Bruno Mars has an unexpected opening before Wembley party starts

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Bruno Mars has an unexpected opening before Wembley party startsImage source, Daniel RamosImage caption, Bruno Mars performs at Wembley stadium at the first night of six nights ByLola SchroerPublished24 minutes agoBruno Mars appeared determined to lift the nation's mood during the first of his six nights at Wembley Stadium. His last UK performance came in July 2018, shortly after England had been knocked out of the men's World Cup semi-finals. Eight years later, history had repeated itself.

But wearing an England football scarf, Union Jack bucket hat and clutching a Paddington Bear, the showman energised a 75,000-strong, multi-generational crowd. After nearly a decade away from UK audiences, Mars proved why fans had snapped up tickets in record numbers, external. 'London, it's time to party'The show began with a pre-recorded video of Mars praying in a church for a good performance, before he emerged beneath visuals of a stained-glass window in a red suit bejewelled with roses.

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It was a suitably theatrical opening to a two-hour, 15-minute set. But for those who had avoided spoilers, Risk It All, a slow R&B ballad from Mars' latest album, The Romantic, was perhaps an unexpected opener. Any surprise was short-lived.

Within minutes, Mars sat behind a pair of bright red congas for Cha Cha, signalling the start of a set that moved between R&B, funk, Latin influences and pop. It was an early glimpse of what was to come as he declared: "London, it's time to party. "The crowd quickly accepted the invitation.

From then on, neither Mars nor his fans stood still. 24K Magic and Treasure prompted one of the night's biggest singalongs. As Mars sang "put your pinky rings up to the moon", thousands of little fingers rose into the air.

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Image source, Daniel RamosImage caption, Bruno Mars wears a cape on stage that says 'The Romantic'The opening run of songs showed why Mars has remained one of pop's most reliable live performers. Rather than relying on one sound, he moved between genres without ever losing the crowd. Romance has always been at the heart of the singer's music, and it soon became the focus of the show.

"Tonight we sing about love," he told the crowd after Treasure, before introducing the Angel Baby Cam, a segment in which fans' reactions were projected onto the giant screens as he serenaded them. It was one of several moments that played into his trademark romantic showmanship. Later, he even emerged wearing a cape emblazoned with the words The Romantic, which appeared to nod to soul legend James Brown.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Anderson . Paak and Bruno Mars of Silk Sonic perform onstage during the 2022 Billboard Music AwardsIn the years between his solo releases, Mars has focused on collaborations, most notably Silk Sonic with Anderson . Paak, a partnership he has previously described as "natural and organic".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.