Photos Credit: Nicholas O’Donnell
Adams rolls into London with his Roll with the Punch tour which certainly didn’t pull any punches with an eclectic mix of his modern work combined with many staples of his back catalogue. On entry to the O2 Arena, the audience was greeted with a bar code on the large screen at the back of the stage welcoming them to request songs, a nice touch from Adams and this was the start of the strong interaction throughout the two-and-a-half-hour set. As we anticipated the start of the show we were treated to some theatrics as a drone powered silver boxing glove rose to the stage and floated across the crowd building the anticipation. Classics such as Tutti Frutti and Johnny B Goode played over the PA before the ambient lights in the arena cut and a video played on the screen as Adams launched straight into title track “Roll With the Punches” before following on with classic hit “Run to You” that was met with huge cheers from the crowd. Adams, bass in one hand, pointed at the audience encouraging them to join in which they happily did. This audience participation was just the start of what was to come. During “18 until I Die” Adams not only encouraged participation, he actually stopped to allow those in attendance to sing the chorus in his stead. Adams then addressed the crowd “I think we have a full house tonight, I’m going to try and play as many songs as I remember”. Swapping his bass out for an acoustic guitar (the first of many instrument changes) Adams delivered 1999 hit “Cloud Number 9” whilst bathed in blue light and smoke. Mid track Adams starts the crowd swaying before finishing off the song.
After swapping back to his bass, Adams thanks Radio 2 for playing new track “Make Up Your Mind”, explaining it was about dealing with an ex. The performance was accompanied by a lyric video and the audience showed their appreciation for the new material by clapping along. The second acoustic number of the set came in the form of “Heaven” before Adams gave a heartfelt message about the late Tina Turner, who was clearly a major influence on him in his early career.
Adams was not the only member of the band to wow those in attendance. Lead guitarist Keith Scott received strong appreciation for his stage theatrics and at one point spun the guitar around his body.
As promised, Adams delivered hit after hit and the crowd became more and more involved as the evening progressed. At one stage Adams had the audience show their dance moves to a rockabilly song as his camera man focussed on those with the best moves displaying them on the big screen.
During “Please Forgive Me” the whole arena was bathed in mobile phone light as the audience swayed their torches creating an atmosphere fitting of the music being played.
At various stages throughout the set Adams told stories ranging from the filming of wild horses for a music video to a mariachi band playing his song in a Mexican restaurant and not knowing it was him.
As he approached the later part of the performance he entered the request section playing songs requested by the audience earlier in the evening. The requests even included a cover of “London Calling” the second cover of the evening after “Whiskey in the Jar” that had been performed previously.
As we approached the end of the evening the atmosphere continued to build and we were at its peak for fan favourites “Summer of 69” and the record charting “Everything I Do” where the crowd could be heard singing every word.
Adams completed the performance with a two track encore which brought to an end a wonderful evening. Many will have left the arena hoarse but the nostalgic evening was heart warming and will have brought back so many memories. Bryan Adams continues to be a legend in the industry and it was fantastic to finally see him live 35 years after my parents introduced me to his music.
https://www.bryanadams.com/tours/
Roll with the Punches
Run to You
Somebody
18 til I die
Cloud Number nine
Make up Your Mind
Heaven
It’s Only Love
You Belong To Me
Can’t Stop This Thing We started
Please Forgive Me
Go Down Rockin’
Shine A Light
Here I Am
Whiskey in the Jar
When You’re Gone
Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?
Never Ever Let You Go
The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You
One Night Love Affair
London Calling
(Everything I Do) I Do For You
Back To You
So Happy It Hurts
Summer of 69
Cuts Like A Knife
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Straight From The Heart
All For Love
About Author
