www.18tilidie.co.uk


		07/12/05 - BELL CENTRE, MONTREAL Review by Montreal Gazette: Fans on cloud nine at Adams singalong Rocker, and tight band roll out all his hits. Anthems of love, and particularly youth, strike the loudest chord with audience: Bryan Adams keeps the Bell Centre hopping with hit after hit last night. Bryan Adams clearly loves Montreal, and the feeling was shriekingly mutual last night. From the get-go, when he took to the stage at 8:30 p.m. with a French version of his hit Here I Am, Adams had the 11,000 people in the Bell Centre solidly on his side. No preamble, no chit-chat, just a lanky Adams in black T-shirt and jeans launching right into one of his many chart-topping numbers that it seems everyone in the audience knew by heart. He segued into Room Service and then right into Somebody. The entire floor crowd was on their feet from the first song, and the walls of the hockey arena reverberated with the sound of thousands singing along. This was a love fest, pure and simple. No pyrotechnics, fancy sets or other distractions - it was just Adams, six guitars, his tight band and talent. For the 30- and 40-somethings forking out the bucks for tickets on his latest Canadian tour, Adams's anthems of love, and particularly youth, struck the loudest chord. His rendition of 18 Til I Die and Summer of 69 turned the joint into a huge dancing, swaying and finger-pointing singalong. "It's not how you look, it's how you feel inside," Adams sang, and the crowd lapped it up. At what point have camera phones become the new Bic lighters at concerts? It's as if the boomers needed some proof to show their pals that they do, indeed, still get out and party on occasion. Adams was a full 30 minutes into his set before he took a moment to address the crowd. "Bon soir, je suis Bryan," as if they didn't know. The spiky hair is still there, but Adams's trademark raspy voice was less so. He sang out loud and clear and didn't seem in need of a good throat lozenge. Lead guitar player Keith Scott was certainly having a ball, playing to the audience with a couple of blistering solos on Cuts Like a Knife and It's Only Love. The only low point was a gimmicky duet with a member of the audience on When You're Gone, the song he originally recorded with Mel C. of the Spice Girls. Joelle, she of unlimited confidence and self-promotion, was cringe-inducing on the solos. Girl, stick to your day job. Detractors say Adams sold out when he started writing for movies, but you know what? None of those detractors were there last night. Adams brought the house down with (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, from Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. He followed with I'm Ready, Hearts on Fire, Heaven and his 1981 classic, Lonely Nights. He picked up the pace in the last part of his excellent show with a couple of rocking numbers, whipping the audience into a frenzy over The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You, and It's Only Love. After the obligatory fake farewell, he returned for an encore with Cloud Number Nine ******** Show highlights by Alicja:** As with Quebec, everyone was on their feet from the start! We were able to admire the stage set even more so tonight as we were farther away from the stage. Love all those pretty, bright, contrasting colors and those natural black and whites too! Bryan spoke some French and whole lot more English tonight. He said he's been to Montreal a countless number of times and that he loves it there. And even though he's from Vancouver he credited Montreal and a gig he played in Point Claire back in 1981 as being the first place he ever felt something happen for him in Canada. Tonight's rendition of Hearts On Fire was the best I've heard so far! Aside from Bryan making up a whole new set of lyrics....lol....it was totally rocking! The beginning was prolonged with Mickey getting in on the action. They are really working that song and it truly is an amazing song to hear live! It took Bryan quite a long time to pick a WYG girl and the one he did pick was pretty sure of herself but she didn't know the words. The only words she knew and that she sang all throughout the song was: When You're Gone. She did it at the right times and then also at all the wrong times. Towards the end Bryan barely finished the song cuz he had to stop when she kept screaming it. It was funny and bad at the same time (one of the reviews in the paper the following day described it as the low-point of the night). Not only can Keith jump high as I witnessed about 3 times the night before, but he sure can throw that guitar up high in the air, it took awhile for it come back down..lol. Best Of Me had Bryan climbing from the floor section to the first tier. No Kids Wanna Rock :( hmmmmmm but, what came as a complete surprise was the FULL version of Please Forgive Me acoustically......wow, wow, wow. I remember hearing it live but it was usually the shortened version, can't remember the last time I heard the full version. I thought Quebec was LOUD, but with almost twice as many people at the Montreal gig, the crowd was indescribable. My, my those Canadians know how to ROCK!!! Before he left the stage (and it looked like he didn't want to) he dedicated tonight's gig to the Canadian that is being held captive in Iraq and told us to realize how lucky we are! I'm getting goose bumps all over again just writing this. ******** Review by Chantal Boulerice:** Wednesday night was the first live contact with bryan adams i was so exited wow when the first song started i couldn t believe it i got goosebump all over the songs were one after another the ambiance was extra everybody was up and dancing and the feeling we have singing live with bryan adams was magic what i loved the most was when bryan took his accoustic guitar and played alone just him on stage and the crowd he his very generous i will remember that show forever i hope he will comeback to montreal in the futur cause i know i will be there singing and dancing to the voice of bryan adams!

	Ž 2005 18 Til I Die.co.uk. All rights reserved. Web site comments to admin@18tilidie.co.uk

Pictures by Adriana, Chantal Boulerice and of course Teresa!

Bryan opening the show with 'Room Service'

Ba's sunburst strat returns to the stage for the first time in nearly a year for the Canadian tour

Bryan steps onstage and sends Montreal wild

Bryan on the drum riser watching a Keith solo during 'It's Only Love'!

BA taking a bow (sort of!)

Alicja's been tips on robbing posters from somewhere! ;)