When backstage tour riders are leaked the public find out that they often contain hilarious examples of rock star excess and self-absorption. David Hasselhoff requested a life-size cut-out of himself, Motley Crue a schedule for local Alcoholics’ Anonymous meetings, and James Brown demanded two girls under the age of 21 and a ladies’ hair dryer. Funny stuff.
Now it’s time for us to comb over the backstage requests of siren extraordinaire Adele, who had the highest selling album of 2011, after they were leaked to The Smoking Gun. But if you’re looking to be outraged think again (unless you like North American beer), because Adele’s rider contains a provision that is sure to melt your heart.
The rider reads:
All guests at all Adele shows will be asked for a minimum donation to charity of $20.00 per person, in cash, when they collect their tickets. There will be no exception to this rule.
We will also expect that all guests of the Promoter and/or Venue to also make the same donation when collecting their tickets.
There may be occasions where the donation may have been made on behalf of the guests prior to them collecting their tickets. If this is the case, “Donation Paid” will be clearly marked next to their name on the Artist guest list.
Money generated from the donations has been donated to UK charity SANDS (Stillborn And Neonatal Death Charity), which exists for “supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby and promoting research to reduce loss of babies’ lives.” According to the rider, during the UK and European leg of the tour, the artist collected $13,000 for the charity.
Contained in the rest of the rider are the usual stipulation that dressing rooms to be clean and have access to a private bathroom, etc. Her private room also has a list of demands that include:
12 small bottles of room temperature spring water
1 electric kettle, 6 mugs for tea (new, washed and dried)
6 metal teaspoons
2 “squeezy’ bottles of clear honey (not organic)
1 bottle of very best quality red wine
1 assortment of chewing gum
1 pack of Marlboro Lights
1 disposable lighter
1 small plate of fresh fruit including bananas, apples, grapes, fresh berries but NO citrus fruit
1 small plate of assorted, freshly made, individually wrapped sandwiches to include chicken salad but no tomatoes, vinegar, chilli or citrus fruit
At the end of the concert Adele also asks in the rider that her tour bus be stocked with bite-size chocolate bars, organic muesli, cereal bars, two bottles of the “very best quality red wine”, and 12 bottles of “best quality European lager beer ie Becks, Stella Artois, Peroni etc”. Just to be sure that the promoter understands the request the rider adds at the end that “North American beer is NOT acceptable.”
Check out our slideshow of the most outrageous backstage requests, and when you’re done check out part 2. You can also see her entire rider here.
