When Adele announced her 2016 tour, it wasn’t just another pop star hitting the road to promote an album—it was an event. Tickets vanished in seconds. Fans across the globe scrambled, knowing they weren’t just going to see a performance, but to be part of something much more intimate. On September 25, 2016, that feeling was magnified when Adele brought her 25 tour to New York City’s most legendary venue: Madison Square Garden. What unfolded was a night of powerhouse vocals, unfiltered humor, deep emotion, and a reminder of why Adele is one of the most cherished voices of our time.
This wasn’t a show built on flashy production, pyrotechnics, or an over-the-top stage design. Instead, Adele relied on the basics—her voice, her stories, and a natural ability to connect with people as though she were chatting in someone’s living room. And in that way, the massive arena seemed to shrink into something far more personal.
The Setlist – A Blend of Classics and Soul-Baring New Material
Here’s the setlist from that night at Madison Square Garden:
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Hello
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Rumour Has It
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Water Under the Bridge
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One and Only
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Hometown Glory
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Love in the Dark
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Million Years Ago
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Don’t You Remember
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Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
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Skyfall
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Chasing Pavements
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Someone Like You
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Set Fire to the Rain
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All I Ask
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When We Were Young
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Rolling in the Deep
Encore:
17. Turning Tables
18. Remedy
It was a carefully curated journey through Adele’s catalog, balancing the global smashes with deep cuts and emotional highlights.
Opening with “Hello” – The Perfect Greeting
There could not have been a more fitting opener than “Hello.” The song that announced Adele’s return after her four-year hiatus opened the night with a bang. The first few notes sent a collective chill through the crowd. As Adele’s voice soared through MSG, it felt less like an introduction and more like an embrace—a signal that we were about to spend the night revisiting heartbreak, joy, and everything in between.
Live, “Hello” had a weight that transcended the radio version. Adele didn’t need any theatrics; her sheer vocal control and raw delivery were enough to make the crowd roar to its feet within minutes.
Balancing Playfulness and Heartache
From there, Adele shifted into “Rumour Has It” and “Water Under the Bridge,” two uptempo numbers that had the arena bouncing. Adele isn’t always thought of as a high-energy performer, but here she proved she can command a groove when she wants to. The live band leaned into a grittier sound, adding punch to “Rumour Has It,” while “Water Under the Bridge” showcased her ability to write anthems that feel as big as the emotions behind them.
Afterward, she slowed things down with “One and Only” and “Hometown Glory.” The latter, especially, resonated deeply in New York. With the screens projecting stunning visuals of city skylines, it became a love letter not just to Adele’s London roots but also to the very city she was performing in. Hearing Adele’s soaring voice wrapped around lyrics about home and belonging while sitting in the heart of Manhattan made for one of the most emotional highlights of the night.
Intimacy in the Middle of an Arena
What sets Adele apart from many other stadium-level artists is her ability to create intimacy in massive venues. Songs like “Love in the Dark” and “Million Years Ago” made MSG feel like a small jazz club. “Million Years Ago,” in particular, was stunning in its vulnerability. Adele sang it stripped down, her voice dripping with nostalgia and regret. You could hear the silence between her words—no rustling, no chatter—just a crowd completely still, hanging onto every syllable.
“Don’t You Remember” brought out more of that hushed reverence. Adele’s storytelling framed the song beautifully, as she joked about exes and heartache before launching into one of her most devastating ballads. Live, the song carried even more ache than its studio version.
Injecting Humor Between the Tears
What makes an Adele concert so unique isn’t just the songs, but how she ties them together with her personality. Between tracks, she cracked jokes, gossiped with fans, and occasionally veered off into hilarious tangents. She teased about sweating under the lights, commented on the absurdity of performing in such a huge venue, and even paused to take selfies with fans.
Her humor acted as the perfect counterbalance to the heavy subject matter of her songs. One moment you’d be wiping away tears after “Million Years Ago,” and the next you’d be doubled over laughing at Adele poking fun at herself. This rhythm of sorrow and laughter made the evening feel authentic—it was as though Adele was letting us experience her entire personality, not just the curated pop-star version.
Showstoppers and Surprises
The middle section of the show delivered some of the most unforgettable moments.
When Adele launched into “Skyfall,” the grandeur of the Bond theme fully came alive in the arena. The cinematic arrangement, paired with Adele’s commanding voice, made it one of the night’s true showstoppers. It was dramatic, goosebump-inducing, and a reminder of how her career has transcended traditional pop stardom.
“Chasing Pavements” followed, sending long-time fans back to her debut album. Then came perhaps the emotional pinnacle: “Someone Like You.” This song has become synonymous with Adele concerts, and when she played it, the entire crowd sang along at full volume. Adele often jokes about how she can barely get through the song anymore because the audience drowns her out, and this night was no different. It was less a performance and more a shared catharsis. Thousands of voices echoing heartbreak together—it was one of those moments you can only experience live.
Building Toward the Finale
The energy surged again with “Set Fire to the Rain.” Live, the song transformed into a stadium anthem. The stage production here leaned into the drama, with lighting and effects matching the explosive power of the chorus. Adele belted it out with fiery passion, and the arena erupted.
Then she brought everyone back into a more reflective space with “All I Ask.” This song, one of the gems from 25, was delivered with breathtaking vulnerability. Stripped of heavy production, it gave her voice the room to shine in all its raw beauty.
“When We Were Young” followed, perfectly encapsulating nostalgia and the bittersweet passage of time. The crowd swayed together, as if the song’s reflection on growing older resonated with everyone in different ways.
Closing the main set with “Rolling in the Deep” was the only logical choice. The song that catapulted Adele into superstardom was as ferocious as ever live. The stomping beat, the audience clapping along, and Adele’s powerhouse vocals made it the climax of the evening. MSG was shaking by the time she walked off stage.
The Encore – A Gentle Goodbye
After the thunderous applause, Adele returned for a two-song encore that perfectly balanced tenderness and closure.
She began with “Turning Tables.” Its aching vulnerability reminded everyone of why Adele has always been more than just a pop star—she’s a storyteller of the human condition. Every lyric about love, conflict, and resilience hit harder in the quiet of the encore.
Finally, she closed with “Remedy,” a fitting choice for a goodbye. The song’s message of comfort and healing was the perfect way to end the night. As Adele sang, it felt as though she was personally thanking every fan for sharing in the experience with her. The arena was left in a hushed awe as the lights came up.
A Night That Defined Adele
What made Adele’s Madison Square Garden show so unforgettable wasn’t just her voice, though it was flawless. It wasn’t just the setlist, though it hit every note fans could hope for. It was the way she made the largest arena in New York feel like an intimate gathering.
She created a space where laughter and tears lived side by side. Where heartbreak was communal. Where vulnerability wasn’t weakness but strength.
This was Adele at her very best—funny, soulful, commanding, and authentic. For two hours, she reminded New York why she is not just a singer, but one of the most important artists of her generation.
As fans spilled out into the Manhattan night after that final note of “Remedy,” it was clear they hadn’t just witnessed a concert. They had experienced something rare and unforgettable—an evening where music and humanity collided in the most beautiful way.