Review: BA @ Bank of America Pavilion 8-3-07 Boston, MA

[StyxCollector]

I just got back from the Bryan Adams show at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston. The last time I saw BA live (other than DVD) was in 1987 on the Into the Fire tour when I was a teenager in Philly at the Spectrum. I remember that being a good show, and that album is still arguably my favorite album. I was at the Cheap Trick/Squeeze show a few nights ago at the BoA Pavilion and decided to just buy a ticket for this show on a whim.

I got to the venue a few minutes late. George Thorogood and the Destroyers were the opening act and were a few songs in. They played for just over an hour and were better than I expected to tell you the truth. I wouldn't go out of my way to see 'em, but they were at least entertaining.

Bryan and the band went on just after 9PM and played 'til about 10:35 or 10:40. It was a very good show. It leaned more towards the rockers, and unlike Europe where he apparently had a 'B' stage and did more acoustic stuff, most of the night it was a fully plugged in show. Bryan is back to the 5-piece band after doing the 3-piece (BA, Keith Scott, and Mickey Curry) for awhile (see the Live at Slane Castle DVD if you want to know what I'm talking about).

Bryan had a lot of energy, and even when the crowd didn't come up to his level or respond as he would hgave hoped, he didn't let it affect the show. There were not many moments like that, but it did happen. A good example would be "Open Road", or the "hey" part of "It's Only Love". BA and the band were very tight, but it was by no means a flawless show. BA forgot the lyrics to the second verse of "Back to You" which was funny to see. This performance was definitely not Memorex. "Somebody" was slowed down in tempo a tad. Some songs had slightly different arrangements in parts, but not to their detriment.

The setlist I felt was a relatively safe one and pretty hit-friendly (although I expected it). I wish he would have done at least one song from Into the Fire or pulled out something like "Fits Ya Good", but those are minor quibbles. What was good was that he didn't really go ballad heavy, although what he did play, people appreciated. I think "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" was more well received than "Heaven" believe it or not.

Standout songs this evening were "Summer of '69", "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You", "Cuts Like A Knife", "Kids Wanna Rock", "18 'Til I Die" and "Straight From The Heart".

If you like BA and live in North America, you should have a good time when he comes around near you. The set I saw is shorter (but nearly in the same order) than what he's been doing recently in Europe (where he arguably is more popular), but for a show that is entertaining and cheap by today's ticket standards, you can't beat the value.

Here is the setlist (in order):
There Will Never Be Another Tonight
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
Somebody
Kids Wanna Rock
Open Road
18 'Til I Die
Let's Make A Night To Remember
Back To You
Summer Of '69
(Every Thing I Do) I Do It For You
Cuts Like A Knife
When You're Gone
It's Only Love
Heaven
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Run To You

Encore (BA Acoustic Solo)
Straight From The Heart
All For Love

[Rockindeano]

Bitchin.

Can't fuckin wait.

[Red13JoePa]

Closing w/ All For Love?

Pure shit.

[Rockindeano]

Closing w/ All For Love?

Pure shit.

That BA setlist is better than any Journey set list. Easily.

[*Laura]

Thanks for the review,SC,sounded like a really cool show.
Just wondering about "Heaven" - was the same changed version that BA did on the Lisbon DVD?I guess your familiar with it,if not I'll post a YouTube of it.
That uptempo "Heaven" is the coolest thing he's ever done,I like it even better than the original.

I think closing with AFL is a great idea,not "pure shit"
BA is not stupid,he knows how to please the crowd.I'm sure EVERYONE sang it word for word - that's an awesome way to end a concert.

[Rockindeano]

Thanks for the review,SC,sounded like a really cool show.
Just wondering about "Heaven" - was the same changed version that BA did on the Lisbon DVD?I guess your familiar with it,if not I'll post a YouTube of it.
That uptempo "Heaven" is the coolest thing he's ever done,I like it even better than the original.

I think closing with AFL is a great idea,not "pure shit"
BA is not stupid,he knows how to please the crowd.I'm sure EVERYONE sang it word for word - that's an awesome way to end a concert.

13 will say anything, truthful or not, to discredit BA. Remember, this is a guy that thinks Survivor is better than BA. I oughtta beat his ass for that remark.

[Red13JoePa]

Closing with a ballad is pure shit.
Journey ending the Vig DVD w/ F? Pure shit.

And I NEVER said Sur was better, just said to me BA, S and Jrny are all comparably great, with different levels of sales.

What I said was right now this FORUM does not warrant being moved to the top, the Survivor forum is more active, with more regular, entertaining posters.

And YOU running rampant down here like a mini Reardon running up the thread count does NOT mean it's a more vital forum right now.

[Rockindeano]

Closing with a ballad is pure shit.
Journey ending the Vig DVD w/ F? Pure shit.

And I NEVER said Sur was better, just said to me BA, S and Jrny are all comparably great, with different levels of sales.

What I said was right now this FORUM does not warrant being moved to the top, the Survivor forum is more active, with more regular, entertaining posters.

And YOU running rampant down here like a mini Reardon running up the thread count does NOT mean it's a more vital forum right now.

You really don't think I could have this place ablaze and on fire if I didn't want too?

