Adele, the well-known “Easy on Me” singer, has shown that even while performing, she remains an ardent follower of the 2024 Olympics.
During her concert in Munich on Saturday, August 3, the 36-year-old paused her show to catch the women’s 100-meter final, an event in Paris.
The unexpected break was captured in a video shared on social media, showing Adele halting her performance to watch and cheer for the athletes.
The clip shows Adele walking towards the back of the stage, and the camera shifts from her to the track race, projecting the event on the jumbotron.
The crowd witnessed Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia clinching the gold with a remarkable time of 10.72 seconds, followed closely by Sha’Carri Richardson from Team USA.
Adele, moved by the event, urged the audience to applaud Alfred’s victory, exclaiming, “Let’s give her a round of applause!” before resuming her concert with a cheerful “Fantastic, St. Lucia!”
The night before, Adele had expressed her enthusiasm for the Olympics, sharing a humorous perspective on the athletes’ performances.
She joked about her lack of athletic prowess, saying, “While I was watching world-class athletes, I’d be like, ‘Oh, that landing was a bit dodgy, wasn’t it? Oh, her legs weren’t really straight.’ Meanwhile, if I tried anything that they do, I’d be dead.”
Her esteem extended to gymnast Simone Biles, whom she praised for her gold-winning performance, calling her “absolutely brilliant.”
Adele’s presence in Munich marks a significant return to mainland Europe, where she performs at the open-air venue Munich Messe, which accommodates 80,000 people.
The series of concerts, running through August 31, is her first in mainland Europe since 2016.
According to her statement on the residency’s website, Adele was initially content with her shows in London’s Hyde Park and her Las Vegas residency. Still, the unique opportunity to perform in Munich intrigued her.
“So a few months ago, I got a call about a summer run of shows,” Adele explained.
“I’ve been content as anything with my shows in London’s Hyde Park and my residency in Vegas, so I hadn’t had any other plans. However, I was too curious to not follow up and indulge in this idea — a one-off, bespoke pop-up stadium designed around whatever show I want to put on? Ohh!? Pretty much slap bang in the middle of Europe? In Munich? That’s a bit random, but still fabulous!”
Her excitement was further fueled by the timing of her concerts, coinciding with significant sporting events like the UEFA Championships and the Olympics.
“Right after the Euros? Come on, England! With the Olympics next door? Go on, Simone! And some of my favourite artists playing shows, too? Why…YES!! I haven’t played in Europe since 2016! I couldn’t think of a more wonderful way to spend my summer and end this beautiful phase of my life and career with shows closer to home during such an exciting summer,” she shared.
In addition to her concerts, Adele has been spotted enjoying the UEFA Championships in Germany alongside fellow artist Ed Sheeran. This blend of music and sports has added an extra layer of excitement to her European tour.
In a recent interview with the German outlet ZDF, Adele opened up about her plans, revealing that she is not working on new music.
“I don’t have any plans for new music at all,” she stated.
“I want a big break after this, and I think I want to do other creative things, just for a little while.”
This break will allow her to explore creative avenues and rest after her busy tour schedule.
Adele Perform in the Pouring Rain in Munich
Adele’s Munich concert series was hit by heavy rain on Wednesday night (14th August), but she didn’t let it dampen her spirits, delivering a captivating performance despite the downpour.
In a memorable moment, Adele joked with the audience, saying she’d be furious if the rain stopped during her performance of “Set Fire to the Rain”, and fan footage showed her belting out “Oh My God” as rain poured around her.
Adele’s Munich shows have been eventful, with her revealing her engagement to sports agent Rich Paul last week after three years of dating, and playfully responding to a fan’s proposal sign by showing off her engagement ring.
The singer’s relationship with Paul began in 2021, with the couple making their public debut at an NBA Finals game, and Adele will wrap up her 10-night Munich stand on August 31 before resuming her Las Vegas residency in October.