The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is a venue built for voices. It was created almost 20 years ago specifically for one of the original pop divas, Celine Dion—its towering mezzanines and ceiling-high projection screens conceptualized with her powerhouse performances in mind. And it was that level of intention that finally convinced Adele, the record-shattering, Grammy- and Oscar-winning British pop icon, to make it the setting of her five-month residency, "Weekends with Adele."
We know this because she told the crowd as much last Friday during the show’s debut. In between booming renditions of hits like "Hello" and "Easy On Me," she appeared visibly emotional about performing in front of a crowd of her staunchest supporters. "Thank you for coming back to me," she said to the audience after finishing her first song, referencing the year-long delay in getting the residency off the ground. "Cancelling this show a year ago was the hardest decision I ever made — but it was also the best one."
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Describing the performance as "well worth the wait" is an understatement. Adele isn’t an artist who tours often, let alone releases music regularly. The gap between her most recent record, 30, and her previous album, 25, was six full years.
She takes her time because she wants to perfect every element of the experience — the music, the lyrics, the visuals, the performance. The attention to detail was apparent during the production: Polaroid-shaped confetti, simultaneous on-stage rain and fire, and even a Vegas-appropriate disappearing act for the concert’s finale were all incorporated into the two-hour long show.
But at the end of the day, all she really needs is a piano and people would still pay to watch. Her voice could fill any stadium in the world, but, as she explained during the concert, that’s not what she wants for herself or her fans. She’d prefer to sit on the edge of the stage (preferably while clad in a custom Schiaparelli gown and Lorraine Schwartz diamonds) and take a selfie with a fan, or wade through the crowd and ask people where they’re from, or hug a drag queen dressed in her image. "I couldn’t be with you all like this if we were in a stadium," she explained.
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It’s a rarity to see someone at Adele’s level be so emotionally vulnerable and available for fans, especially in Las Vegas of all places. (Though it comes at a cost, of course; resale tickets are going for as high as $20,000 for a front row seat.) Though we’ve seen a number of A-List acts — the Britneys, the Gagas, and the Janets of the world — play in Vegas, Adele’s new residency feels especially high-end. Las Vegas can be a weird place (full stop) but it’s always aimed for luxury, too, and what’s more luxurious than a nearly-impossible-to-buy seat to hear one of the most universally adored voices of our generation?
Caesars is acutely aware of the high-roller clientele that’s drawn towards Adele, and the company has revamped its flagship resort accordingly over the last two years. Discreet, in-house hidden villas (which have hosted the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Lizzo) feature full-size private pools, 24/7 chef service, and state-of-the-art theater rooms, while new hospitality additions such as Amalfi by Bobby Flay and longtime celebrity favorite sushi spot Nobu attract top-tier gourmands.
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It’s enough to make you wonder if Las Vegas is entering a new era of luxe. Rather than being a farewell ground for artists of yesteryear, the city is now regularly providing fans a chance to connect with their favorite acts in more intimate settings — and the bigger the star, the more special the experience. "Weekends with Adele" marks a chance to see a formidable pop star at her peak, and builds excitement for what’s to come after, for her and for Vegas.
