SUPERSTAR Beyoncé Knowles made her Welsh debut last night in true diva style.

In a puff of white smoke, the glamorous American singer ascended on to the stage of Cardiff International Arena to perform a string of hits for her adoring fans.

Dressed in a long, silver gown, with her hair billowing out behind her, she opened the show with her massive hit Crazy In Love.

Although the concert may not have been a sellout, the mainly young female audience loved every minute.

And Beyoncé proved once and for all that although she may still be only 25, she is well on her way to becoming one of the great female singing legends. The Cardiff appearance was just one of a handful of gigs Beyoncé is performing in the UK.

The former Destiny’s Child singer, renowned for such upbeat tracks as Crazy In Love, Deja Vu and the recent chart-topper Beautiful Liar, kicked off the mini tour in Birmingham.

And after two further gigs at Wembley Arena, she brought her show, billed as The Beyoncé Experience, to Wales – which was a late addition to the bill.

Backed by a 13-piece, all-female band, Beyoncé offered a high-energy spectacle from the moment she arrived on stage.

Even as part of the Destiny’s Child trio, Beyoncé – recently engaged to rapper Jay-Z – stood out from the others.

And as a solo artist, she has the tracks, the vocals and the moves to put her peers to shame.

Although Beyoncé certainly knows how to put on a spectacle – with costume changes and dancers galore – she doesn’t need any gimmicks. Her amazing voice is the only tool she really needs.

The star gave a nod to her former band – and the Destiny’s Child fans in the crowd – by including a medley of their hits, including Bills, Bills, Bills. But last night the real reason they were at the CIA was to see her – and her alone.