On the evening of December 8, 2024, the humid air of New Town was replaced by the crisp, nostalgic chords of a Fender Stratocaster. For decades, Kolkata’s rock aficionados had waited for the legendary Canadian groover to finally put the “City of Joy” on his map. As the opening stop for the “So Happy It Hurts” India Tour, the gig at Aquatica wasn’t just a concert; it was a long-overdue reunion between an icon and his most passionate fanbase.

Brayan adams India tour in 2024

The Performance: 65 Going on 18

Bryan Adams walked onto the stage in his signature effortless style, proving that age is just a number when you have a voice like sandpaper and honey. He kicked off the night with the high-octane “Kick Ass,” immediately setting the tempo. By the time the first few bars of “18 Till I Die” echoed through the water park complex, the thousands in attendance were transported back to the 90s.

One of the standout moments was the sheer “jugalbandi” between Adams and his longtime lead guitarist, Keith Scott. Their chemistry on stage remains one of the most scintillating sights in rock, especially during the extended solos of “Cuts Like a Knife.”

bryan adams in kolkata

The Setlist: Hits, Anthems, and Heartbreak

The setlist was a masterclass in pacing, blending high-energy rock with those power ballads that have defined Kolkata’s “pujo” playlists and school socials for generations:

  • The Anthems: “Can’t Stop This Thing We Started,” “Run To You,” and of course, the deafening sing-along to “Summer of ’69.”
  • The Ballads: “Heaven” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” turned the venue into a sea of phone torches, a modern-day take on the lighter-flicks of the past.
  • The Surprise: A raw, soulful rendition of “Straight From the Heart,” which Adams dedicated to his 96-year-old mother.

bryan adams concert in kolkata

The “Kolkata” Factor

Kolkata audiences are known for being vocal, but even Bryan seemed taken aback. At one point, he paused to ask the crowd, “Is it always like this to play in Kolkata? Because if it is, I’ve got to come back more often!” The local rock royalty was also in the house, with Rupam Islam of Fossils and other local indie artists spotted in the crowd, bridge-building the gap between international legends and the local scene.

The Reality Check

Of course, it wouldn’t be a massive gig without some “calling all gigs” style transparency. While the music was a 10/10, the management at Aquatica left many fans sweating—and not just from dancing. From the 2km trek from the parking lot to the “monumental” lines at the F&B stalls, the infrastructure struggled to keep up with the 20,000+ crowd. But as the final notes of “All For Love” faded, the consensus was clear: the wait was worth it.