford Motor Company took control of it six years ago, officially reopens to the public on Friday. This reopening comes more than three decades after the last train departed the once-abandoned building.
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Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, addressed the crowd, reflecting on the significance of the occasion. “Six years ago, we gathered here and dreamt of what was possible. We dared to dream that this station, which had become a symbol of a broken city, could once again shine as the symbol of the Motor City,” he said.
Diana Ross, a Motown legend and Detroit native, kicked off the festivities with a powerful rendition of “I’m Coming Out,” setting an upbeat tone for the evening. The sold-out, ticketed event streamed live on Peacock and featured an array of performances from artists deeply connected to Detroit, including Big Sean, the Clark Sisters, Common, Fantasia, Melissa Etheridge, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Though not initially scheduled to perform, Eminem closed the show with a surprise set, delivering his new single “Houdini” along with hits “Not Afraid” and “Welcome 2 Detroit.” The crowd erupted as the Detroit rapper, known for his deep ties to the city, took the stage, making his appearance one of the night’s highlights.
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Eminem is generally perceived as one of the great musical talents of his generation, having one of the most compelling and mouth watering lyrics the music industry has ever seen. On Friday, the U.S legendary rap star released his 62nd single, Houdini
His song is the most-streamed song in the UK and guaranteed to become Eminem’s 11th UK No 1. It is both his fastest-selling single in 22 years, and on track to become the UK’s fastest-selling single of the year by anyone, including Taylor Swift.
Last year, streams of Eminem’s 2004 single Mockingbird suddenly surged to over 1.5bn after it became a huge viral hit on TikTok, a platform far more popular with teenagers than anyone old enough to remember Eminem’s heyday first-hand.
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:The Concert at Michigan Central” at Michigan Central Station. Image: AARON J. THORNTON/GETTY
Eminem’s family was also at the show to provide their unwavering support. His daughter, Hailie Jade, her new husband, Evan McClintock were spotted in the audience, and two of his other children, Alaina Marie, 31 other and Stevie Laine, 32.
The talented artist’s presence in any show always captures the imagination of an audience with a strong thirst for talented display.
Jack White performing at Michigan Central on Thursday night. Image: Carlos Osorio / AP
Another high point was Jack White’s performance. Introducing his set, White said, “We’re going to play a couple of songs tonight that were written a few blocks away from right here.” The audience roared as he began the iconic opening chords of “Seven Nation Army,” a song he recorded with The White Stripes. White, who grew up near the Michigan Central Station, concluded his set with a dramatic flair, holding his guitar aloft as pyrotechnics illuminated the historic building behind him.
The event was not just a concert but a celebration of Detroit’s ongoing renaissance. Presenters included Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders, current Lions stars Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, and actors Taylor Lautner and Sophia Bush. Organizers reported that 20,000 people attended the event, and more than 60,000 are expected to tour the station over the next ten days.
Big Sean, another performer and Detroit native, reflected on the train station’s transformation: “For most of my life, it was just a big eyesore. It’s an oasis in the middle of the city. It’s a metaphor for us all: It’s our time right now.”
Economic and Social Revitalization
The refurbishment of Michigan Central Station is a pivotal part of Ford’s vision for a 30-acre mobility innovation district in Detroit’s Corktown area. This project aims to create thousands of tech-related jobs and has already spurred the development of new restaurants, hotels, and other businesses, revitalizing the local economy.
The station, once a symbol of Detroit’s struggles, has now become a beacon of hope and progress. Its reopening comes a decade after the city exited a painful bankruptcy. Since then, Detroit has stabilized its finances, stemmed population losses, and made significant strides in cleaning up blight across its 139 square miles.
In April, Detroit set an attendance record for the NFL draft, with over 775,000 fans flooding downtown over three days, underscoring the city’s resurgence as a vibrant urban center.
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