13/03/03 - SPORTPALEIS, ANTWERP

Review by Franky Bruyneel:
Does Bryan Adams really need another introduction? If you ask me and a few million others out there, the answer would be a definite NO, but for all those who have been hiding under a rock for the past 2 decades here we go one more time: so far the guy has sold more than 60 million albums, had countless hit singles and recently added another one to that seemingly endless list in the shape of the ballad “Here I am”. Right now he’s in the middle of putting together the pieces of his next studio album that should be available this summer, but that didn’t stop him from paying his annual visit to our country. Needless to say the gig was sold out way before it actually took place.

The stage is where this Canadian rocker feels at home and that showed from the minute he hit it. Just like the show elements he brought with him, he kept the interaction between songs to a minimum. Instead he preferred the music to do the talking and the audience perfectly agreed with that.

The set list consisted of nothing but classics, but to make sure to keep things interesting for even the die hard fans Bryan and his band mates had re-arranged some of the songs by adding quite a few acoustic passages. It definitely added a new and fresh dimension to songs like “Summer of 69”, “Heaven” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”.

In spite of all his success Bryan has always kept a close relationship with his fans and to prove just how close a tie he has with them, he picked a girl named Kathleen (from the town of Deinze) from the audience to sing “Baby When You’re Gone” with him. Overwhelmed by emotions her vocal support was a bit shaky, but she was clearly having the time of her life standing side by side with her idol. And to top things off he invited another 25 fans to join him on a specially constructed mini stage at the back of the arena for a rousing version of “She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancing”.

After a 2 hour + performance Bryan and his band left the stage, but not for long as they will be back on May 10 to serve up another tasty dish. If you missed out the first time, then make sure you get in on the action of round two.

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Review by Carine Soete:
It was the first time I went to a Bryan Adams concert.After a ride of 2 hours we(Lut,Carine,Lieve and me) arrived .It was around seven and my friends wanted to eat something first.I wasn't hungry,I was so nervous and I only wanted to be as quickly as possible into the sportpalace.Around eight we entered the hall.When we found our seats I was a little bit disappointed, because we were sitting far from the stage, luckily there were big screens. At 8.15pm it was time for the support act of Vega 4.They were really good.Then it was time for the best artist in the world.I couldn't believe he was really there,but...he was: BRYAN ADAMS.He opened the concert with "Here Iam"After a few songs he introduced himself and the band.Then he told us he was going to sing a song with Tina Turner.We all looked at each other.Tina Turner,but after some seconds he said she couldn't come but there was always Keith.We all laughed.

Then the band started to play again and we sang and clapped in our hands.For the song "When you're gone" he choose a women to sing with him.She was from Deinze and she worked in a factory where they make design furniture.I don't think she knew the song because,although Bryan gave her a piece of paper with the lyrics,she couldn't sing it very well.Then after a few other beautiful songs the lights went off and we saw some people running threw the audience.Then the lights went on again and we saw Bryan,Keith and Mickey on a little stage just before our eyes. They were very close now. It was fun ,a real party. I couldn't stay in my seat,I danced and sang and screamed.It was rock in the old fashion way.They went back to the main stage to continue the show.Bryan also sang "Don't drop that bomb on me"He hoped the war against Iraq wouldn't begin...we all did.

Then the show was over.Bryan said thank you and see you soon and waved goodbye.I felt empty,I didn't want to go home.But I had to.My friends eated french fries afterwards .I couldn't eat,I couldn't eat for two days ,I wanted to go back,and I went back...May the 10th.

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Pictures by Franky Bruyneel

BA enjoying it onstage

Bryan waves to the audience as he walks onstage

Bryan on his sunburst strat

The K-man!