When I was a kid, I set aside my school lunch money so that I could buy albums. Bryan Adams’ song ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It for You’ inspired my first ever music purchase (on cassette tape) with his sixth studio album ‘Waking Up the Neighbours’. Although I no longer have my vast music collection from my childhood, my love for Bryan Adams and his music remains.
My first experience of seeing Bryan Adams perform live was during the Australian leg of the Bare Bones Tour at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre in 2011. By design, he played an entire acoustic set. I somehow managed to score a front row seat and decided to make a sign that read, “You are my inspiration”. Now, I’m unsure if Bryan misread it or whether his joke was intentional, but he playfully shared that he thought the poster read, “You are my masturbation”, before throwing a cheeky grin my way and stopping during the following song midway to say my name and smirk back at me again.
Honestly, that entire experience really surprised me. I knew that Bryan Adams was an incredibly talented singer-songwriter (and photographer), but I never thought that he’d be funny as well.
When Adams returned to our region in 2013, with a full band for the Australian leg of his Waking Up the Neighbours – 20th Anniversary Tour, New Zealand the same year received the Bare Bones Tour. The very tour I had seen in Australia only two years prior. Wanting to witness that full acoustic set again, I was inspired to get a passport and attend my first ever concert overseas.
Since then, Bryan has visited Australia multiple times, including a special appearance at the 2015 AFL Grand Final which included a free post-match concert, much to the delight of Australian fans (myself included).
In a triumphant and overdue return after a 6 year wait, and after initially kickstarting the So Happy It Hurts Tour back in 2022, Bryan Adams is finally back in Australia, and he’s in his best form yet.
Stepping into Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, a giant screen illuminated the stage with what appeared to be a black and white photo of a car with the tour name on it. On the screen there was a QR code which patrons could scan to make a song request for the evening. Upon doing so, I came to the slow realisation that the photo on the big screen was in fact a video where random events would occur around the car.
This included a marching band, a stylish old lady in a wheelchair rolling by, and even a swarm of bees flying past. I chuckled during scenes where a mechanic appeared to take the car apart while the stage cleverly filled with smoke to provide a perfect 4D experience, enhancing the onstage illusion.
The pre-show entertainment was not limited to the antics on the big screen. When the sound of a boxing bell rung, a giant shiny silver boxing glove manifested and with the words “Roll with the punches” on it and proceeded to float about the centre of the venue. This smartly promoted Bryan Adams’ new single, although he didn’t perform it that evening.
As soon as the Rod Laver Arena lights dimmed, the Melbourne audience cheered with both excitement and surprise when Bryan emerged from the car on the big screen. Followed by a fun intro narrated by Monty Python’s John Cleese, Adams began the night with ‘Kick Ass’, which conjured the Melbourne audience up onto their feet. In an instant, everyone was eagerly clapping their hands, singing along and dancing with delight.
The iconic Melbourne venue was filled to the brim (including the superboxes) for Bryan Adams’ sold out first 2025 Australian show. The minimal stage set up allowed for more patrons to attend, while letting the music speak for itself. The stage appeared to have several extensions including a catwalk that allowed for Adams to get much closer to his fans, each end equipped with a microphone and stand that Adams could easily run to.
Generations have grown up listening to Bryan Adams’ music and this was evident by the phenomenal turn out, the diverse Melbourne audience decorated with people of all ages and colour, yet all mutual lovers of Adams’ music. Some were even witnessing Bryan Adams perform live in concert for the very first time.
Super interactive with his audience, Melbourne patrons were creative with getting the best out of their Bryan Adams experience. One lady on the floor had a candle shaped lightstick that she brought with her and happily waved around during the slower numbers. A family put together a sign so that their Aunt Shelly could have Bryan sign her arm, with the intention of getting it tattooed. Bryan saw the sign and kindly obliged, later dedicated the song ‘Here I Am’ to her.
I also witnessed a young man firmly hold his phone to record a song while also skilfully tilting his head back and taking a swig of his beer with the other. Plus, there were some keen patrons that took their shirts off under Bryan’s instructions and swung them above their heads during the song, ‘You Belong to Me’. Not only did I see men, women and even kids get into the spirit, but with some attendees accompanying the shirtless, their facial expressions were priceless. All of this made for a hilarious moment, and I couldn’t help but think that despite attending live music all the time, I’m still surprised by the crazy fun moments that occur at concerts.
Bryan and his band consisting of Keith Scott on the guitar, Gary Breit on the keys, and Pat Steward on the drums were equally as entertaining as their audience, providing patrons with jaw-dropping epic solos. Scott also happily threw guitar picks into the audience whenever he could.
