ADELE WOWS WEMBLEY

Adele wowed fans and critics for the first of four record-breaking, sold-out shows at London’s 98k-capacity Wembley Stadium last night, where the famously tour-shy star hinted she may never return to the road. The dates bring to a close an 18-month campaign for 25 (XL).

Across 15 months of touring in the U.K., Ireland, Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand, Adele will have played to more than two million people across 123 shows. She plays Wembley again tonight and 7/1-2. Promoted by Lucy Dickins at ITB, 98k a night breaks the record set by U2 when they played to 92k fans per night for two dates in 2009 as part of their 360° Tour.

Last night’s show included a call for donations for those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, her trademark frank stage patter and, of course, that phenomenal voice. “I might never see you again at a live show but I will always remember this,” she said at the end. “As of Monday morning, I'm solely a mum, I can't f---ing wait.” In the programme, a note to her fans reads:

Touring is a peculiar thing, it doesn’t suit me particularly well. I‘m a real homebody and I get so much joy in the small things. Plus I’m dramatic and have a terrible history of touring. Until now that is!

It has been hard but an absolute thrill and pleasure to have done. I only ever did this tour for you and to hopefully have an impact on you the way that some of my favourite artists have had on me live. And I wanted my final shows to be in London because I don’t know if I’ll tour again and so I want my last time to be at home.

Thank you for coming, for all of your ridiculous love and kindness. I will remember all of this for the rest of my life.

**Stage photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images