**Lana Del Rey’s Cardiff Concert Leaves Fans Divided Over Length and Delays**
American songstress Lana Del Rey drew tens of thousands to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium last night as she launched her UK and Ireland stadium tour. Despite the feverish anticipation and an electric atmosphere, audience reactions in the aftermath revealed a chorus of mixed feelings, with many fans voicing a familiar grievance: the concert was simply too short, and left some yearning for more.
This performance marked Del Rey’s first-ever appearance in Wales, an event eagerly awaited by her UK-based admirers. The artist, celebrated for evocative hits such as “Summertime Sadness,” “Born to Die”, “Video Games”, and “Young and Beautiful”, has a reputation for enigmatic, sporadic live shows across Britain. Consequently, her Cardiff date was regarded as a milestone event for her devoted fanbase.
In the days leading up to the gig, speculation bubbled on social media about whether Del Rey would take to the stage at all—her appearances are notoriously unpredictable. But those doubts were set aside when she was spotted leaving rehearsals the evening before, taking time to greet fans and even accepting a chorus of “Happy Birthday” after her recent milestone 40th.
Yet, as the stadium lights dimmed and the show began, expectations and reality collided. Many in attendance took to social platforms X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok to share their disappointment about both the starting time and the overall duration of the event. Del Rey reportedly began her set just before 9pm, with some fans noting the late start, a pattern echoed in previous performances. Notably, her infamous Glastonbury appearance in 2023 ended with her microphone cut after a delayed arrival—at that time, Del Rey explained she had “been busy getting [her] hair done.”
A further grievance aired widely was the concert’s relatively brief runtime. The set clocked in at about one hour and twenty minutes—much less than the marathon shows put on by pop contemporaries like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, who typically perform for between two and three hours. Some attendees felt short-changed, arguing that a stadium-sized event of this calibre warranted far more stage time.
Another talking point arose from Del Rey’s artistic choices during the performance. At several junctures, the singer reportedly left the stage, with her vocals and presence replaced by holograms or pre-recorded segments—techniques that prompted debate among concertgoers. For some, this added a sense of surreal drama; for others, it was a distracting departure from the live experience.
Fan reactions online were starkly polarised. One audience member described the concert on X as “SO crap. 1h20min concert with Lana hiding behind the stage for 20 min while playback plays.” Another wrote, “Lana Del Rey’s Cardiff show wasn’t even 90 minutes and she was late? Abysmal.” Some on TikTok echoed these sentiments, criticising the setlist and production, and suggesting the delay may have even led to songs being cut from the schedule due to stadium curfews.
However, it would be unfair to describe the mood as wholly negative. Many others showered praise on Del Rey’s showmanship and emotive presence, with comments ranging from “Sensational” to “SO AMAZING,” highlighting that for some, the magical experience outweighed logistical concerns. One attendee even delighted in the unique opportunity, sharing that after queuing from early morning with family, the performance was worth every moment.
Industry observers point out that the towering expectations placed upon modern stadium concerts—exacerbated by the epic lengths of shows by global pop icons—may be shifting fan perceptions about what is ‘normal’ or fair. “We shouldn’t think that two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half-hour concerts should be the norm,” one supporter argued online. “It’s incredible when it happens, but it isn’t standard for the industry.”
Looking ahead, Lana Del Rey’s tour continues with shows scheduled in Glasgow, Liverpool, and Dublin, before concluding in London’s Wembley Stadium on 4 July. She will be joined by Banks for the Scottish, Liverpudlian, and Irish legs, whilst influencer Addison Rae opens at Wembley—a sign of the diverse crowds Del Rey continues to attract.
Tickets remain available via official channels, and while reaction to the Cardiff opener was split, the star’s ability to stir passionate discussion is as strong as ever—a testament, perhaps, to her enduring cultural impact and enigmatic appeal.
As for the singer herself, visibly moved by the thousands present in Cardiff, this opening show suggests she remains as unpredictable—and as captivating—as ever on the UK’s biggest stages.