Bryan Adams Sells out the O2 Arena

Words by Dave Martin/ Photography by 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 were 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, points at the audience encouraging them to join in which they happily do. This singing 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 assembled 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 mew material by clapping along. The second acoustic number of the set can in the form of “Heaven” before Adams gave a heart felt 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’s 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 at it’s 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 bought 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 is a legend in the industry and it was fantastic to finally see him live 35 years after my parents introduced me to his music.  

1. Roll with the Punches
2. Run to You
3. Somebody
4. 18 til I die
5. Cloud Number nine
6. Make up Your Mind
7. Heaven
8. It’s Only Love
9. You Belong To Me
10. Can’t Stop This Thing We started
11. Please Forgive Me
12. Go Down Rockin’
13. Shine A Light
14. Here I Am
15. Whiskey in the Jar
16. When You’re Gone
17. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?
18. Never Ever Let You Go
19. The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You
20. One Night Love Affair
21. London Calling
22. (Everything I Do) I Do For You
23. Back To You
24. So Happy It Hurts
25. Summer of 69
26. Cuts Like A Knife
27. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
28. Straight From The Heart
29. All For Love