18.05.25 at BP Pulse Live Birmingham, U.K.

Bryan Adams live (c) Steven Stanley 2024

Rock legend Bryan Adams filled Birmingham’s BP Pulse Arena on Sunday, 18 May, with over 1,500 fans singing their hearts out to hit after hit record by the man himself! To be stood in the middle of this was a surreal moment; I had personally grown up hearing the lyrics to “Summer Of 69” belting from stereo speakers or my own mother reciting the words to “Heaven” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” on karaoke.

Bryan did not disappoint during the entire length of his two hour set, to which his voice stayed flawless and he continued to impress us all with the sheer level of fan engagement with his audience all night long. From the audience request sections of his set that led us hearing him cover non other than Elvis’ “Blue Suede Shoes” to ending his time with us all by doing a lap of the arena himself to get closer and allow all sections of the arena to feel seen. The appreciation that was shown was touching and made everyone’s night.

The show itself was energetic and completely entertaining from start to finish. If listening to all the classic’s live throughout his career right up to his most recent remarkable releases wasn’t enough for you then you better find yourself a seat to prepare for full experience! Starting with a giant inflatable drone boxing glove symbolizing non other than the latest single “Roll With The Punches” to then also be thrown a giant inflatable drone car later in the night that flew over the crowds heads! Visuals from his latest video, shot in Australia on the beach and inspired by non other than his collaboration with the movie “Spirit,” was topped off with the incredible chord and riff playing talent that there was on the guitar (who stole the show multiple times through out the night) named Keith Scott, creating an overwhelmingly enjoyable night for all and unmissable for anyone wanting a good time!

What I found to be the highlight of this show was the nostalgia that came along with it. The most beautiful part of this was to witness just a glimpse of the stories behind the fans that this music had brought together. I saw parents dancing with their teenage sons, who reluctantly bopped his head along to the melody, acting as if he wasn’t fazed but most definitely sings this song in the shower at home, because his dad introduced it to him as his song when he was his age! There were men everywhere raising their pints and throwing their hands in the air, as if they were back in school and didn’t have a care in the world, stood next to women screaming and singing back the words to their celebrity crush from their youth. Not to forget the timeless love of an older couple I spotted, who stood dancing sweetly together to each song and knew every word by heart. They certainly had incredibly fond memories and were able to create even more because of this tour.

This was for sure a concert full of stories and Bryan Adams was graceful enough to teleport this audience back to a time where each of them were young and having fun. “18 till I Die” was most definitely true for this crowd, and greatly appreciated from start to finish.