Bryan Adams shows why he is amongst the greats

Bryan Adams delivered a two-hour set with absolute skill and class. Photo / Shaun Ross

Bryan Adams; Black Barn Vineyards' offsite venue in Tukituki Valley; Saturday, January 6.
Reviewed by Astrid Austin

Illuminated by a single spotlight and the glow of thousands of mobile phones, Bryan Adams; on his own, with just a guitar in his hands belted out All for Love — ending his sold out show, albeit too quickly.

Rewind five hours and the Jordan Luck Band, led by former lead and singer songwriter of The Exponents Jordan Luck, kicked off the star-studded line-up.

Bryan Adams shines in Hawke's Bay.

New Zealand music scene veteran Dave Dobbyn made his performances look so easy and performed an array of classics, including Language, Whaling and Be Mine Tonight. He closed with stand-out delivery of patriotic anthems Slice of Heaven and Welcome Home.

Everyone knew the tunes, singing along with ''da da da ba da da da da''.

Then came the headline act, Canadian superstar Bryan Adams, who has created the soundtrack of many people's lives, with 13 albums of world-class material since the 80s.
There was a mighty roar through the 10,000-strong crowd as the rock star emerged to rapturous applause.

The band walked on, resplendent in black blazers and jeans and played, one after the other, One Night Love Affair, Can't Stop This Thing We Started and Run To You.

It was just the beginning. Adams gave us all his big hits, through to songs from his recent album, Get Up, released in 2015.

At 58, Adams sure knows how to get around the stage and he didn't disappoint, running from side to side throughout the two hours.

Stand-out musicianship and performances were delivered by all, from the drums and rhythm section to piano/keyboards and guitar.

The rapport with lead guitarist Keith Scott, who first started working for the then-unknown Adams during the late-70s, was evident.

At times they were jamming on their guitars facing each other, or they were messing about slapping each other and spinning around, all while sporting ear-to-ear smiles and endearing the crowd.

Scott certainly showed his skill, performing solos throughout the sho, and an almost-successful over-shoulder-guitar-sling move that nearly sent it flying off the stage — but he caught it and kept going.

A large screen at the rear of the stage flashed black-and-white images of female models dancing, clips from vintage videos or live, real-time crowd shots, as well as lyrics floating across the screen.

Adams teased the crowd before singing 1984 hit It's Only Love, playfully stating, "I recorded this song way back with the great Tina Turner and ... she's not here.''
Other hits included 18 Til I Die, I Say Yeah as well as the undeniable drum-beat and chords of Summer of 69.

For a singer of his calibre and prestige, to stand on a stage with no band and perform acoustic versions of two of his hits, undeniably displays the class of the true performer that Adams most certainly is.

His set was pure, simple and honest music, delivered with nothing short of perfection.