Adele said to her fans that she was so happy to be back on stage after briefly feeling overwhelmed by emotion during the first of five public concerts in five years.
The pop star’s composure was temporarily shaken as she took in London’s Hyde Park’s huge crowd during the first lines of Hello.
She soon resumed singing and was soon in her stride. She performed a two-hour show for 65,000 people in her hometown.
She said, “It’s so odd to be infront of a crowd again.”
If a Las Vegas residency, which was due to begin in January, had been cancelled, this would have not been her live return. She postponed the show 24 hours prior to the first show and tearfully informed ticket-holders that it was not ready.
Friday’s interview featured her announcing that the US dates would be rearranged “very, very soon” and that her team was still waiting for “one piece of equipment”.
She first displayed her feelings by displaying the down-to earth persona that is so important to her appeal.
Soon it became apparent that the pretty, glam-up girl next to me can still trigger emotions unlike other pop stars.
As she watched the crowd sing the chorus of Someone Like You, she appeared again overwhelmed. And few of the 18 bittersweet torch song she performed were not accompanied with heartfelt sing-alongs.
She was also able to show emotion through her flashes and she seemed relieved to be back on the big stage.
Although she did two TV specials in promotion of her new album 30, which was released in November, this was her first ticketed gig.
She said that she gets nervous before every show, but she loves being up here.
Many people who were supposed to see her in Vegas will be wondering why she didn’t get on stage. She clearly feels guilty about this.
She shared with the London crowd that she knew many people feel let down and it was “horrifying for me”. She said that she had to make this decision. She still has not explained why.
The set-up of her for the British Summer Time festival was not difficult. She was seated in front of a six-piece group and three backing vocalists. They were set up on two 2ft steps.
They were covered with layers of delicately-coloured tassels. These swung up at the end of the show to expose the middle of the wraparound screen.
One point she and a grand-piano appeared at the end a catwalk that reached into the crowd. A bit of confetti and some flame-throwing fireworks were displayed at the end.
These bells and whistles were unnecessary, and her fans would be more than happy if she added in her trademark between-song banter from north London.
She asked if anyone was celebrating their birthday and gave out dedications much like a radio DJ. One of the front rows was celebrating a wedding anniversary. “27 years? Oy oy!
She then asked, “Do we have any divorcing parties here tonight?” She roared as the crowd cheered: “You liars!” Ha ha!
She launched into Skyfall, her James Bond theme, seconds after which she stopped to notify stewards of someone in need. They only resumed when they were seen.
She spotted another casualty at the end of the song and her voice became urgent again. “Do you need help? Do you want to wave or need help? Oh, you’re waving!” She burst into laughter again.
One point she asked if any Stranger Things fans were present. For a moment, it seemed like she was about to call out Kate Bush, whose Running Up That Hill is back at number one, having become the show’s official theme.
But, no. Adele wanted to connect with the crowd about the new series. The second half was released the day before her gig. She joked that she would be “embarrassed tomorrow, gobbling down part two all night.”
She will be seen by those who are going to see her Saturday. She will be leaving the venue for Vegas, and no other concerts.
She was putting the final touches on those plans and this show proved that her heartfelt songs, powerful voice, and sincere presence are enough to make even the largest crowd feel warm.
Set list
