Watch: Adele’s KCRW visits, from ‘Chasing’ to ‘Rolling’

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Adele’s new album 25 practically broke the internet and literally broke records this week and last, which reminded us of her humble beginnings and her numerous visits to KCRW. Travel back in time with us…


March 21, 2008: The First Time

KCRW championed Adele from the very beginning, when 19 was released in January 2008. By March, she was performing in our legendary studios the night after her first gig in L.A., at the Hotel Cafe. She had a bad cold and cough, and a couple of her bandmates had visited the hospital during the tour. But illness didn’t stop them.

From the beginning, Adele was confident in what she wanted to bring to her songs.

Adele’s first KCRW session setlist:

“Crazy For You”
“Make You Feel My Love”  (Bob Dylan cover)
“Melt My Heart To Stone”
“Right As Rain”
“Chasing Pavements”
“Hometown Glory”
“That’s It, I Quit” (Sam Cooke cover)


November 17, 2008: Second Session

It’s rare that we invite artists to return on the same album tour, but Adele is a very special artist so we didn’t hesitate to bring her back to check in on her rising star status. She came back with a trio, but this time she also played guitar. Some of her songs were so new that you can see her reading the lyrics (if you only heard it, you would never know).

Here is Adele’s second KCRW visit setlist:

“Daydreamer”
“Right As Rain”
“Hometown Glory”
“Fool That I Am”
“First Love”
“Cold Shoulder”
“My Shame”
“Chasing Pavements”


June 26, 2009: Third Time’s A DJ Set

Unfortunately, that double-bill was never to be, as Etta James passed away right before the big night. Here’s what Adele shared at the time.

Here is Adele’s Guest DJ setlist:

A Lover Is Forever –Etta James
Funnel Of Love –Wanda Jackson
When A Man Loves A Woman –Percy Sledge
I Didn’t Take Your Man –Ann Peebles


February 25, 2011: Fourth On The Floor

Here is the setlist from Adele’s fourth visit and third performance for KCRW:

“Hometown Glory”
“Don’t You Remember”
“Turning Tables”
“Chasing Pavements”
“Take It All”
“Someone Like You”
“Rolling In The Deep”