The Metal Files

I’ve got Night Demon and Visigoth staying with me for a few days while they’re between shows on their current North American tour.  Night Demon stay with me regularly and even have a key to my house.  Solid dudes.  Their singer and I took the decision yesterday afternoon that we were going to go see Bryan Adams.  I was already planning on going and he was down for it.

The show was at the new-ish Cedar Park Center northwest of Austin and this was my second time seeing Bryan since 2012.  It was scheduled to start at 8PM with no opening act.  I had noticed that there were plenty of seats left when buying our tickets and we opted for the loge area at the back of this small arena.  Easy seating and close to the bar. Bryan took the stage at 815PM and I imagine that they were holding out for some additional people to get in to fill the place up a bit.  There were some sections that were cordoned off in the back as well.  No matter, on with the show.

He opened up with Do What Ya Gotta Do from his latest effort, Get Up.  It was followed up with Can’t Stop This Thing We Started from 1991’s Waking Up the Neighbours. He didn’t waste time getting to any of his hits with Run to You, Heaven and It’s Only Love and Kids Wanna Rock coming right after in the next handful of songs.

He played everything you would have expected to hear including 5 from his new album.  His band was great and the lead guitarist and drummer have been with him for 30+ years.  Their sound was phenomenal.  The mix in the venue was perfect and the guitar tones were great.  Four vintage Marshall half stacks on the back line.

Right before the encore, my friend and security manager for the venue sent a message and moved us up to the section beside the stage.  Sweet upgrade to catch a closer view of the band.  Thanks, Steve (aka Dave, Mike, Tom, John etc)!

Overall the show was fantastic.  If I had one disappointment, it would be that he didn’t play One Night Love Affair, which is my favorite song of his.  He didn’t play it at the 2012 show either.  Oh well.

Jarvis from Night Demon and Monkey Boy

Ooooooh. THAT’S what he meant.

During the encore, he had everyone turn on their cell phone lights.