Ever since I first swayed to “Straight From the Heart” at a middle school dance, I’ve been a die-hard fan of Bryan Adams. His Reckless album, which dropped in the ’80s, became the soundtrack of my life, with hits like “Heaven,” “Somebody,” and “Summer of ’69” playing on repeat. I would have given anything to see him perform back then, but while I caught some iconic shows from Madonna and U2, Bryan remained elusive.
So, when I learned he was embarking on a reunion tour for Reckless, I knew I had to be there—especially since it coincided with my 21st wedding anniversary! Thanks to my grown-up paycheck, I snagged some amazing seats, and my husband even arranged for a babysitter. I may have indulged in a little pre-concert nap, knowing I’d be up late and had work the next day. Armed with earplugs—because, let’s face it, the ringing in my ears needed addressing—I was ready for an unforgettable night.
And what a night it was! Beyond the nostalgia, here are some of the lessons I picked up at the concert:
- Deep down, there’s a teenager in all of us—no matter our age. I mean, just look at the concert-goer rocking vintage jellies and neon bracelets, screaming like she’s 16 again. You do you, girl!
- The sight of a minivan with a stick-figure family unloading a bunch of tweens for a boy band concert is a riot, but nothing beats watching the same scene play out for a Bryan Adams concert with a crowd of 40- and 50-somethings.
- Turns out, middle-aged folks enjoy the same indulgences as the youth—drinks and a little greenery!
- There’s something about live music that revitalizes the spirit in a way that mundane tasks like cleaning cat barf or folding laundry simply can’t.
- Regardless of age, we all secretly hope our favorite artist will notice us in the crowd, form a connection, and become our bestie. (Yes, I said bestie—not girlfriend! Plus, Bryan is shorter than me, so that’s a hard pass!)
- Big assets still seem to steal the spotlight! Bryan put on quite a show trying to find the perfect gal to dance with him during “If Ya Wanna Be Bad, Ya Gotta Be Good.” Spoiler: he went with the skinniest girl who had the biggest… well, you get it.
- Rock stars live in a world where what’s a big deal for us—like attending a concert—is just another Tuesday for them, much like labor and delivery nurses or car salespeople.
- And let’s be real: “Summer of ’69” remains the ultimate anthem, hands down.
Attending that concert was an unforgettable highlight of my year. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have dinner to whip up, kids to shuttle to hockey practice, and a mystery odor in my minivan to investigate. As Bryan crooned, “It isn’t too hard to see we’re in Heaven.”
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Summary: Attending a Bryan Adams concert as an adult was a nostalgic experience filled with laughter, reflections on age, and the joy of live music. It reminded me that we all have a youthful spirit within us, regardless of our responsibilities.