logo
Lana Del Rey at Wembley review: her voice is enthralling but the night is uneven

Lana Del Rey at Wembley review: her voice is enthralling but the night is uneven

Yahooa day ago
It's gone nine o'clock in Wembley Stadium and there is no sign of Lana Del Rey. True to form, the American singer is fashionably late to her own show — that London noise curfew be damned. Staff entertain the crowd by setting off Mexican waves. Nobody seems to mind that much.
All the criticisms from her earlier shows hold true. This is not a multi-hour marathon a la Taylor or Beyoncé. Instead, there's a casual 90-hour run time with multiple breaks for dancers to perform dream ballets to an eerie hologram of Del Rey. One is a cover for a (barely noticeable) costume change, the other seemingly just because. Only 12 or so of her own songs are sung live; the rest are recordings or covers.
But when she sings there is something alchemical, like she's pulling it from another dimension. Some lines do tail away, Del Rey staring with that blank-eyed look she has perfected. But this is all part of her Fifties-housewife-on-Quaaludes shtick. Then she turns around and has fun with it, embellishing her most famous lines with ease. She appears to have wisely dissolved her lip fillers, allowing for every pout, snarl and lip quiver to deliver on the jumbotron.
Although compact, the set list has some excellent runs. Chemtrails Over The Country Club is followed by Ultraviolence, at which point the stage breaks out in blood-red strobing. Ride and then Video Games. Young and Beautiful, Summertime Sadness and Born to Die come in a flurry, followed by — in a fabulous surprise — Venice Bitch. As Del Rey herself pointed out, she hasn't sung that one live for years.
The covers are all excellent choices, thematically on point and showcasing Del Rey's ability to make a song entirely her own. Her version of Tammy Wynette's Stand By Your Man is goosebump-raising. Addison Rae, who was a delight as the opening act, joins Del Rey on stage towards the end for a rendition of her hit Diet Pepsi.
As for the staging, it's... a lot. Maybe it could best be described as a Southern Gothic twist on Miss Havisham. Del Rey enters through the front door of a peeling blue clapboard house, draping herself around a rickety porch in a yellowed lace dress. Dancers haunt the swampy stage in white dresses like an Americana Gisele. Del Rey - dressed in custom Valentino, designed by Creative Director Alessandro Michele - sits on a swing as though Fragonard painted her in Florida. There's a bridal prosession where flowers pop out of the stage in sync with Del Rey's steps, leading to a rose arch on a scissor lift.
Every image is beautiful and strange, like a moodboard left out to get mildewed and stained. But often the staging felt over-busy, with Del Rey lost in the maelstrom. Did we really need the pole dancers shimmying up old-fashioned street lights, fans and feathers whirling and twirling, a piano that rose from the podium just to drip water. Her repertoire's themes of self-destructive love can stand alone. It doesn't need to be underscored to literally by setting fire to the house while singing about setting a house on fire.
Unfortunately, the spectacle can feel like a cover for Del Rey's laconic performing style. It feels churlish to compare Del Rey to the other women artists currently tour. Perhaps seeing Charli xcx, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo alone in the past month has blown my tastebuds out for pop extravaganzas and feats of physical and emotional exertion.
Del Rey's voice is so wondrous, her every micro expression so enthralling, that she could have performed alone on stage in a single spotlight and it would have been enough. But then, could they have charged so much for tickets?
Lana Del Rey at Wembley Stadium, 4 July, tickets and infomation here.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Beloved Rock Guitarist Steps Back From Band Following Injury
Beloved Rock Guitarist Steps Back From Band Following Injury

Yahoo

time12 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Beloved Rock Guitarist Steps Back From Band Following Injury

Beloved Rock Guitarist Steps Back From Band Following Injury originally appeared on Parade. may have a packed touring schedule for the rest of the summer but they'll be doing it without longtime guitarist Joe Trohman. The "Sugar We're Going Down" rockers recently announced that Trohman would be taking a step back from touring responsibilities while dealing with an ongoing hand injury. In a statement on social media, Trohman explained that he would be undergoing surgery on his hand soon. "After years of managing ongoing issues with my right hand, it's become clear that I need surgery to avoid permanent damage. Unfortunately, this means I'll have to take the rest of the year off from playing with the band," Trohman shared on the band's account. He added that while he won't be on the road for the foreseeable future, the "silver lining" is that he's "on track for a full recovery." 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 As for the rest of the band, Trohman says the group will continue with all prior engagements — and he can't wait to get back on the road with them. "The band will still be playing all scheduled shows. I'm looking forward to recovering so I can get back out there with the guys," he wrote, adding a thank you to fans for their "love and support." This isn't the first time that Trohman has had to take a step back from the band. In early 2023, he took a brief hiatus while dealing with personal issues, sharing with fans that his mental health had "rapidly deteriorated over the past several years." During his time away from the spotlight, Fall Out Boy continued touring with the help of guitarist Ben Young. While Trohman was able to return a few months later, it's unclear who will be taking his place during the upcoming 2025 tour dates. As of now, Trohman has yet to undergo surgery, but wishing him a speedy recovery. Beloved Rock Guitarist Steps Back From Band Following Injury first appeared on Parade on Jul 7, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.

