25/07/99 - HYDE PARK, LONDON

Review by David Sinclair (The Times):
IF EVER there was a journey to the heart of Bryan Adams country, this was it. Arriving on stage with nothing particular to promote, he punched out a superlative "greatest hits" show for 17,000 eager fans.

The Canadian singer remains the anti-diva, the pop star as humble artisan who, if it ain't broke, is most definitely not going to fix it. But on this outing, his less-is-more philosophy was taken to new extremes. Accompanied by guitarist and backing singer Keith Scott and drummer Mickey Curry, Adams played bass himself, and that was it - as lean and parsimonious a line-up as you can get in rock'n'roll.

With the three musicians dressed entirely in white, and playing white instruments through white Marshall stacks, the scene looked positively virginal as they bounded through an initial string of favourites including "18 Til I Die", "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" and "Summer of '69". As Scott assailed his fretboard with a series of wah wah breaks during the controlled surge of "It's Only Love", they sounded for a moment like a lighter, more disciplined version of the prototype rock trio, Cream.

Although forced to work much harder than when he plays rhythm guitar, Adams nevertheless had plenty of energy left with which to woo the audience. A female fan who unfurled a banner bearing the legend "Bryan you big stud - take me now or lose me forever" had to suffer the embarrassment of being seated on the drum riser while Adams sang the schlocky "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?" in her honour.

But it was the songs themselves that proved the ultimate weapon of seduction, with Adams's shrewdly judged performance suggesting time and again that the "you" in his lyrics was really "us", the audience, a trick he pulled on "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" and the adorable "When You're Gone", in which Scott got the Mel C vocal part down to a T.

It all ended with a torrent of hits old and new, the power chords and throaty choruses rolling out like breakers into the night.

Setlist:
How Do Ya Feel Tonight
Back To You
18 Til I Die
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
Summer Of '69
It's Only Love
Everything I Do
Getaway
Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?
I Don't Wanna Live Forever
Cuts Like A Knife
When You're Gone
Before The Night Is Over
Blues Jam
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Cloud #9
Run To You
Please Forgive Me
Somebody
Kids Wanna Rock
C'mon Everybody
On A Day Like Today
Heaven

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Pics by Roberta & Anna

Poster for the show

Bryan rockin' out

Bryan with his bass

The k-man!

BA camping it up!

BA rockin' infront of the fans

Bryan signing for Roberta

Bryan and Anna