Bryan Adams: Photo for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn
Bryan Adams – Live Brighton Centre 13 May 2022
Bryan Adams was ready to kick it! He came, he saw, we danced, he kicked ass with his brilliant band.
Bryan Adams if I recall was last due to play Brighton to launch his new album in 2020 that was Shine A Light. Due to lockdowns it never happened, and now he is back with a new album in tow. He spent that time off the road creating So Happy It Hurts.
Bryan Adams was back in town! We were there to capture this return to Brighton gig from Mr Adams. The band Feeder had been pencilled in as support on other dates, but tonight we were promised a two hour uninterrupted performance from Bryan Adams! It was a Friday the 13th, unlucky for some – lucky for us!!
Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer, and photographer. Sources state Adams has sold either more than 75 or more than 100 million records and singles worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Adams was the most played artist on Canadian radio in the 2010s and has had 25 top 15 singles in Canada and a dozen or more in each of the US, UK, and Australia.
Venturing into the main hall a monster floating inflatable car was hovering above our heads, reflecting the new album title and tour posters. As it came into “land” the car drifted into the side of the venue, careful Mr Operator or a few of us may end up sporting a new crew cut haircut similar to Mr Adams!
The first thing you notice is the sparse stage, apart from a large piano and racks of guitars. So, not much going on up there furniture wise. Mr. Adams I feel does not need those impressive stage structures. We want him, his guitar(s) and those songs. A huge, and I do mean huge video wall was up and running. Various scenes revolving around the aforementioned car. Bryan Adams appeared in the car video, got out and charged at the screen a massive roar from the sound system and a dropping of the lights to that promised red tint heralded his arrival on stage.
Bryan Adams: Photo for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn
Over the sound system an intro played. It is instantly audibly stimulating:
In the beginning In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,
Then He created the waters and the land
And then He created man
But man degenerated
And descended into the black hole of making bad music
So a darkness fell all around
Only He could know of the storm that was coming
The hurricane that was brewing
Yes, there was something wrong, something missing
There was no rock music!
“Let there be guitar! Drums, Bass, Piano – Let there be a kick-ass, kick-ass rockin’ band” – a small shout out maybe to AC/DC and Let There Be Rock?
Bryan Adams: Photo for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn
The singer and his kick ass entourage took to the dimly-lit stage at the Brighton Centre during the intro and placed themselves in position on the stage. A wave from Mr Adams and a guitar riff as the band joined in to hit us nice and hard with Kick Ass, from the new album. The second song from the set saw the band bang out Can’t Stop This Thing We Started. Clearly folk knew the first new song, but the second song from the set did the trick and got the front 50+ rows of the standing crowd dancing! Run to You (from 1984 album Reckless. The song was covered by Rage in 1992 turned it into a monster club hit.), Shine a Light, Heaven (covered by DJ Sammy in 2002) and the quite magnificent “I am gonna go down” – Go Down Rockin’ were up next. Adams can write those big rock songs made for the bigger venues and stadiums. The songs just connect. They were masterfully delivered. The sound was awesome and the mix allowed all of the instruments to be heard and the vocals to shine.
Bryan Adams: Photo for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn
Kick Ass opened up the gig, and that pretty much sums up the rest of the evening. He came, he saw, we danced, he kicked ass with his brilliant band. Damn they were good. The band, led by Mr Adams, took us through It’s Only Love, On The Road, You Belong to Me and with a switch to his acoustic guitar we had Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? It’s Only Love was originally a duet Bryan explained with Tina Turner – this was greeted with a huge cheer. “Tonight folks she is not here” the crowd made a unified “oh” sound. Bryan, laughing at the reaction then introduced his lead guitar player, Keith Scott as a fill in for Tina. This was greeted with a happy cheer from the crowd. Some fabuloso guitar work from him followed!
The Band:
Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals and Tina Turner stand in, Pat Steward – drums, backing vocals, Solomon Walker – bass, backing vocals and Gary Breit – keyboards, backing vocals and percussion.
