Cillian O'Brien talks to 1980s diva Sade, as she returns to the stage.

April 29, 2011 will go down in history as Royal Wedding day but for music fans it will also be remembered as the beginning of one of the comebacks of the year.

Eighties soul superstar Sade returned to the world stage after more than a decade away with a show at Palais Nikaia in the French resort of Nice a few hours after Will and Catherine became man and wife.

Three days later I managed to catch up with Sade’s tour at Hamburg’s O2 World Arena.

And I can promise that fans won’t be disappointed when the show reaches Birmingham LG Arena on May 29.

Let’s not forget that Sade is a band, fronted by Sade Adu and featuring saxophonist Stuart Matthewman, keyboard player Andrew Hale and bassist Paul Denman.

They emerged on hydraulic lifts through the stage, the singer wearing her signature black polo neck, cropped trousers and sexy black heels.

Classy and sophisticated as ever, her voice sounded as warm as her ‘80s heyday.

It is an enviable achievement to have an eagerly awaiting audience having not performed live for 13 years.

“We are very lucky that we are able to just come out here and carry on and be welcomed in that way,” Sade says.

“I feel lucky that we still have that platform and we didn’t just jump and somebody pulled away the net.

“To continue doing what we do and know that we are loved is a great thing.

“I can honestly say I’m really excited about the new tour. It’s old and new songs, not just a showcase for the new album.

“One of my favourite songs to perform is Cherish and in the past I’ve loved to sing Pearls – to just let go and cry it out.”

Sade are one of the most successful British bands of all time, with record sales of more than 50 million.

The young-looking and attractive singer, aged 52, now lives in rural Gloucestershire with her new partner and daughter, who was born in 1996.

Last year’s Soldier of Love album was the band’s sixth in its 25 year career. It won a Grammy award and reached number four in the United Kingdom.

Sophie Muller, who has worked with the band since their first album, is visual director for the show, her stunning visuals projected onto a screen of white curtains throughout the show.