Weekends with Adele
Weekends with Adele is a concert residency by English singer-songwriter Adele, performed at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1] The production, which features two shows per weekend, originally consisted of 32 dates scheduled from January to April 2022 in support of her fourth studio album, 30, but was postponed hours before opening night due to production delays and COVID-19 illnesses among the crew.[2][3][4] It ultimately premiered on November 18, 2022, and ran for 100 performances until its conclusion on November 23, 2024, following multiple extensions that added over 60 dates.[5][6][7] The residency's setlist draws from Adele's entire discography, with a focus on tracks from 30 such as "Easy on Me" and "I Drink Wine," alongside hits like "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You."[6] Adele described the shows as an intimate, cabaret-style experience in the 4,100-seat venue, emphasizing personal storytelling and audience interaction, which contributed to its emotional depth and critical acclaim.[6] Despite further postponements in 2024 due to Adele's health issues, including vocal strain, the production grossed $220 million, making it one of the highest-earning residencies in Las Vegas history.[8][9] Throughout its run, Weekends with Adele faced logistical challenges, including the initial cancellation that drew widespread media attention after Adele's tearful Instagram video explaining the setbacks.[4] Extensions were announced in phases, with additional blocks in 2023 and 2024 to meet demand, culminating in a sold-out finale that Adele hailed as a "life-changing" milestone in her career.[10][7] The residency not only marked Adele's return to live performances after a six-year hiatus but also showcased elaborate staging with chandeliers, confetti, and a grand piano, enhancing her signature soulful delivery.[6]Background and development
Announcement
On November 30, 2021, Adele announced her first concert residency, titled Weekends with Adele, via a tweet and an official press release from Caesars Entertainment.[11][12] In her tweet, she simply stated, "See you at Caesars in Vegasss," teasing the upcoming performances at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.[12] The residency was positioned as an intimate return to live performing, marking her first such series after a five-year hiatus from touring following her 2016–2017 world tour.[3][13] The planned schedule included 24 shows across 12 weekends, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays from January 21 to April 16, 2022.[11][2] Tailored to the venue's 4,100-seat capacity, the format emphasized a close-up experience, drawing primarily from her albums 21 (2011), 25 (2015), and the newly released 30 (2021).[3][14] Adele described the residency as a way to reconnect with audiences without the demands of a full tour, noting in a contemporaneous interview that extensive traveling felt "too unpredictable" amid ongoing pandemic restrictions and her priority to stay close to her son, Angelo.[15] Initial ticket promotions featured a presale for American Express cardholders and Ticketmaster Verified Fans starting November 30, 2021, followed by a general sale on December 7, 2021.[11][16] This structure aimed to prioritize dedicated fans while managing high demand for the limited-run engagement.[17]Postponements and delays
On January 20, 2022, the day before the scheduled opening of her Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Adele announced the postponement of all 24 initial dates of Weekends with Adele, citing a combination of logistical and health challenges.[4] The decision was attributed to half the production crew being sidelined by COVID-19 infections, ongoing delivery delays for equipment exacerbated by the pandemic, incomplete rehearsals, and Adele's own vocal strain from illness.[18][19] In an emotional video message shared on social media, Adele tearfully explained the personal toll of the situation, describing it as the "worst moment in my career" and revealing that she had been unable to complete rehearsals without breaking down.[20] She emphasized the severity of the production setbacks, noting that the show was "nowhere near finished" and that recent COVID cases among her team had halted progress entirely.[21] Adele personally reached out to some affected ticket holders via video calls to apologize, highlighting the intimate impact on fans who had traveled for the debut.[22] The postponement sparked significant public backlash, with fans expressing frustration over the last-minute notice, financial losses from non-refundable travel arrangements, and accusations of poor planning despite the high anticipation following the residency's November 2021 announcement.[23] Social media erupted with disappointment, though Adele's team assured that original tickets would be honored for rescheduled dates, and refunds were offered to those unable to attend.[19] On July 25, 2022, Adele confirmed the rescheduling of the 24 postponed shows, along with eight additional dates, to run from November 18, 2022, through March 25, 2023, at the same venue.[24] Priority access for the new schedule was given to original ticket holders.[25]Production and content
Synopsis
Weekends with Adele consists of intimate, high-production concert performances held on Fridays and Saturdays at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, a 4,100-seat theater in Las Vegas, with each show lasting more than two hours and featuring approximately 20 songs drawn primarily from Adele's albums 21, 25, and 30, alongside select covers and surprise elements. There are no opening acts, allowing the residency to center on Adele's vocals and storytelling in a format that blends emotional depth with theatrical spectacle. The performances emphasize her career-spanning hits, creating a celebratory atmosphere that highlights personal growth and musical evolution without delving into exhaustive biographical narrative.[26][27][28] The staging, designed by Stufish Entertainment Architects, incorporates a custom scenic environment with accordion-like sliding panels forming an "A" motif as a central backdrop, elevated platforms on which the full band and three backing vocalists perform, cascading chandeliers, and dynamic effects such as confetti drops and pyrotechnics integrated into key moments. Lighting designer Cory FitzGerald employs a rig of moving heads and LED fixtures to balance intimacy and grandeur, illuminating Adele's movements across the stage while maintaining focus on her delivery. Adapted from a traditional proscenium theater layout, the in-the-round-inspired setup uses automation and LED integration to draw the audience closer, despite the venue's fixed architecture, resulting in a "living room" feel amid large-scale production.[29][27][30][31] Throughout the shows, Adele fosters direct audience connection through extended banter, sharing personal anecdotes and responding to fans in real time, which punctuates the musical segments and enhances the conversational, confessional tone of her discography. This interaction, often humorous or heartfelt, underscores the residency's emphasis on vulnerability and immediacy, with minimal physical staging distractions to prioritize vocal expression and emotional resonance.[32][33][27]Set list
