Rihanna, Gdynia-Kosakowo Airfield, Gdynia, Poland

Photo: Tomek Kaminski
It’s the 7th of July, and the mood has turned. The airfield that was previously filled with rock fans bawling along to ‘Brianstorm’ and ‘Song 2’ with all its heart is now plastered with posters of Rihanna glowering in the sultry manner only an international pop superstar can pull off. The word ‘Unapologetic’ is just about covering one boob. We try to steal one as a memento, but unfortunately a beaver (well, a man in a furry suit) catches us on our preliminary reccy, and gives us a reprimanding waft of his paw. Never mind, eh?

We might be over-excited about shining bright like a diamond in a metaphorical California King Bed of guiltless pop bliss, but first up Dizzee Rascal is supporting. Embracing ‘Holiday’, ‘Dance Wiv Me’ and ‘Bonkers’ with boundless gusto, we have a fantastic time – although we admit we are delighted when Dizzee says “I wrote this next song with will.i.am” and a fair portion of the crowd boos. It’s material from ‘Boy In Da Corner’ that really proves just how Dizzee earnt his place here tonight in the first place, and ‘Jus’ a Rascal’ and ‘Fix Up, Look Sharp’ shows some unbelievably fast flow and an edge missing from his more recent strawpeedoing-wkd-in-a-club direction. By the end of the slot, we’ve got our Hawaiian garlands out ready for the main event.

The music blasting from the stage to get the crowd ‘hyped’ is reaching its peak, and by ‘Blurred Lines’ everyone is throwing shapes like a drunk uncle dancing at a wedding reception. ‘Get Lucky’ plays next, to our joy, because it’s the song of the summer. Surely it must be the final warm-up tune.

Ooh no no. The queen of the navy keeps us waiting for an hour – and it’s even more annoying, because after seeing her at Miguel yesterday, and reading about her thwarted attempts to sunbathe nearby on the beach in Sopot, we know she’s already here. People are booing, and a couple of disgruntled Polish men ask us something that includes the question “Heineken?” before giving up and sulking off in search of booze in the designated drinking area instead.

It’s a fickle crowd though, because as soon as the LEDs blare into life with diamonds galore, the booing is replaced by screaming. On swans Rihanna, in a metallic take on a gym kit and an elaborate tracksuit top which quickly gets discarded. It’s not the most hard-hitting beginning as she sort of gyrates around the stage for ‘Phresh Out The Runway’ grabbing her crotch and shouting “Poland!” on top of pre-recorded vocals. Once ‘Birthday Cake’ and ‘Talk That Talk’ pound into life, though, we’re back in true Rihanna territory, filthy, dirty, completely over the top and absolut-oo-nah-nahly amazing.

A few people probably injure themselves during ‘Cockiness (Suck It)’ – people are dutty wining all the way down to the floor during the especially suggestive bit that goes ‘enter my diamond matrix / if you want my golden flower’. By ‘Man Down’ and ‘Rude Boy’ there are huge flames licking the back of the stage, and some enterprising person in the crowd has lit a flare. RiRi keeps running off the stage in a puff of smoke during musical interludes, but there are no costume changes. We can only guess at what she’s up to, but each time she returns, she’s even more enthusiastic about her love for Poland, running down to the barrier and practically thrusting into the faces of her delighted front row.

We’re treated to ‘Umbrella’, too, and a fleeting cover of ‘All Of The Lights’ (only the bit Rihanna sings on, obviously). The final run of songs before the encore hits another peak; ‘S&M’, ‘Only Girl In The World’, and ‘Don’t Stop The Music’. Finally we’re shrieking “where have you been all my li-i-i-i-fah-fah” at the top of our lungs. Where have you been all our life, RiRi?

By the encore, we feel like we’ve died and been resurrected as diamond demons. Watching ‘Stay’ from the lofty heights of a friend’s shoulders, we have a gander at the rest of the crowd’s faces to check it’s not just us. Everyone has glazed over under the Rihanna spell. ‘Diamonds’ wraps up the show, and we’re inconsolable. We find ourselves saying we wish Rihanna had headlined Open’er every single night. Although that would be ridiculous, tonight’s Diamond Tour was on a scale of sheer superstar decadence it’s rare to see. Love her or loathe her, Rihanna is the biggest pop star in the world. After tonight we’re personally convinced - she’s probably the best pop star in the world right now, too.