From the tapping of the keg to the fireworks: Adele fans from all over the world are enthusiastic about the pop queen’s new concert concept. After all, there is much more to experience than “just” the world-famous voice.
The test has been passed, everything is ready in Munich for the next concerts of pop queen Adele: At the first of ten events in the arena built especially for the British superstar, including the adjoining festival, everything went smoothly except for a downpour immediately before the concert began. And the fans were enthusiastic about the new concept.
It’s an unusual concert series: the 36-year-old – who is known to not like touring and last performed on the European mainland in 2016 – has had her own pop-up stadium built in the Bavarian capital. Completely tailored to her needs and completely black and white in the Adele look.
Largest video screen in the world
The arena has space for 73,000 people and is shaped like an amphitheater to ensure the best possible view from all seats. It is dominated by a 220-meter-long and 17-meter-high LED wall, which organizers say is the largest in the world. A catwalk and a circular walkway bring Adele (“Rolling in the Deep,” “Hello,” “Easy on me”) closer to her fans.
Despite ticket prices of over 400 euros, they followed the call of the Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy winner and came to Munich from all over the world – from Sweden and South Africa, California and Chile. The advertising machine that had been running for months promised not only a gigantic concert show, but also a very special setting: outside the stadium, the “Adele World” lured people to pass the time before and after the concert.
Brass music and free beer in the Adele World
It is a kind of folk festival, with many features reminiscent of the Oktoberfest: There is a Ferris wheel and a swing carousel, brass music and even free beer from a barrel that is brought by a festively decorated brewery carriage and skilfully tapped with two blows by Munich’s economic advisor Clemens Baumgärtner.
The city of Munich, which is not contributing financially to the costs in the three-digit million range, is expecting the concert series to be a goldmine: Adele’s shows are expected to bring more than half a billion euros to the region – through income from restaurants, hotels, but also from the rent for the exhibition center.
In addition to Bavarian elements, Adele World also includes British elements, often with references to Adele’s career and her preferences. There is a typical red telephone box, like the one in an Adele video, and a replica of the pub where Adele had her first performances. Her favorite drinks are also served. And organizers say that Adele was personally involved in many of the details. For example, it was important to her that one of the gondolas on the Ferris wheel was also accessible for wheelchair users.
Nine more shows, then it will be dismantled – forever
But the entire complex system is to be dismantled immediately after the last concert at the end of August – irretrievably. “Never before and never again – this show only takes place here, only in Munich and only in this form,” organizer Marek Lieberberg assured.
There will be nine more concerts until then, the next one on Sunday evening. This time the weather forecast is much better. At the premiere, a downpour soaked the fans. However, the traffic disruptions in the area around the Munich trade fair will probably repeat, especially because many fans arrived by car. Hopefully the peaceful mood of the audience will repeat itself too: there were no major incidents, the police reported after the first concert.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
