ADÉLA at Theatre of The Living Arts
The future of pop music is not only bright, but also very pink. 2026 has been the year of rising pop singer-songwriter Adéla. Following the success of her EP ‘The Provocator’, she opened for Demi Lovato and made her debut at iconic festivals including Lollapalooza and Leeds Festival. Earlier this month, Adéla released her debut album, ‘Prima’, which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and features hit singles such as “Ain’t in LA” and “Nicole Kidman.”
On September 17, she performed to a sold-out crowd at the Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia as part of her “Red Bottoms” Tour. Fans had been camped outside since 8 a.m., including many who have followed Adéla’s career since her appearance on the Netflix hit series Dream Academy. At just 22, Adéla has attracted both Gen Z and Millennial audiences through her music, fashion, and larger-than-life image. While speaking with some of the older fans waiting in line, one comparison came up repeatedly: Adéla reminded them of a young Lady Gaga during ‘The Fame’ era. Her poised confidence, theatrical presentation, and unapologetic approach to pop have given fans plenty of reason to believe that this is only the beginning of her career.
The night kicked off with DJ Zoe, who understood Adéla’s demographic perfectly. Seamless remixes of today's songs alongside Y2K-era hits kept the crowd energized throughout her 45-minute set. One standout moment blended Troye Sivan’s “Rush” with The Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps,” creating exactly the kind of nostalgic yet contemporary atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Similar to her Lollapalooza entrance, Adéla opened the night with her viral song and dance “KGB,” remixed with Madonna’s “Vogue.” From the moment she appeared, the combination of storytelling, choreography, and production transformed the Theater of Living Arts from a small Philadelphia venue into what felt like an arena. Within minutes, Adéla had established the scale of the performance she wanted to deliver—and the crowd was ready to follow her there.
One of Adéla's most distinctive qualities is her ballet experience. Combining this form of dance with some of her dark pop songs makes it intriguing to watch. “Death By Devotion” was one of the show's standout moments because of this. She and her dancers brought sophistication and theatricality to the series. Details like this make her feel less like another emerging pop singer and more like an artist developing a complete visual language of her own.
“Ain’t in LA” has become one of Adéla’s breakout songs in recent months. Before performing it, she took a moment to explain the story behind writing it. Growing up in Slovakia with limited representation in pop culture, Adéla was heavily influenced by American culture, particularly the glamour of Hollywood. However, after moving to Los Angeles, she began to notice how the industry often centered the same people, leaving less room for creatives from around the world. That experience inspired a song that encourages listeners to embrace where they come from and take pride in their identity. Musically, “Ain’t in LA” carries an early-2010s pop feel reminiscent of Miley Cyrus’ 2013 hit “We Can’t Stop,” giving the track a nostalgic energy while maintaining Adéla’s own identity. Its growing popularity made the performance especially meaningful, as the audience sang along to a song whose message extends beyond Los Angeles itself. Adéla also brought a fan onstage to dance with her, creating a moment that showed the close connection she has developed with her audience.
She ended the night with “Nicole Kidman,” bringing the crowd to one final high-energy moment. The audience danced throughout, with fans screaming along to every word. The venue was packed to the point that the crowd flowed into the lobby, showing just how dedicated her fanbase has become.
The growth was especially noticeable when comparing the Philadelphia show to Adéla’s very first concert last year at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City. The venue was much smaller then, and she performed without backup singers or dancers, but she still carried herself with an arena-level presence. The audience was smaller, yet fans screamed every word, just as they did in Philadelphia. Now, with a larger production behind her, that same stage presence has expanded into something that feels ready for much bigger stages.
What I like most about Adéla is that she seems completely comfortable doing her own thing. Her presence is stoic, both onstage and off, and she has developed a clear identity through her music, fashion, dance, and brand. She truly feels like an artist who wants to do it all. Her ballet experience, musical abilities, and theatrical approach to performing come together to create something that feels distinctly hers.
The most remarkable part of Adéla’s story is the journey itself. Coming from Slovakia and now performing on international stages, she has built a career that reaches far beyond where she started.
The future of pop music is not only bright, but very pink. With ‘Prima’ now out and more shows and festivals ahead, Adéla’s Philadelphia performance felt like another important chapter in the story of an artist who is continuing to define what her version of pop music looks and sounds like.
A TRACK WE LOVE:
Words & photos by Liam Gillin