When not singing, Bryan Adams had fun stories and deep thoughts to share, including missing the late, great Michael Gudinski which he had a wonderful friendship with since 1984, when Adams first toured Australia. Adams admitted that he was still finding himself peeking at the door of the green room and hoping that Gudinski would appear. This was followed by a warm imitation of Gudinski and an emotional performance of ‘Shine a Light’ that he dedicated to the late Australian music titan.
Adams also shared of his friendship with the late Tina Turner and provided patrons with a lovely medley which included ‘It’s Only Love’ that he had penned and recorded with Turner as a duet in 1985. This was combined with her songs ‘The Best’ and ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’, in tribute to Tina as both a dear friend of Bryan’s and as the female rock legend with a timeless music legacy well worth celebrating.
Crowd favourite tunes of the night included, ‘Can’t Stop This Thing We Started’, ‘Somebody’, the full band version of ‘Heaven’, ‘The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You’, ‘Run to You’ and the signature ‘Summer of ’69’. Highlights of the concert included when Adams played both the guitar and harmonica (sometimes at the same time!) during ‘Go Down Rockin’’, reminding fans that the Canadian musician is a man of many talents, leaving many with their jaws hanging open in awe.
During the song ‘Brand New Day’, the lighting above the band flashed in different colours to the beat, appearing to dance about the stage like an additional band member. However, the stage lighting was most impressive during ‘Heaven’, with white streams of light looking like gorgeous moonbeams that intimately luminated both Bryan and the stage.
Popular ballads ‘Please Forgive Me’ and ‘Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?’ were exquisite to hear live. However, ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It for You’ was the hero of the night and a fan favourite for all. Suddenly (and amusingly) everyone remembered that they had mobile phones, their arms shooting up like daisies to film the famous chorus. I too did the same, singing along word for word while my eyes shamelessly filled with happy tears.
Full of surprises, newer songs ‘So Happy It Hurts’ had the accompaniment of a floating car that appeared to drive in air, and ‘Always Have, Always Will’ felt familiar, both songs played for the first time in Australia. Adams also performed a fun upbeat cover of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’, plus a duet with support act English singer-songwriter James Arthur, where the pair sang ‘Rewrite the Stars’ from The Greatest Showman.
However, my favourite moments included when Bryan Adams sung the super sweet ‘Back to You’, showcased a gorgeous acoustic rendition of ‘Here I Am’ only accompanied by his guitar and the piano, and surprised Melbourne fans at the back of the venue with a stunning b-stage acoustic performance of the beautiful ‘Straight From the Heart’ and heartfelt ‘All for Love’. The latter had the lights dim, leaving Rod Laver Arena only intimately lit by everyone’s phone lights, making Bryan Adams look like he was glowing, all while creating a breathtaking and temporary man-made starry sky. It was truly magical.
His songwriting and strong vocals are well worth the admission alone, but Bryan Adams was just as funny, impressive and entertaining as I remembered. Although I didn’t get my song request of my favourite song played (‘Cloud Number Nine’ acoustic style), the So Happy It Hurts Tour masterfully delivered in spades, and I can’t wait to see Bryan again (I bought tickets!) when he returns to Melbourne next week.
Bryan Adams was stellar from start to finish, working every inch of Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena and giving his audience so much love and attention, while genuinely appearing to have just as much fun as his fans were. Sensitive, surprising, sensational and magical in every aspect, regardless of whether you’ve seen Bryan Adams before or if this was your first time, patrons passionately savoured every moment of sharing the room with him, only pulling out their phones briefly to record choruses to their favourite numbers, all while singing at the top of their lungs.
On a personal note, the Melbourne concert of Bryan Adams’ So Happy It Hurts Tour felt like a full circle moment. Although I have seen Bryan in concert before, this was my first time reviewing his show. It felt very special, especially considering that he was my first music purchase when I was a kid. He also single-handedly inspired me to travel overseas for concerts, something that I now love to do. For inspiring me, for shining his light, still touring and sharing his music with the world, I am forever grateful. Thank-you.
Evidently one of the best in the business (and one of my favourites), Bryan Adams is in his finest form and just keeps getting better and better. No one can work a crowd and make their hearts soar like Bryan Adams does.
Bryan Adams is currently touring Australia as part of his So Happy It Hurts Tour, proudly presented by Frontier Touring. He will return to Melbourne and Rod Laver Arena on February 15th to conclude his Australian tour.
For more information, other city dates and ticketing, please visit:
https://www.frontiertouring.com/bryanadams
https://www.bryanadams.com
https://www.instagram.com/bryanadams
Photography by Grant Alexander.
