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Adele super fan Caitlyn Sheehan is one of 60,000 filling Brisbane's Gabba this weekend for concerts so popular tens of thousands of extra seats have been brought in.
The Grammy-award winner will perform atop a 360-degree stage in the middle of the sports ground, while concert-goers will be seated on the field for the first time since its redevelopment.
Ms Sheehan will be one of those up front, paying $1,000 for tickets to Saturday and Sunday's Brisbane concerts, and two Sydney concerts.
The Adele look-a-like was hooked since the star's first album — then each follow-up uncannily reflected experiences in her life.
"We have the same insecurities, she is very cockney, she is bogan, she is south Londoner to the tee and I'm a girl from Logan," Ms Sheehan said.
"I grew with her. I see myself in her.
"Each album has really spoken to me at a point in my life and I really understand where she is coming from.
"She is almost like a friend taking you with her.
"Instead of someone singing lyrics which they don't feel, she feels it, and then you feel it because she feels it.
"Meeting one of your idols — they have that much of an impact on your life and then you have a chance to thank them.
"I think it is just a thank you and recognition, I think she would appreciate it, but I think it would mean more to me to say thank you."
Brisbane is expected to get about 7 millimetres of rain today, but that could increase if a storm comes in from the west.
Mayor Graham Quirk expressed concern that concert goers may experience delays getting to the concert.
While crowds of 40,000 attend Big Bash cricket, the Adele concerts will prove more challenging.
"With 60 thousand people it's a different ball game and it's going to be a massive challenge," he said.
"Allow yourself plenty of time and enjoy the concert. It's going to be a great concert no doubt about it."
Fans travel from overseas for concert
Nic Yates, her daughter Bree and friend Brigette McKenzie-Rimmer had travelled from Christchurch for the show.
Carrying a limited-edition Adele poster, the trio were at the Gabba before noon to pick up merchandise and beat the queues.
"We've been fans since the first album so just to have the chance … nine years later to see her is pretty cool," Mr Yates said.
Ms McKenzie-Rimmer said she was a fan of the British singer because she was "totally real".
"She's just a genuine woman who I think inspires a lot of women in our day and age," she said.
Extra seats brought in
Gabba manager Blair Conaghan said an additional 23,897 seats had been shipped in along with an extra 100 entry scanners and 1,200 metres of temporary fencing.
"There will also be 24 additional food and beverage stands, stocked with 20,000 glasses of champagne, 60,000 glasses of wine and 200 kilograms of cheese and crackers," he said.
The head of Brisbane's public transport network urged patrons to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to get to the venue.
Matt Longland said TransLink had doubled the number of public transport options it usually provided for events at The Gabba.
"This free public transport will be available from noon so patrons should consider making a day of it and get to the venue early and enjoy something to eat before the show," he said.
Gates open at 5.30pm on both days with Adele to perform from 7:30pm.
ABC/AAP
Topics: arts-and-entertainment, music, brisbane-4000, qld
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