The set list for Weekends with Adele consists of approximately 20 songs drawn primarily from Adele's studio albums 21 (2011), 25 (2015), and 30 (2021), arranged to create a narrative arc centered on themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth. The residency opens with the soaring ballad "Hello" from 25, setting an intimate tone with its piano-driven arrangement and emotional delivery, immediately followed by "Easy on Me" from 30.[34][35] Subsequent segments feature acoustic, piano-led renditions of early hits like "Turning Tables" and "Take It All" from 21, evoking raw vulnerability through stripped-down instrumentation that emphasizes Adele's vocal range. These give way to more energetic pop tracks such as "Water Under the Bridge" from 25 and "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" from the same album, with seamless transitions facilitated by thematic groupings—such as a block exploring resilience—including "Oh My God" and "Hold On" from 30. Representative selections also incorporate high-impact songs like "Rolling in the Deep" from 21 for its anthemic climax and "Skyfall" from the 2012 James Bond film soundtrack (also on 25), alongside a cover of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" reinterpreted in a soulful, orchestral style.[36][35] The performance builds to reflective ballads in the latter half, including "When We Were Young" from 25, "Someone Like You" from 21, and "Love Is a Game" from 30, often punctuated by audience sing-alongs that foster a communal atmosphere. The show concludes with "Love Is a Game" from 30, providing a cathartic close. Overall, the pacing spans roughly 120 minutes, balancing intimate acoustic moments with fuller band arrangements to maintain emotional depth without overwhelming the audience.[34][37]Personnel
The Weekends with Adele residency featured a core band that provided live instrumentation for every song, ensuring a fully authentic performance without any backing tracks. The band was led by pianist Eric Wortham II, Adele's longtime collaborator who opened each show accompanying her on a white grand piano for intimate renditions of tracks like "Hello." Supporting the rhythm section included a drummer, bassist, and guitarist, whose dynamic playing complemented Adele's powerful vocals across her catalog from soulful ballads to upbeat anthems. Percussionists and additional keyboardists enhanced the texture, while three backing vocalists delivered harmonies that amplified emotional peaks, such as in "One and Only," where they took lead lines as Adele contributed operatic ad-libs. The production incorporated a 24-piece string orchestra, positioned in a vertical scenic element to create an immersive soundscape that blended with the band's rock-oriented setup. Of these musicians, 16 were local Las Vegas talents, contributing to the residency's community ties and the lush, orchestral arrangements that underscored Adele's vocal delivery. The orchestra's live strings added depth to slower numbers and grandeur to finales, maintaining a balance that highlighted the singer's range without overpowering her. Key production staff included show directors Matt Askem and Kim Gavin, who shaped the intimate yet theatrical format emphasizing Adele's seated performances with minimal choreography to focus on emotional connection. Production manager Paul English oversaw logistics for the weekend schedule at The Colosseum. On the audio side, front-of-house engineer Dave Bracey mixed the show on a DiGiCo Quantum338 console, prioritizing vocal clarity and instrument separation, while system engineer Johnny Keirle managed the L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive system to deliver consistent sound quality throughout the venue. This technical team ensured the live band's energy and the orchestra's subtlety supported Adele's storytelling, fostering an atmosphere of raw intimacy in the 4,100-seat theater.Performance history
Schedule and extensions
Following the postponement of its original January 2022 start, the Weekends with Adele residency was rescheduled to commence on 18 November 2022 and run through 25 March 2023, comprising 34 performances held over 17 weekends at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas (original 32 dates plus two added New Year's Eve shows on December 30–31, 2022).[38][39] Due to overwhelming demand and the residency's sold-out status, Adele announced an extension on 26 March 2023 via social media, adding 34 dates from 16 June to 4 November 2023, allowing the shows to continue through the end of that year.[40][41] In October 2023, she revealed another extension on Instagram, incorporating 32 additional performances from 19 January to 15 June 2024, which she described as the final leg, citing her renewed love for live performing as a key factor.[42][43] In early 2024, ten March dates were postponed due to Adele's health issues and rescheduled to October and November, extending the residency's conclusion to 23 November 2024.[44] The shows maintained a primary frequency of two performances per weekend on Fridays and Saturdays, with occasional midweek additions in the final months to accommodate the adjusted timeline.[7] Over its two-year run from November 2022 to November 2024, the residency totaled 100 shows, driven by sustained fan enthusiasm and Adele's personal fulfillment from the experience.[45][6]List of shows
The Weekends with Adele residency featured 100 performances, all held at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, spanning from November 18, 2022, to November 23, 2024. The venue's capacity is 4,100, and the series drew approximately 410,000 attendees overall, with an average of 4,100 per show reflecting near-universal sellouts.[46] The residency followed a weekend format of two shows per weekend (typically Fridays and Saturdays), across multiple extensions. The opening weekend on November 18–19, 2022, attracted 4,100 fans each night. In early 2024, ten March shows were postponed due to Adele's recurring illness impacting her voice and were rescheduled to October and November 2024. The series concluded with an emotional final performance on November 23, 2024, during which Adele delivered a tearful onstage speech expressing gratitude to fans, her team, and the city of Las Vegas.[47][8][5] The complete list of performed shows is presented below. Attendance was consistently at capacity (4,100) unless otherwise noted; no specific deviations are reported for individual dates beyond the totals.| Date | City/Venue | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 18, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Opening night; residency launch after delays. |
| November 19, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | First weekend conclusion. |
