Yao Minji/Shanghai Daily news

As she promised at the pre-show press conference, Beyonce Knowles transformed her Shanghai concert into a fantastic fashion show to accompany her powerful voice and explosive dance moves.

The Shanghai Grand Stage was filled for the Grammy winner's only concert on the Chinese mainland. More than half of the audience were expats and they ranged from kids of five to people in their fifties.

Some local stars also appeared in the VIP area including pop duet Twins, a few newcomers from the reality show "My Hero" and some local actors.

The audience was predominately made up of two categories of people - young women, heavily made up in their clubbing wear and young white collar workers in their suits having arrived directly from work. Some were loyal Beyonce fans who have followed her from when she was still a member of "Destiny's Child" 10 years ago. Most, however, went to the concert for the chance to dance with 8,000 people.

"I've probably heard less than half of all these songs, but I came for the big club atmosphere," said Jessica Liu. "Tonight, Shanghai Grand Stage is better than any club in Shanghai."

Remixed versions of Beyonce's hit songs like "Crazy in Love" or "Naughty Girl" are regular floor filler in local clubs.

Even before the show started, some fans left their seats to stand right behind the barricade, ready to dance. They were not disappointed as the dusky beauty opened the show with what was the sound track for much of 2004 - the massive "Crazy in Love." The diva bedazzled in a shimmering, figure-hugging, diamond-covered dress.

Not for the R&B queen such token Mandarin "I love Shanghai" or "I love China" learned five minutes before curtain call. Instead, she gradually worked the audience into a frenzy with her sultry voice and erotic dancing.

"You can sing with me, dance with me, stand up, wave your hands. You can do whatever you want," she yelled and at once everyone stood and remained standing for the rest of the show.

The superstar had seven costume changes in the slightly less-than-two-hour blast through her back-catalogue.

The costumes got progressively more glamorous.

The undeniable energy and power of Beyonce's sexy performance, the packed stage with upwards of 20 worldclass performers and her sensational dresses and dancing left most audience members begging for more.