Adele
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Thursday
Reviewed by Astrid Austin
Hello ... It's me ...
The voice of an Angel transported me back to the first time I heard her all those years ago and set the scene for what was yet to come.
Her signature eye-lashes flickered and the 360-degree screen lifted up, exposing a familiar face, adorned in a sequined red dress.
After seven years of waiting to see Adele live, yet resigning myself to the fact it would take more than a miracle for her to make an appearance on the other side, it was an out of body experience.
Despite starting later than planned, Adele certainly didn't disappoint, providing a polished 18-song set-list that took the audience on a journey through sight and sound.
Her moving rendition of 'Hometown Glory', which recognises her longing for her hometown of London, also paid homage to Auckland, with visuals of local landmarks; the Sky Tower, Princess Wharf, Town Hall and One Tree Hill.
'Set Fire to The Rain' saw her become encased in a waterfall in a dramatic moment that was only topped when the slow-build of her Oscar-winning Bond theme 'Skyfall' reached its epic crescendo.
Adele dedicated her song 'Make You Feel My Love' to the lives lost in the London attack on Wednesday and had everyone waving their lit-up phones in support, creating a fitting somber atmosphere.
"Today there was a terror attack in my hometown of London ... I want them to see the lights and know we are thinking of them."
'Chasing Pavements' reminded me of when I first fell under Adele's spell.
But it was more than just her vocals, it was the songstress herself. Her self-deprication, her sense of humour, her contagious cackle and most importantly her ability to make you feel like she was only there for you is what undoubtedly attracts so many fans.
She screamed in absolute terror when bugs invaded the stage, crawling on the stage, and proceeded to bring a fan onstage to assist, taking a selfie in return.
At that point in time, my own fear of bugs had escaped me and I was willing to do anything in return for a few fleeting moments in her company.
Throughout her two-hour show, she gave justice to all three of her albums, singing better than the recorded versions.
Unlike other artists, her sincerity shines through.
'When we were Young', accompanied with pictures from her childhood and the upbeat 'Rolling in the Deep' prefaced her final song of the evening.
She fittingly finished with the song that undoubtedly changed her life - 'Someone Like You', rousing the crowd and bringing tears to almost everyone's eyes, including hers.
Before we knew it, she was walking through the 45,000 strong crowd, disappearing in what was a surreal moment.
There was never any question it would exceed expectations, yet it did more than that, it provided a life-long memory that will forever be etched in my mind.