AC/DC Energize As ‘Power Up' Tour Continues
AC/DC Energize As ‘Power Up' Tour Continues

Forbes

timean hour ago

  • Forbes

AC/DC Energize As ‘Power Up' Tour Continues

AC/DC perform on stage during the 'Power Up' tour. Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Soldier Field in ... More Chicago, IL 'Hello!' greeted singer Brian Johnson as AC/DC took to the stage in Chicago as the American leg of their 'Power Up' tour wound down. 'It's been too long. Where you been?' joked the singer, rejoining the band for this tour for the first time since 2016 (following a one off performance in 2023). 'We're gonna play some rock and roll so let's have a party!' A party atmosphere is indeed what AC/DC has created over the course of 17 albums spread across five decades. Their 1980 effort Back In Black, a tribute to original vocalist Bon Scott, remains the second best selling album in music history, part of a catalog that's sold in excess of 200 million records worldwide, rendering AC/DC one of the best selling groups ever. Brian Johnson (left) and Angus Young (right) perform on stage during AC/DC's 'Power Up' tour. ... More Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL In 2016, Johnson left the band due to hearing issues, replaced for the remaining 22 shows of AC/DC's 'Rock or Bust' tour by Guns N' Roses vocalist Axl Rose, eventually returning for 2020's Power Up album, with the group finally taking to the road in support of it following the quarantine of pandemic via the 'Power Up" tour, an outing which resumes Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Düsseldorf, Germany, before wrapping up this December in the group's home country of Australia. 'Chicago, we have officially hit my favorite part of the set, where the sun has gone down and the horns have gone up,' mused The Pretty Reckless singer and guitarist Taylor Momsen on stage at dusk inside Chicago's Soldier Field, clad in a Chicago Bears jersey. 'Get your hands in the air - every one of you!' she continued, setting up 'Going To Hell' late in the band's energetic 55 minute opening set. Momsen was referencing the group's patented red, light up devil horns, of which a quick look at the sold out crowd of nearly 62,000 indicated a staggering number of sales of the $25 souvenirs numbering easily in the thousands. Taylor Momsen performs on stage with The Pretty Reckless as the opening act for AC/DC. Saturday, May ... More 24, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL Guitarist Angus Young marched straight down the runway from the stage set up in the football stadium's north end zone, stopping about the 10 yard line to rip his first solo of the evening as AC/DC revisited their momentous sixth studio album, the Mutt Lange-produced Highway To Hell, Scott's last. Johnson's vocal wasn't perfect as the group moved to 'Back In Black,' but it was good enough, with the vocalist, 77, smiling wide as he continued a well-deserved victory lap on stage in Chicago. Cool white lights bathed the crowd as black and white images of the band appeared on three massive screens, with Young skipping the megahit to conclusion. New bassist Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction) chugged along, adding a backing vocal during 'Demon Fire' from the Power Up album. Stevie Young (left) and Angus Young (right) perform on stage with AC/DC during the 'Power Up' tour. ... More Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL Power Up is AC/DC's first studio effort since the 2017 death of co-founding guitarist Malcolm Young, one of the best rhythm guitarists in rock history, who received a co-writing song credit on each of the album's dozen tracks. Rounding out the group on this run is Chaney and Malcolm's nephew Stevie Young on rhythm guitar alongside drummer Matt Laug, who steps in for Phil Rudd (who performed on the Power Up album). 'Alrighty, here we go,' said Johnson nonchalantly as the crowd began to simmer, fully aware of what was to come. From the group's 12th studio album The Razor's Edge in 1990, 'Thunderstruck' remains a showcase for Angus' still immense guitar playing prowess. Brian Johnson (left) and Angus Young (right) perform on stage with AC/DC during the 'Power Up' tour. ... More Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL While the song's opening trademark riffage was a tad slow early, the band soon kicked in to drive the rollicking take on the number, with Angus, 70, jacket off now, pumping his right fist as he marched on stage. Stopping for a moment, the guitarist faced off with Johnson during a quick respite. 'I was shaking at the knees!' exclaimed the singer, kicking it back in. 'Thunderstruck' signaled the start of a murderer's row of AC/DC hits, with 'Have a Drink on Me' and 'Hells Bells' following. A giant bell bearing the iconic AC/DC logo descended from the stage as the unmistakable intro to 'Hells Bells' was struck, with Johnson pumping both fists in the air triumphantly as Laug began the legendary anthem. Angus Young performs on stage with AC/DC during the 'Power Up' tour. Saturday, May 24, 2025 at ... More Soldier Field in Chicago, IL No one does rock anthems better than AC/DC, with pyro flaring up beneath the massive video screen, soaring as the house lights went up, lighting up the ocean, as the band tore into 'Highway To Hell. Angus came running back from the b stage as the song neared its conclusion. 'Are you ready? Do it with us!' instructed Johnson, delivering the song's iconic close as the lead guitarist threw up the horns to the delight of the massive throng. Angus spastically shredded, racing up and down the fretboard as Chaney's bass drove a propulsive take on 'Sin City,' cupping his ear as he egged on the crowd. Chipping in on vocals, Angus joined Johnson during 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,' tearing through a solo out of nowhere as the track wrapped. Brian Johnson performs on stage with AC/DC during the 'Power Up' tour. Saturday, May 24, 2025 at ... More Soldier Field in Chicago, IL While Rose dusted off 'Riff Raff' in 2016, a classic deep cut from the band's stellar Scott-fronted 1978 fifth record Powerage, Johnson took his first ever stab at it in 2023, with Stevie Young ripping away on rhythm as Angus rocked out in Chicago (the backing band was particularly crucial on the sped up, unrestrained effort). 'Knocking me out with those Chicago thighs,' sang Johnson with a wink, reworking the lyrics of 'You Shook me all Night Long' as AC/DC cruised toward the finish line in the Windy City - but not before a guitar solo for the ages. 'Let There be Rock' isn't exactly slow but on stage in Chicago, AC/DC managed to speed it up nevertheless, with Young taking his tie off as he began a guitar solo that would ultimately clock in excess of a whopping 20 minutes. Angus Young performs on stage with AC/DC during the 'Power Up' tour. Saturday, May 24, 2025 at ... More Soldier Field in Chicago, IL At the four minute mark, Young stepped onto a hydraulic lift, soaring into the air. Two minutes later, he laid down on the runway as confetti soared. At around 14 minutes, the song itself ended and the band departed - but Angus refused to stop, moving to an upper tier of the stage above the drumkit for the first time as he laid waste to his axe. The crowd was right there with him as the band returned, with Angus taking a bow a staggering 22 minutes after 'Let There be Rock' actually began. The crowd pumped their fists in unison to the 'Oi's!' as AC/DC kicked off encore with 'TNT.' A 12 gun salute rang out across Soldier Field, with a dozen functioning cannons firing in real time as the song progressed. Fireworks soon soared overhead as the group closed up a two hour and 15 minute performance with arguably the ultimate AC/DC anthem in 'For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).' 'Thank you, Chicago,' said Johnson, taking stock of the immense AC/DC audience. 'You've been brilliant.'

