Music is healing. The last two years have proved that to be no different. I’ve been a fan of Adele’s for the last ten years. As an appreciation of the old school mixed with the new school rollout, I’m back to music blogging.
I became an A&R in 2020 after dreaming of being one since I was a child. Prior to that, I was a music event photographer. I was watching One Night Only on CBS not only from a fan’s perspective but from the creative’s perspective. I continued watching the Apple Music Interview on YouTube because as a podcaster, I am often intrigued by other interviews. Naturally, as a way to feel better I am often creatively inspired by music, movies, and biographies, documentaries – I love learning about other people’s lives.
So this post highlights my takeaways and impressions from the live event as well as the interview dissecting the behind the scenes of the album’s tracks.
Oprah interview and Live Performance
Setlist:
Hello
Easy On Me
Skyfall
I Drink Wine [New Song]
Someone Like You
When We Were Young
Make You Feel My Love (With a Surprise Proposal)
Hold On
Rolling in The Deep (water waves splashing on the griffin)
Love is a Game
After working at the Opry, I have a greater understanding of lighting and stage setups. I was fascinated by the entire production. The lighting on Griffith Park Observatory was superb.
I have had no desire to go to Los Angeles, but I just might, just to go see it. I was a violinist in middle school so the orchestra caught my eye. I would prefer to be behind the scenes.
I have never been a fan of Opera but I could sit in front of an outdoor performance like Adele’s, that’s how great it was.
As someone who wears hearing aids, I picked up on the fact that She had custom ear molds because most artists are taking them out so they can hear the music and their vocals.
It was perfect timing that Skyfall was being performed just as the sun was setting over beautiful Hollywood Hills.
While When We Were Young was performed, never before seen images of her life were projected on the Observatory.
Despite it being her first time seeing her son perform live, she still protected her son (he was not shown on camera) even though the new love of her life, RIch Paul, was shown to be there sitting next to Gayle King and Oprah.
With all the A-list guests, she wanted intimacy for her first time back on stage. Isn’t that the first thing you want to do? Go see friends and family and familiar places upon leaving quarantine?
Once it became dark, the seats where the audience were seated, were lit up with what looked like LED Lights.
In between the sets the Oprah Winfrey interview aired, which was filmed at Oprah’s LA house.
It was projected onto the outside of the Griffith Observatory.
QUOTABLES
When asked the reason behind the divorce, she referenced a lyric in her song, Love In the Dark, from album 25
“I want to live and not just survive”
When addressed about her weight loss, she said, “It’s not my job to validate how people feel about their bodies.”
While addressing the guilt behind the divorce, she said “I’ve been obsessed with a nuclear family because I never came from one.”
Like me, Adele grew up an only child (my half siblings are twice my age) and knew there was a song for everything. Understandably, she makes it her goal to focus on the legacy of music and nothing microwavable.
She understands herself and isn’t going to push herself vocally.
She said she’s open to having more children.
One of the most beautiful parts of the night was the proposal. Even the audience was crying. I don’t want that big of a proposal in my future but I’m sure that sets the record for the most romantic proposal.
Divorce and heartbreak is a universal language. She like myself, lost hope a couple of times. Not all divorces have to be ugly – her ex husband, Simon remain friends.
The Apple Music Interview with Zane Lowe is extra special, as it appears they have known each other for a while now. Relationships are your currency.
It truly appears she found herself in Los Angeles and the network of other women that understand her.
I’ve been preaching just how important the age of seven is in life, and Adele tackles anxiety and depression and advocates for a therapist.
Discipline goes a long way for anxiety (be it working out, or eating healthy or having a healthy amount of friends and tv shows around) in which Adele attested to.
She’s relatable. She maintains her sense of humor which has been there from the start of her career.
I’m convinced she is black in a white woman’s body because of how much soul she has. Having a voice like Adele’s, she truly does it effortlessly and with grace.
On a personal note – I’m happy she’s happy.
I was saying how she needs more fast and upbeat songs because I know I’m not the only one who loved Send My Love to your new lover from Album 25 and it looks like we’ll get a couple more of them in 30.
We need more creative women in this world and in this industry. Be sure to stream the album because you love it, not because you want to be hip to the trend.
Listen to my podcast, See Life Different
Recommended episodes
How I Managed My Difficult Divorce
Leah
Lameka