Bryan Adams – AO Arena, Manchester – 17th May 2022

Aside from the slightly startling passage of 38 years since a first encounter with Bryan Adams over at Manchester G-Mex as was, it’s been almost two years to the day since we were in the same place with the same certain Canadian rocker. The groover from Vancouver. Back in the (nearly) Summer of ’22, Bryan Adams was, in due reference to the album title, so happy it hurts. This time we find he’s rolling with the punches, the boxing analogy accompanied by similar pugilistic graphics that play out on the big screen slightly past the expected (and devilishly early – no support too) 7.30 start.

The Fall of ’25 sees him on a huge North American jaunt and with a new album due in August, the UK gets treated to a bit of a test run for Bryan and his three piece band (again with Keith Scott as his loyal right hand man). Bruce Springsteen has already been spotted in town ahead of his three nights over at the Coop Live next week so if he’s nipped across tonight to see his pal, he remains well camouflaged.

EIGHTEEN TILL I DIE, I’M GONNA BE…

It’s not long after eight when the 65(!!) year old is singing about how “it’s not how you look it’s what you feel inside” and a pretty full Manchester Arena is in the feelgood spirit of a sunny Friday night. That’s after the title track to the new album rips and riffs from the blocks and the first of a couple of inflatables (pinch me, it’s not Pink Floyd) in the shape of a silver boxing glove has floated around the arena.

He’s heard that Manchester is party central, and after an opening flurry of Reckless hits including the new spruced up arrangement of Heaven that sees the camera phones on full alert, the rockabilly You Belong To Me has him actively encouraging the reluctant dancers to join those already in the mood. “Or take off your T shirt and wave it around your head like they did last night” he suggests. It was Newcastle by the way, where, judging by the footy supporters, it’s a regular occurrence.

THE BRYAN ADAMs JUKEBOX

The Bryan Adams jukebox of film soundtrack songs, riffy rockers, solo diversions and audeince requests has everyone revelling in high spirits. Hard rocking with a nouse for a hook and melody sees even the brand new title track of the new album kick off proceedings with no sense of it being a new song. It fits the evening’s entertainment philosophy of offering up a setlist that’s all encompassing and the cream of a forty year journey.

There’s the nonsense Go Down Rocking while Shine A Light and Cloud Number Nine offer up lighter bites, yet among the 28 song set that he warns us about at the beginning, we’re never too far from a song like the Mariachi band who played Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman? to him – one you know but didn’t know it was an Adams tune.

He thoughtfully allows the band a breather while he does Whiskey In The Jar (yep – lights on and audience participation) and When You’re Gone with just acoustic guitar, owning the stage. A stage that seems way too large for the quartet who often come together to fit on a postage stamp, yet he (and Keith) are often out at the side mics and on the walkway into the front rows.

YOUNG AND RECKLESS

The connection has most singing along to most of the set – So Happy It Hurts and Summer Of 69 are all whoa-oh-oh’s and built-for-it set closer Cuts Like A Knife all na-na-na’s. And to seal the deal, after ending the main set on a huge high, the band are off to the small stage at the back of the arena for an up close and personal final encore. He’s expresses how thankful he is to Tina Turner (remember It’s Only Love?) for helping him find a UK audience, yet he’s the one who’s built and deserved the chance to keep returning and playing these big arenas. A night with a tsunamiof feelgood and bonhomie, all part and parcel for the man who remains the nicest guy in Rock And Roll.

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