Scott Tady
PITTSBURGH – Bryan Adams started small and surprisingly Sunday on his way to a high-energy, solidly rocking concert.
Once the clock struck 9 p.m., the house lights darkened as Adams caught fans off guard, emerging alone on the small “B” stage at the farthest end of the PPG Paints Arena floor from the main stage.
Strumming an acoustic guitar, the Canadian rocker sang “Can’t Stop This Thing We Started” then the first of many hits, “Straight From The Heart,” as the fans surrounding him snapped closeup proximity photos perfect for sharing on their socials.
Normally featured halfway or two-thirds through a show, the B-stage made for a cool launching pad for Adams, who then strode the length of the arena floor to the main stage, giving fist bumps to excited spectators. At that point, the special free wristbands distributed to all concertgoers flashed various colors for a nifty visual effect that would happen again multiple times during his two-hour performance.
Adams’ voice sounded stellar throughout, that wisp of a rasp giving him a signature sound that brought warm familiarity to hits like “Run to You,” “This Time” and “Have You Ever Really Loved Somebody.” Before “It’s Only Love,” he playfully asked for forgiveness before tackling the song’s challenging Tina Turner vocal parts.
Adams’ band rocked out, even transfixing his fans on new songs like “Never Ever Let You Go” and “Roll With The Punches,” which was accompanied by a giant, inflatable silver boxing glove floating above the audience. “Please Forgive Me” spawned a spontaneous audience singalong.
Megahit ballad “Heaven” got a rhythmic tweak, sounding more kicky courtesy the drum accents from Pat Steward.
Adams bantered cheerfully with the 9,000 or so fans (the arena’s upper bowl was closed off), calling out a guy sporting a glittery jacket, and choosing to add “Kids Wanna Rock” to the setlist after seeing a younger fan holding a sign requesting that song.
“You Belong to Me” had a rockabilly gallop, infused with a bit of “Blue Suede Shoes.” Adams encouraged concertgoers to dance along, and told guys if nothing else, they could take off their shirts and whip those garments above their head. A bunch of guys did just that, as did one woman, shown on the video screen in her bra dancing along carefree.
From the buoyant and cleverly titled “The Only Thing That Looks Good on You Is Me,” to a tender “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” that got some couples holding hands and dancing, Adams blasted and breezed through an entertaining set.
His epic “Summer of ’69” began without fanfare or pomp — just Adams suddenly cranking out that famous and monstrous opening riff. Another big hit, “Cuts Like a Knife,” followed.
Fans headed to the exits were instructed to put their flashing plastic wristbands into recycling bins, like 3-D glasses at the movies.
Bottom line: Adams delivered an enjoyable night of music, teamed with the outstanding opening act of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.
With Benatar singing with full-throttle force and exceptional diction, and hubby Giraldo grinding out loud and flashy guitar riffage, the dynamic duo delighted fans with hits like “Promises in The Dark,” “Shadows of The Night,” a danceable “Love is a Battlefield and set-ender “Heartbreaker” enveloping much of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” In a quest for unity, Benatar sang a new song “Come Together” that fit in well with her fiery set. All that was missing was “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”
