DVD review: BRYAN ADAMS – Live At Wembley

Eagle Rock [Release date 14.10.16]

Finally released 30 years after the event, this DVD captures the second of his sold out shows at Wembley stadium. Bryan Adams was promoting his recently released ’18 ‘Till I Die’ album and there is a fair sprinkling of songs off that album contained in the set list.

Great set list with some choice covers like ‘Wild Thing’ and the Clash’s ‘I Fought The Law But The Law Won’, which the band really get fired up on. He even has a bot of audience participation as a young lad, possibly well refreshed, is invited up on stage to ‘sing’ an out of tune version of ‘Summer Of ’69′, luckily the proper version gets played towards the end of the evening.

Mid set the band decamp to a mini-stage in the centre of the crowd and allows the audience in the middle and back to experience being closer to the action. Mind you by the last song on this stage, ‘She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancin’ the band are nearly engulfed by enthusiastic fans joining them on the tiny stage for a dance.

The band are integral to a Bryan Adams show with guitarist Keith Scott, in his eye-watering yellow trousers, all over the stage and playing each solo with total passion and commitment. Long time drummer Mickey Curry keeps the rhythm going along with bass player Dave Taylor and Tommy Mandel on keyboards comes into his own on the massive hit ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It For You’.

No bonus features or various sound mixes, just the concert although that is what most fans will want. Bryan Adams always gives his all at his concerts and even today you can still guarantee a show over two hours long. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Nikk Gunns adds…

By 1996 Bryan Adams could do no wrong. The Canadian superstar had released hit album after hit album and the British record buying public had gifted him the UK’s longest staying number one record- yes that song- and still he was on top. Touring in support of his recent, and massively successful, “18 ‘Til I Die” album, new DVD “Wembley 1996 Live” was filmed at the iconic Wembley Stadium and to this day still remains one of my favourite gigs.

With a 24 song set list packed with hit singles and fan favourites, performed by one of the tightest live bands out there, it is not hard to see what has made Adams the consistently popular artist that he is. “Touch The Hand”, “Run To You”, “Seven Nights To Rock” and a stunning rendition of “It’s Only Love” featuring Melissa Etheridge singing the duet part made famous by Tina Turner, are just a handful of the highlights here. In fact the only dodgy thing on display here is the leather trousers Adams has chosen to wear for the gig.

Lead guitarist Keith Scott is the secret weapon throughout Bryan Adams long career as he is undoubtedly a guitar hero in the same league as Sambora is, or was, to Bon Jovi. It is this solid guitar work that means that ballads such as “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” and “Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman” can sit comfortably next to the more upbeat tracks like “Summer Of ‘69” and “Kids Wanna Rock”.

After 20 years it is great to finally have a copy of this gig on DVD and I can confirm it still holds up as one of my favourite gigs after all these years. *****

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