Adele drops new video amid 12-hour rehearsal days
Adele was not a fan of the water effect in the first version of her show planned the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. She said in in August that the fake lake “looked great for a couple of songs, and then didn’t do anything. It was just there.”
But Adele is diving into an aquatic sequence in her new video. Some of the artistry would work well in “O,” actually.
Had the loveliest night last night with some of you. Thank you so much for coming. So glad I got to meet you all individually too it really warmed my heart getting to know you a bit. The I Drink Wine video is out now. https://t.co/wM2luZDQqE pic.twitter.com/IEIxPoQJii
— Adele (@Adele) October 26, 2022
In “I Drink Wine,” released Wednesday morning, the 34-year-old superstar glides casually along a creek on a red, floating chair. A pianist plays the song from a bridge above. A dozen dancers perform synchronized whimsy in the watery stage.
There is a stream of such images in the new video, arriving less than a month from the Nov. 18 opening of “Weekends With Adele.”
On Tuesday night, during a fan event in West Hollywood, Adele said she was hard at work rehearsing for her new Vegas show. The session was hosted by the social-media comedian Benito Skinner (known professionally as Benny Drama).
A fan asked Adele if she had heard Taylor Swift’s latest album, “Midnights.” According to an account in the Independent, the superstar said, “I haven’t. But the only reason I haven’t listened is ‘cause I’ve been in rehearsals for like 12 hours a f***ing day.” Adele is adept at kicking out the odd profanity.
These rehearsals have reportedly been in L.A. Adele has not yet rehearsed in the Colosseum for the new show. The headliner also said of Swift, “I think Taylor’s one of the greatest songwriters of our generation so I’ll definitely give it a listen.”
“I Drink Wine” is expected to be in the Colosseum show’s set list, given the timing of its release. Adele posted Tuesday, “The ‘I Drink Wine’ video was the first one I shot for this album. And it’s finally coming out tomorrow!! I’m excited for you to see it and I can’t wait to see some of you tonight!”
In the clip, Adele opens by pouring a glass of pink vino (seems to be rosé), then tosses the bottle into the water. As this happens, a formally dressed couple chats while seated on the bank.
Soon, an arm gripping a new bottle rises from the creek and refreshes Adele’s glass. At this, the star is surprised.
Adele sings, “We’re in love with the world, but the world just wants to bring us down/By putting ideas in our head that corrupt our hearts, somehow.”
A child drops a toy ship into the water, as an adult companion reads a book.
The scene then turns to an Esther Williams-style water number. A classic overhead shot shows a dozen artists, ringing the singer as she sings, “So I’m trying to get over myself/Stop trying to be somebody else.”
Adele’s river outfit is full glam, a gold-sequined gown fit for opening night or (in this instance) a rafting expedition.
Kendrick Sampson (Nathan on the HBO comedy-drama “Insecure”) appears as a fisherman in futile pursuit. Joe Talbot is the credited director. The 32-year-old filmmaker claimed the Best Director award at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival for “The Last Black Man in San Francisco.”
Adele reportedly intended to drop the video earlier but waited as “Weekends With Adele” was delayed and reset. The production opens a day before the one-year anniversary “30’s” release. Fans will lift a glass to that.
Bono’s memoir
Bono of U2 — should we say, incoming MSG Sphere resident headliner U2 — is releasing his memoir, “Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story,” on Tuesday.
This is the story of the U2 front man’s life, expressed through 40 songs, each of them a chapter.
The legendary rocker and activist joked to the Irish Times, “Now, I am a bookseller.”
It is a deeply personal autobiography. As usual, Bono is unflinching in his storytelling.
“I wrote the book to explain myself to myself and to my family, to my friends and to describe what I have done with my life and my family, what I have done with their lives because they ‘permissioned’ me to be away from home and from them,” he says. The book is a tribute to his wife, Ali, and four kids, activist/entrepreneur Jordan (33), actress Eve (31), singer Elijah (23) and rocker/rugby player John (21).
U2 formed in 1976 its original lineup of Bono, The Edge Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton still intact. The front man is resigned to the fact that the band has outlasted many of its original fans.
“I think I might quite like the ‘I’ve had enough of U2; it is the same players on the same team as it was in the 80s; it doesn’t matter if they are bringing home the silver,’ ” he says. Of his autobiography, he says, “It is much more the anatomy of a songwriter and a singer and a hooligan and a pilgrim and a husband and a father and all that.”
What Works in Vegas
“Menopause The Musical” is not a (hot) flash in the pan at Harrah’s Cabaret. The production has has expanded to nine shows per week with a 4 p.m. Thursday matinee. The schedule is now 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, with 4 p.m. matinees Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The production opened at the then-Las Vegas Hilton’s Shimmer Cabaret (today’s Westgate Cabaret) in 2006.
Diva Marino
Vegas drag icon Frank Marino’s next venture is slated to open Feb. 13 at Westgate.
“Frank Marino’s Divas” is the show’s tentative title. The Concierge Lounge Showroom is the venue’s tentative title.
According to producers Alan and Kathi Glist (who also produce “Menopause”), the show will run 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and also Saturdays.
And, ”Frank Marino Red Carpet Brunch” also set to start in February, running 11 a.m. Sundays and possibly Saturdays. The plan is to create something of a Marino empire in the former VIP enclave.
Marino is leaving his emcee post when “Legendary Divas” closes at Tropicana on Halloween. “Legends In Concert” shifts to an all-Elvis vibe with “Back in the Building” on from Nov. 4-Dec. 30.
Cool Hang Alert
Soul of Motown is hosting “Super Karaoke” at at 10 p.m. Nov. 3. at Westgate’s SuperBook. This should be a rowdy, late-night hang, as it is also “Soul’s” third-year anniversary party at Westgate Cabaret. No cover. But if you venture anywhere near “Super Karaoke,” be prepared to sing. They corralled yours truly opening night for “Stray Cat Strut.” I hear Brian Setzer is seeking litigation.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.