Bryan Adams – Spark Arena, 4 February 2025: Review & Photo Gallery

Bryan Adams triumphantly returned last night to Auckland’s premier large indoor venue. Downtown’s Spark Arena and not surprisingly sold the place out.
His name precedes him as a maker of hits, both big ballads and out-and-out Rockers. Adams record sales make him one of the biggest artists of all-time, weighing in with plus one million units sold.

The kid from Ontario Canada is a frequent flyer it must be said, and he loves doing the live thing. Last here in 2019, he was to do many good deeds then. Like post-concert CD signings en masse and planting a tree for every ticket sold on his world tour. Big props there.

This leg of his world tour is branded So Happy It Hurts, on the back of his last record of the same name, and the previous tour tagline Roll with The Punches.

In support, X factor winner Brit James Arthur won fans over with his Folk-Pop balladry and tight band.

Arthur noted he’d come full circle, the first songs he ever performed publicly were Adams’.

If you missed him do not fret, he’s coming back soon for his own headlining tour.

In casual anticipation of the main event, an inflated silver boxing glove was rolled out and hovered around on propellered drones (things have come a long way since Pink Floyd’s blow-up pig floated about in the 70’s and 80’s).

Its departure from the arena cued Bryan Adams and band to take the stage, hitting hard with Kick Ass. A surprise with Adams rocking out on bass guitar.

Can’t Stop This Thing We Started, that big 90’s Rock shuffle put the band and us right into the groove, born out of the great Mutt Lange production/song-writing pairing.

1984 felt like Summer of ’69, for Adams it was the mega-huge record Reckless, that catapulted him into the high charts’ multiple times over.

The first cut off that record, Somebody, got an airing next, and sounded mint.

It helps to have the staying power of stellar musicians from that record still with him. Guitarist Keith Scott, working with Adams since 1981, is tailor-made for this music, and drummer Pat Steward has the groove and stadium high-octane energy in spades.

The lads pulled the tempo back a bit for Please Forgive Me, Adams opening the chorus in fine voice, one of his specialties.

One Night Love Affair, the opening cut off Reckless, reminded us of Adams prowess to write and perform big sing-along Rock anthems.

With many up dancing and rocking along, it was again a split decision to leave seating in the front floor area.

Shine A Light shone of course, a favourite and title cut from his last tour down under.

More from Reckless. Heaven, a usually big sultry ballad, was reworked to a more straight-ahead feel. Adams has retained his trademark raspy vocal, the gravel factor is in balance still.

He exhibited this on Go Down Rockin’, a Blues with a frantic sped-up ending.

Pausing to talk about his pal Tina Turner, and their musical experiences together, Adams tore into the opening gat riff of It’s Only Love.

Scott’s ’63 Fender Strat is so beat up, worn and dishevelled, but it sounded so spicy sweet. Acknowledging this bracket as a tribute to Turner, the band interwove tasters of The Best and What’s Love Got to Do With It into the mix.

Adams was to switch back and forth on bass throughout the night, and he played very well and sang simultaneously for that matter. But it was unusual for there to be no bass at times. One thinks that it can’t be an aesthetic choice, and perhaps their touring bassist Solomon Walker was ill?

Bass is such a foundation instrument in Rock’n’roll.  Between Adams and seasoned keyboardist Gary Brett, they had it mostly covered.

Adams voice sounds much the same and as good as it ever has. He’s a fit, young at heart fella at 65, and a reportedly clean lifestyle helps the cause too (a 30-plus year vegan).

In the space of ballads, you can hear he has no problems with pitch, and on (Everything I Do) I Do It for You, you got that.

It was also a great night for the band.  As a collective, things clicked and the fun-factor was through the roof.

Now we were getting into the definitive. Run To You, was archetypal Adams, and executed beautifully by the band, who were so in the flow.

To elevated cheers Scott opened that familiar guitar riff of Summer Of ’69, only to be interjected by Adams who raised the tempo a few bpm’s. Scott shrugged and laughed, the banter and interplay with Adams right-hand man was consistent all night.

Steward, who brought great energy and dynamics throughout the night, played on the studio cut of this one all those years ago, executed the drum breaks and groove to perfection.

We got time for one more ushered an impromptu rendition of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, with Adams again nodding at his influences.

Adams shifted to the back of the arena to take up an encore spot, solo.

Dedicated to his Mum, now 97 (and featured in his latest video), Adams breezed through Straight from The Heart. Backing himself on acoustic guitar and harmonica, it was a touching moment, as he recalled her total support of his wish to chase his musical dreams in the early days.

With a few chorus lines of Shine a Light, Adams urged everyone to adjust their phones and light it up for All For Love.

A great way to go out, and guaranteed Adams as a sure-fire hit this time around. Still doing it and still sounding great. Bryan Adams, you beauty!

Mike Beck

Photography by Jennifer De Koning

Bryan Adams

James Arthur

 Setlist

Kick Ass
Can’t Stop This Thing We Started
Somebody
18 Til I Die
Please Forgive Me
One Night Love Affair
Shine A Light
Heaven
Go Down Rockin’
It’s Only Love (medley with The Best & What’s Love Got to Do with It)
You Belong to Me
The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You
Here I Am
When You’re Gone
Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?
Always Have, Always Will
(Everything I Do) I Do It for You
Back To You
So Happy It Hurts
Run To You
Summer Of ’69
Cuts Like a Knife
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

Encore
Straight From the Heart
All For Love