On The Road, You Belong to Me, Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?, Here I Am and When You’re Gone. When You’re Gone rocked up the Brighton Centre, this of course was a monster hit for him with Melanie C in 1998. It was a huge international top five hit. All of the songs still sound fresh and vibrant with Bryan pouring it on for every song performed tonight. Adams has played various styles of rock during his career, from hard rock and arena rock to pop rock and soft rock. The soft rock/ballad was up next, you know the one, from that Robin Hood movie – (Everything I Do) I Do It for You. It seemed a good few of the guys in the crowd went off to grab a beer leaving those behind to sing their hearts out. Hearing it live, with the backing of the Brighton Choir, did give the song a lift. It was actually good to hear it again. His music has appeared in dozens of films both as a singer and as a songwriter and co-writer since the early 1980s.
Bryan Adams: Photo for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn
The songs were coming at us thick and fast, One Night Love Affair, the searing vocals and piano opened up Rebel, not heard that one in a while. Then two bangers back to back with 18 ’til I Die (with a lyric back drop on the mega screen) and Summer of ’69, with the lyrics appearing to have been tattooed on a young body. The screen flowing around as the lyrics were sung. Adams then dashed across the stage and had the crowd take part in an impromptu sing a long. After the rocker that is the guitar driven 18 ’til I Die with those 20 foot lyrics, Summer of 69 hit us and I think the entire Brighton audience seemed to go just a little crazy. Fabulous!
Bryan Adams: Photo for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn
There was a dancing “competition” for the crowd with the previously mentioned cameraman scanning the crowd for happy smiling faces. You Belong to Me invited a sudden rush of folks climbing on the person in fronts shoulders or waving wildly usually meant they secured a shot on the huge screen. Great fun, and to see folk going bananas as they saw themselves on the mega screen. Nicely done Mr Adams, and always good to see the occasional Canadian flag!
Cuts Like a Knife and then next up was the jangly guitar outing that is the title of the new album. Some powerful drums and bass backing Bryan on this one, So Happy It Hurts. Followed with These Are The Moments That Make Up My Life, this was the last song that included the full band.
The set played for us tonight gave us a great overview of Bryan’s songs, lyrics and guitar creations. He has a stable of thoroughbred top songs in his back catalogue. At one point Bryan asked someone at the front to stop filming, this was met with a huge cheer from the crowd. He manages to effortlessly mix the material from the all out rockers down to the warmth of his ballads, such as and Always Have, Always Will, and at times incorporating that piano I mentioned at the start being played beautifully.
Bryan Adams: Photo for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn
Time for the camera phone lights to come out for Straight From The Heart. The phones creating an undulating ocean of tiny lights. Adams was left on his own on stage for the last section with his acoustic guitar. He did a quick audience request slot. This gave the crowd a chance to link up and sing their hearts out one more time. The set came to a close with All For Love, originally recorded with Sting and Rod Stewart. Adams strumming the heck out of his well worn acoustic guitar. A perfect song to close.
Bryan Adams: Photo for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn
Bryan Adams perfectly channelled his personality and engaged with us all through the 2 hour set tonight. A dazzling display vocally and across his guitars. His band indeed were kick ass! Well played guys.
“there was something wrong, something missing” not tonight! Bryan Adams dropped a master-stroke. That’s how to do it. A real treat to be there.
And Finally…
Thanks to Bryan Adams and his team
Thanks to the Brighton Centre
Here at Scene Sussex we pride ourselves in working with artists, venues and promotion teams. The few photographers that were there were led to the side of the stage. We were told one song and given a set of instructions to follow. Left hand side of the stage only and we were informed that the song involved red down lighting and smoke. The video feed cameraman running his equipment on a track remotely, I think had a score sheet to see how many of us he could bump into during our allotted 3 minute song! We would have to wait approval for any photos of Bryan that we took. They are not the usual style of photos we use, but thankfully we got a few. Anyway, explanation done, thanks to the crew for arranging this photo opportunity, they were kinda busy, so hugely appreciated. It was great to be there.
Words and Pictures: Ian Bourn
We work hard with the artists, the venues and the crowd to bring you the best photos and reviews across the area. Keep Music LIVE! Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
Please note all original images / video are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists/promoters/venues want copies of the images – or more if available – please just get in touch.
All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2022.
Got an event coming up? Need some gig photography, promo shots, previews or reviews? – please get in touch! See you down the front – come and say “hi!”