Adele told her fans she was “so happy” to be back on stage as she briefly became overcome at the beginning of her first public performance in five years.
During the opening lines of Hello in London’s Hyde Park, the pop star’s composure momentarily wavered as she surveyed the massive crowd.
She quickly resumed singing and played a two-hour set that delighted the 65,000 fans in her hometown.
She told them, “It’s so strange to be in front of a crowd again.”
This would not have been her live return if a January residency in Las Vegas had gone forward as planned. But she postponed it 24 hours before the first performance, telling ticketholders tearfully that it “ain’t ready.”
She stated on Friday’s show that she would announce the rescheduled US tour dates “very, very soon” and that she was awaiting the completion of one final piece of equipment.
Her initial display of emotion was indicative of her approachable nature, which is a significant part of her appeal.
It became immediately apparent that the glammed-up girl next door can still reach emotional buttons few other pop stars can.
Few of her 18 bittersweet torch songs were not accompanied by fervent singalongs.
In addition to her emotional outbursts, she appeared visibly relieved to be back on the stage.
In November, she performed two television specials to promote her latest album 30, but this was her first ticketed concert.
“I’m so nervous before every performance, but I love being onstage,” she said on Friday.
‘People felt let down’
Many of those who were scheduled to see her in Las Vegas will wonder why she was unable to perform there as well. She feels guilty about this calamity.
She told the London crowd that she was ashamed because she knew that many people were disappointed. However, she stated that she “had to” make that choice. She has not yet adequately explained why.
Her festival set up for British Summer Time was not particularly complicated. She stood in front of a six-piece band and three backup singers positioned on two 2-foot-tall steps.
Above them were layered fringes of tastefully colored tassels, which were lifted during the performance to reveal the middle portion of a wraparound screen that formed the stage’s backdrop.
She and a grand piano appeared at the end of a catwalk that extended into the audience at one point. At the conclusion, there was confetti, flame-throwing pyrotechnics, and fireworks.
Those bells and whistles were hardly required, and the audience would have been satisfied with her signature north London banter between songs.
She inquired if anyone was celebrating a birthday, making dedications like a local radio DJ. Someone in the front row was celebrating their wedding anniversary. “27 years? Oi oi!”
Then she inquired, “Are there any divorce parties tonight?” As the crowd roared, she also did: “You liars! Ha ha!”
Crowd cohesion
Moments after beginning to perform her Skyfall theme for James Bond, she halted to alert stewards of an audience member in need of assistance, only continuing when they had been attended to.
At the end of the song, she identified another potential victim, and her voice became urgent once more. “Do you require aid? Are you waving or seeking assistance? Oh, you’re waving the hand!” She again dissolved into laughter.
At one point, she asked if there were any Stranger Things fans in attendance, and it appeared for a moment that she was about to introduce Kate Bush, whose song Running Up That Hill has returned to the top of the charts after becoming the show’s unofficial theme.
But no. Adele simply desired to connect with the audience over the most recent series, the second half of which was released on the day of her concert. She joked, “I’ll be exhausted tomorrow after devouring part two all night.”
Those attending her Saturday performance in Hyde Park will be hoping she got enough rest to be in top form for her second night there. After that, she has no scheduled concerts until, presumably, Las Vegas.
As she completes these plans, this performance demonstrated that her heartfelt songs, piercing voice, and genuine presence can leave even the largest crowd with a warm glow.
