The Lexington Opera House was host to an amazing concert last night. Bryan Adams, who you may know from his six platinum albums and 60 hit singles, was in Lexington for his 2009 U.S. acoustic tour. Joined by an excellent pianist (Gary Briet) for some, Brian played all his hit songs, some older selections off his first album, and others that no one expected to hear. This was the first rock concert since the Lexington Opera House renovations and it definitely broke it in. The orchestra levels and balconies were blanketed with eager fans that filled every seat in this sold out show.

The setting of the Lexington Opera House offered a unique experience for fans that have seen his big arena shows in the past. It was a comfortable concert that felt very intimate and relaxed. Between many of his songs (and during others), he would comment to the audience and tell various stories about the songs he was singing and the albums he wrote. In the middle of one of his songs he commented, “This would make a great country song,” and then started singing one of the verses with a country twang you would expect to hear from most country artists. For the song “It’s Only Love” he did a great Tina Turner impression (who recorded the song with him). Between his interactions with the audience, his requested Freebird cover (yes, he played a verse of Freebird when someone requested it) and the emotion he put into each song, Bryan was all smiles and seemed to be having just as much fun as the audience.

The set and venue could not have been better. The Opera House is designed with ideal seating that makes even the furthest seat seem close. The stage had a simple arrangement of lights that helped set the tone while still keeping it simple and casual. They would fade and change colors a couple times during each song and lit the back wall of the stage which provided a nice natural backdrop. As for instruments and amps, they were nowhere to be seen. The new house speakers were used which are on the sides, and the only instruments on stage were Bryan’s acoustic guitar, his harmonica (which he played for some songs), and a beautiful grand piano which Gary played. It was clean, homey and put the emphasis on the music and performers instead of the elaborate things going on behind them.

It truly was a great concert and perfect for the Lexington Opera House. He ended the night with a generous 5 song encore which was topped off with the song he recorded with Sting and Rod Stewart for the Three Musketeers soundtrack, “All For Love.” It had been 26 years since Bryan was here last, which was when he came to Rupp Arena and opened for Journey. We can all hope that he sticks to his word when he said, “I promise that it won’t be another 26 years before I come back!”