| November 25, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| November 26, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| December 2, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| December 3, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| December 9, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| December 10, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| December 16, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| December 17, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| December 23, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Holiday shows. |
| December 24, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Holiday shows. |
| December 30, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Added New Year's Eve weekend. |
| December 31, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Added New Year's Eve weekend. |
| January 20, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| January 21, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| January 27, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| January 28, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 3, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 4, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 10, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 11, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 17, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 18, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 24, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 25, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| March 3, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| March 4, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| March 10, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| March 11, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| March 17, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| March 18, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| March 24, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | First leg conclusion. |
| March 25, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| June 16, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Second leg opening. |
| June 17, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| June 23, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| June 24, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| June 30, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| July 1, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Concert film recorded this weekend. |
| July 7, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| July 8, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| July 14, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| July 15, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| July 21, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| July 22, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| July 28, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| July 29, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| August 4, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| August 5, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| August 11, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| August 12, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| August 18, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| August 19, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| August 25, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| August 26, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 1, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 2, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 8, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 9, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 15, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 16, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 22, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 23, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 29, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| September 30, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| October 6, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| October 7, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| October 13, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| October 14, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| October 20, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| October 21, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| October 27, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| October 28, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| November 3, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| November 4, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Second leg conclusion. |
| January 19, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Third leg opening. |
| January 20, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| January 26, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| January 27, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 2, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 3, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 9, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 10, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 16, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 17, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 23, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| February 24, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| May 17, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Resumption after March postponement. |
| May 18, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| May 24, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| May 25, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| May 31, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| June 1, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Third leg temporary conclusion. |
| June 7, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| June 8, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| June 14, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| June 15, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| October 25, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Rescheduled from March 1, 2024 (illness postponement). |
| October 26, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Rescheduled from March 2, 2024. |
| November 1, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Rescheduled from March 8, 2024. |
| November 2, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Rescheduled from March 9, 2024. |
| November 8, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Rescheduled from March 15, 2024. |
| November 9, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Rescheduled from March 16, 2024. |
| November 15, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Rescheduled from March 22, 2024. |
| November 16, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Rescheduled from March 23, 2024. |
| November 22, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | |
| November 23, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV / The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | 4,100 | Final show; emotional farewell speech. |