Bryan Adams brought his Rolling with the Punches Tour to the Utilita Arena Cardiff last night – and it was, without hesitation, one of the best concerts I have ever been to.
The night started smoothly, with fast-moving queues and some of the friendliest security staff you could hope to meet. Helpful, upbeat and full of excellent banter, they set the tone for what would become an unforgettable evening. We were seated up on the balcony, with what turned out to be some of the best seats I’ve ever had at any live show.
At 8pm sharp, Adams’ unmistakable voice filled the arena… yet the stage remained pitch black. I scanned the crowd and suddenly spotted him standing on a small platform at the back of the arena floor. He opened the show right there amongst the audience, performing a couple of numbers before casually walking through the crowd and up onto the main stage. It was my first time seeing him live – and wow, can he sing.
Several songs transported me straight back to my teenage years, but none more than (Everything I Do) I Do It for You. Instantly, I was back in my bedroom recording the Top 40 onto a cassette from Radio 1 on a Sunday, praying the DJ wouldn’t talk over the ending. As a lifelong Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves fan (a film I could probably recite word for word), it was a proper nostalgia punch.
Rolling with the Punches is Adams’ 16th studio album, released in August this year, and he showcased several tracks including Make Up Your Mind, Never Ever Let You Go and Roll with the Punches – the latter accompanied by a giant boxing glove floating around the arena, cleverly controlled by drones. The production throughout the night was incredible: sweeping lights, clever screen visuals and a sea of light-up wristbands that made the arena look magical.
One of the standout moments came during This Time, when the original 1983 music video played on the big screens – a brilliant throwback. And during You Belong to Me, Adams invited the entire crowd to show off their best dance moves and even swing their T-shirts above their heads, which the Cardiff audience did with absolute enthusiasm.
The atmosphere was easily one of the friendliest and most electric I’ve experienced. Genuine fans packed the arena, and when Summer of ’69 kicked in, the place erupted.
The night ended on a beautifully unexpected note: a stripped-back acoustic Christmas song that felt warm, intimate and festive – the perfect closing chapter to a truly outstanding show.
Bryan Adams didn’t just perform; he delivered a masterclass in live music, nostalgia and connection. Cardiff will be talking about this one for a long time.
