Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams kickstarted the evening in Kolkata’s Aquatica on Sunday with his 2021 song Kick Ass, warming up thousands of fans for a nostalgia-infused night filled with music, dance, interactions and iconic hits like Summer of 69.
Standing at a distance of around 70 metres from the stage, I could only manage hazy glimpses of Bryan’s face. Sporting an all-white ensemble, he strummed the guitar and crooned into the microphone, making the crowd erupt with excitement. As the first chords of “Let there be a kick-ass” hit the air, the energy in the venue skyrocketed, with fans dancing along to the electrifying beat.
From timeless rock anthems to soulful ballads, Bryan’s setlist was a celebration of his timeless hits. We were treated to soulful renditions of Please Forgive Me and Heaven, while classics like Summer of ’69, Here I Am and Shine a Light had the entire crowd on their feet, singing along with the pop sensation.
Bengali rock band Fossils lead singer Rupam Islam was also in attendance. “I knew I had to be at the concert the moment I heard Bryan was performing in Kolkata. I also had the incredible opportunity to meet him in person after the show,” he said after the concert.
Instagram/ @rupamislam
Singers Ujjaini Mukherjee, Upal Sengupta were among the several Bengali artistes who showed up to witness Bryan Adams’ magic live.
Expressing his gratitude to the fans and sharing his excitement about their incredible energy, Bryan said, “Thank you, everybody. Tell me something—are all the concerts here like this? Is it always this amazing when you play in Kolkata? Well, if that’s the case, I’ll be coming back more often.”
Bryan Adams concluded the show with the song Straight From the Heart from his 1983 third studio album Cuts Like A Knife, which he dedicated to his 96-year-old mother, Elizabeth Jane Adams.
The night felt like a celebration of music, memories, and connection as Bryan effortlessly weaved through his hits.
The Canadian rock musician is headed to perform in Bhoirymbong for his next gig on December 10 as part of the So Happy It Hurts tour, which will also include stops in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The 65-year-old singer previously toured India in 1993-94, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2018.
