For the first North American leg (which was originally scheduled to begin 12 May 2011 in Washington, D.C. and end on 22 June in Minneapolis), Adele canceled the last nine dates after she was diagnosed with acute laryngitis.

In September 2011, "continuing problems with a serious cold and chest infection" prompted the further postponement of seven additional dates on the second leg of the European stop.

[4] Adele was forced to cancel the remaining dates of her tour to undergo emergency surgery for the throat hemorrhaging.

[5] Production designer Rob Sinclair wanted the stage to be sparse so the audience would focus on Adele and her voice.

McDonald carried an Allen & Heath iLive-112 with him during the tour and hooked it up to each venue's sound system with a Cat 5 connector.

McDonald's goal for the tour was, "I want the audience to forget who they are for a moment and be able to project themselves solely onto what's occurring onstage.

"[8] The tour featured a 12-piece string section that backed Adele up, consisting of eight violins, two violas, and two cellos.

A screen lifted up at the beginning of the concert to reveal Adele and occasionally descended behind her with images projected upon it.

I had to give my voice 2 weeks rest or risk permanent damage"— Adele on cancelling part of her North American tour.