Lewis Capaldi Performs ‘Survive,' Talks Stage Return and Upcoming EP on ‘Good Morning America'
Lewis Capaldi Performs ‘Survive,' Talks Stage Return and Upcoming EP on ‘Good Morning America'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Lewis Capaldi Performs ‘Survive,' Talks Stage Return and Upcoming EP on ‘Good Morning America'

Lewis Capaldi dropped in to Good Morning America on Monday morning (July 7) for his first TV performance in more than two years as part of the show's Summer Concert Series. In addition to performing a pair of songs with a full band during the visit — including an emotional run through his new single, 'Survive,' as well as his breakthrough 2019 smash 'Someone You Loved,' the most-streamed song of all time in the U.K. — Capaldi broke some news during the chat. 'I don't know about an album, but hopefully it will be… I'm doing an EP at some point this year,' he said, joking that he wasn't sure if he was allowed to share the news, but was going to do it anyway. 'And then an album will follow maybe next year.' Capaldi did not provide the name of the EP or a targeted release date, but he also teased that there will be a another new song later this summer and then, 'another song after that and another song after that until the day I die.' More from Billboard Bands Continue Exiting Radar Festival Following Bob Vylan's Removal Sabrina Carpenter Brings Out Duran Duran for 'Hungry Like the Wolf' at BST Hyde Park BLACKPINK Returns with a Spectacular Opening of Their 'DEADLINE' World Tour in Goyang Capaldi gingerly stepped back into the spotlight at the Glastonbury Festival on June 27 with a brief set two years after the 28-year-old's last full show, which was also at the famed festival in 2023. During the previous gig, he'd struggled with a strained vocal cord and his Tourette's syndrome diagnosis, which manifested in a series of tics during his performance. That same day Capaldi announced that he was taking a break from touring to focus on his health. 'The fact that this probably won't come as a surprise doesn't make it any easier to write, but I'm very sorry to let you know I'm going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future,' he wrote to fans in June 2023. 'I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I'd hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I'm still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette's and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order so that I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.' Prior to his 2023 Glastonbury set, Capaldi had canceled a series of planned, sold out shows in Glasgow, Dublin, Norway and London. The singer discussed the intensive therapy he's been undergoing over the past two years on GMA, saying that his time out of the spotlight has involved, 'lots and lots of therapy. It's been nice, talking a lot about myself. Crying quite a lot over the last two years… I've just been locking in and putting it all together and here we are.' Watch Capaldi on GMA below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store