Adele is set to surprise her fans with a unique concert experience as she plans to deploy a “one-off, bespoke pop-up stadium” for a series of concerts in Munich, marking her first mainland Europe performances since 2016. The acclaimed singer, known for her chart-topping hits and multiple Grammy awards, will stage four concerts in Munich in August, introducing a stadium designed specifically for these shows.
Expressing her initial reluctance to consider new live dates after her 2022 concert in London’s Hyde Park and her ongoing Las Vegas residency ending in June, Adele revealed her curiosity about the idea of a pop-up stadium. She shared her excitement on Instagram, describing the concept as a “bit random but still fabulous.” The pop-up stadium will be located in Munich, centrally positioned in Europe and coinciding with the aftermath of the Euros and the upcoming Olympics, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Renderings of the stadium showcase a clamshell-shaped design adorned with bright borders and a semi-circular walkway leading to a B-stage. This design mirrors, on a grander scale, the theatrical stage setup Adele has employed during her Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace since November 2022. Known for her hands-on involvement in production design, Adele’s commitment to creating an intimate and connected concert experience is evident.
The concept of pop-up venues has been explored by other artists, such as Abba with their immersive Abba Voyage concerts held in a bespoke arena in east London. The adaptable steel and timber building used for the concerts in London can be dismantled and rebuilt. In the sports world, a pop-up stadium was constructed for the Qatar World Cup in 2022, named Stadium 974, utilizing 974 shipping containers in its design.
Looking ahead, a 34,000-capacity pop-up stadium is in the planning stages in New York, aiming to host matches for cricket’s T20 World Cup. This initiative by the International Cricket Council seeks to boost the popularity of cricket in the United States, emphasizing the versatility and temporary nature of pop-up stadium structures.
Adele’s decision to employ a custom-designed pop-up stadium reflects her commitment to creating a distinctive and memorable concert experience for her audience in Munich, marking a significant return to mainland Europe after a six-year hiatus.