Fans attending Rihanna’s concert in Dublin were left surprised when the singer became visibly emotional on stage after arriving later than scheduled for the show.
The performance, held at the open-air Aviva Stadium, marked the opening night of the UK and Ireland leg of her Anti World Tour. While the evening ultimately featured many of her biggest hits, an emotional moment early in the set quickly became a major talking point among concertgoers.
A Delayed Start to the Show
Rihanna was scheduled to take the stage at 8:45 p.m. following opening performances from Big Sean and DJ Mustard. However, fans waited until approximately 9:15 p.m. before she appeared.
When she eventually took the stage, she opened the concert with the ballad “Stay.” According to reports, she appeared emotional from the start of the performance.
The moment became even more noticeable during her second song, “Love the Way You Lie,” when she began crying on stage. The unexpected display of emotion immediately sparked concern among fans in attendance.
A Professional Recovery
Despite the emotional start, Rihanna quickly regained her composure and continued with the show.
The concert was part of her Anti World Tour, which had begun earlier in the year in the United States in support of her eighth studio album, Anti.
After the brief emotional moment, she moved through a lengthy set that combined tracks from the album with many of the songs that helped establish her career. The performance featured several of her most recognizable hits, helping maintain the energy throughout the night.
Fan Favorites Take Center Stage
While songs from Anti were included throughout the show, some of the evening’s biggest reactions came during performances of Rihanna’s earlier hits.
Highlights included “Umbrella,” along with a medley featuring “Live Your Life,” “All of the Lights,” and “Run This Town.” Another standout moment came during her performance of “Diamonds.”
At one point during the concert, Rihanna thanked the Dublin audience for their enthusiasm.
She told the crowd that she had only ever heard an audience sound so united and loud in Ireland, expressing her appreciation for their support.
Multiple Costume Changes and High-Energy Performances
In addition to the music, Rihanna incorporated several costume changes into the 80-minute show.
She first appeared on stage in a distinctive outfit before later changing into a beige ensemble and then a shimmering jumpsuit. The final look accompanied energetic performances of songs including “Man Down” and “Work.”
Despite fitting 24 songs into the set, she continued to highlight material from Anti during the closing portion of the concert.
Ending the Night on Her Own Terms
Rather than returning for an encore, Rihanna chose to finish the show with additional songs from Anti, describing them as some of her favorites.
She closed the concert with “Love on the Brain” and “Kiss It Better,” bringing the night to an end after a performance that mixed emotional moments with high-energy entertainment.
Although her tears early in the show prompted concern and speculation among fans, Rihanna completed the concert and delivered a performance packed with both new material and many of the songs that have defined her career.
As the UK and Ireland leg of the Anti World Tour continued, fans hoped to see the singer feeling more upbeat at future stops while carrying the momentum of a memorable opening night in Dublin.
