Bruno Mars opened his initial engagement of six scheduled performances at Wembley Stadium in London, marking his return to UK venues after an eight-year absence. The artist last performed in the country in July 2018, coinciding with England’s elimination from the men’s World Cup semi-finals—a circumstance that would echo during this week as the country faced similar disappointment in the tournament.
Mars took the stage before a capacity crowd of approximately 75,000 attendees, incorporating patriotic British imagery into his presentation, including an England football scarf, Union Jack bucket hat, and a Paddington Bear. The theatrical two-hour, 15-minute performance began with a pre-recorded video segment followed by his emergence in a rose-embellished red suit beneath stained-glass window visuals. The setlist opened with Risk It All, a slower R&B selection from his album The Romantic, before transitioning through funk, Latin-influenced arrangements, and pop selections that showcased the artist’s genre versatility.
Romance served as a thematic centerpiece throughout the evening. Mars introduced the Angel Baby Cam segment, projecting fan reactions onto stadium screens as he performed intimate numbers. He also wore a cape bearing The Romantic branding, a reference to soul legend James Brown’s showmanship traditions. Collaborator Anderson .Paak joined Mars for a four-song Silk Sonic segment featuring choreographed Motown-inspired routines and comedic banter.
The performance incorporated both established catalog favorites and newer material. Die With a Smile, Mars’ recent collaboration with Lady Gaga, generated significant audience participation despite being from his recent release slate. The show progressed toward its conclusion with major hits including Just the Way You Are, which prompted the artist to raise stadium lighting to view the singing crowd, followed by Uptown Funk accompanied by fireworks and gold confetti. The concert concluded with Dance With Me, a reflective ballad selection that echoed the opening track’s unexpected tone.