I like Survivor, they were a good band, but Bryan Adams has been on top of his game for 26 years. He has surpassed Journey. He is approaching Bruce Springsteen like status over in Europe...in fact may very well be as big or even bigger than the Boss.

[Red13JoePa]

Ben

Why, dude?

Why?


Shania already knows who I am anyway.

[Louie]

I like Survivor, they were a good band, but Bryan Adams has been on top of his game for 26 years. He has surpassed Journey. He is approaching Bruce Springsteen like status over in Europe...in fact may very well be as big or even bigger than the Boss.

Is BA playing 50,000 seaters over there now? Bruce does...
I love BA but come on...

How was the crowd size at this gig?

[Rockindeano]

He plays the 25,000 seaters on a continuing basis but yes, he plays the 50-100,000 seat stadiums in Europe all the time.

[Andrew]

Closing w/ All For Love?

Pure shit.

Yeah, that's a WTF for sure...but otherwise, sounds very cool.

[Rockindeano]

Closing w/ All For Love?

Pure shit.

Yeah, that's a WTF for sure...but otherwise, sounds very cool.

No dude, TOTO playing Rosanna is PURE SHIT. Playing that crap infested shit song at all is an embarrassment. All For One Live is great..great fan involvement.

[Liam]

Closing w/ All For Love?

Pure shit.

Yeah, that's a WTF for sure...but otherwise, sounds very cool.

No dude, TOTO playing Rosanna is PURE SHIT. Playing that crap infested shit song at all is an embarrassment. All For One Live is great..great fan involvement.

I get the feeling you don't like Toto, dude?!?!

All for love I can actually see being a good closer. It may be a ballad...but it's a great one. VERY recognizable and good to get the audience involved for a sing along for "one last hoo-rah".

[larryfromnextdoor]

i do like that hes still has When You're Gone, he could have easily done Cloud #9 or Fearless,, for some reason i really like that album On a Day Like Today!!

[StyxCollector]

Is BA playing 50,000 seaters over there now? Bruce does...
I love BA but come on...

How was the crowd size at this gig?

YOu can't compare US audiences to Europe for BA. Check out the Live at Slane Castle DVD. BA is huge in Europe.

In the US, he's generally doing medium (3000 - 5000 seat) type venues in most markets. That's still better than most acts who are relegated to 1 - 2000 seaters.

[Rockindeano]

Is BA playing 50,000 seaters over there now? Bruce does...
I love BA but come on...

How was the crowd size at this gig?

YOu can't compare US audiences to Europe for BA. Check out the Live at Slane Castle DVD. BA is huge in Europe.

In the US, he's generally doing medium (3000 - 5000 seat) type venues in most markets. That's still better than most acts who are relegated to 1 - 2000 seaters.

How right you are. Slane Castle had 170,000 people.

[Andrew]

Closing w/ All For Love?

Pure shit.

Yeah, that's a WTF for sure...but otherwise, sounds very cool.

No dude, TOTO playing Rosanna is PURE SHIT. Playing that crap infested shit song at all is an embarrassment. All For One Live is great..great fan involvement.

Rosanna rocks live....

[Rockindeano]

Closing w/ All For Love?

Pure shit.

Yeah, that's a WTF for sure...but otherwise, sounds very cool.

No dude, TOTO playing Rosanna is PURE SHIT. Playing that crap infested shit song at all is an embarrassment. All For One Live is great..great fan involvement.

Rosanna rocks live....

No it doesn't.

Look, you like Toto, and I love Lukather. you forget I got fucked up with Steve one night and love the guy, but for you to say Toto is better than Bryan Adams and Keith Fucking Scott is sacrilegious. Complete Bullshit. I wll ask SL next time I see him.


Me: "Steve, Andrew from Melodicrock.com thinks Toto is a better band than Bryan Adams.
Steve L: Oh fuck no we aren't. Not even close. That guy has sold 80 million worldwide albums and he would bury us. If we toured, we would open..No doubt. does he need an opener? He opened for Journey? That would be a bad joke to play on someone. Adams would close for both us and Journey. Andrew, what the fuck is wrong with you?"


There is your Steve Lukather dialogue with me in a LA suburb.

[Marc S]

Rosanna is one of the best numbers of all time. I love Toto, but I love BA and Keith Scott too, both in their own right. They don't compare easily - BA has more 'Elvis' in him, but Toto and particularly Lukather will play anyone under the table, anytime - in fact the whole band is an advert for ultimate musicianship and BA will agree with that. I met Lukather about 12 years ago when he did an impromptu stand in gig for Paul Rodgers at a tiny venue called Rock City in Nottingham - the guy was pure class and busked the whole gig. You can't really compare the two. Anyway, BA is an honorary Smelly Euro now....

[*Laura]

Anyway, BA is an honorary Smelly Euro now....

And I'm SO proud of him!


Btw,you are right,Marc,Toto and BA are 2 different animals.However,it's very easy to be fan of both acts (I sure am).
They've each released memorable songs throghout the years.

[Marc S]

*Laura

And I'm SO proud of him!

Btw,you are right,Marc,Toto and BA are 2 different animals.However,it's very easy to be fan of both acts (I sure am).
They've each released memorable songs throghout the years.

Exactly, I agree totally - why should Toto get dissed? There's not a logical, intelligent or coherent basis for this view. Toto are awesome, so is BA. End of.