There are plenty of female singers willing to be vaguely risqué, but only Grace Jones could wear a basque and buttock-baring underwear and make it seem like entirely acceptable behaviour for a 60-year-old.

More a force of nature than a mere pop star, her intoxicating mix of attitude, sexually charged music and Philip Treacy headwear made Madonna seem demure in comparison.

Yet Jones never sacrificed her dignity - except perhaps during a few moments of bottom-wiggling - in a show that relied on her unique talent rather than diva-ish posturing. Of course, it helped that she still looked like a supermodel, even with her cropped hair and baleful stare.

After a terrifying video to new song Corporate Cannibal, featuring Jones being horribly distorted, the Jamaican-born singer made her entrance on a platform above her band during the reggae groove of Nightclubbing.

The fans were noisily supportive at this Meltdown festival comeback, which bodes well for her first album in 19 years in October. But Jones was initially a bit tentative, and when she sat down and dragged herself down some steps, complaining about not being able to see her way, it felt as if something might go wrong sooner or later.

But no: Jones simply took charge and, within the first few Eighties disco and electro-funk tunes, she jumped into the arms of a fan, undertook three costume changes and threatened to "come out naked", although then decided it might get her arrested. Jones has vocal power rather than a great voice, but the combination of singing and speech was seductive and she moved around on her stilettos like a woman half her age.

The loss of her lyric sheet for a new song may have been pretence - she admitted as much the next time - but it added a sense of drama. Overall, the new material was encouraging, and Corporate Cannibal had some of the pounding intensity of Bjˆrk's Army Of Me.

But this fearsome performance was always building to a finale of hits and the electro-rock take on Love Is The Drug, with a green laser bouncing off Jones's glittery bowler, had everyone dancing.

Despite her reputation for trouble, she was warm and affectionate and even encouraged the audience to join her towards the end, with 50 people gyrating to Pull Up To The Bumper.

However, she was never going to take any nonsense - "No beers on stage!" she snapped at one petrified fan - and this former Bond villain kept complete control. She is, of course, amazing Grace.

Meltdown continues until 24 June.