Bryan Adams Thetford Forest Live June 20 concert review

With Starship's ‘We Built This City’ playing on the speaker, the tone of last night’s rock-heavy concert at Thetford Forest was set as soon as I walked in at 7pm. 

Considering doors had only opened two hours prior, the entire field was packed with music fans either enjoying a post-work beer, evening meals from the many food stands or just relaxing in the sun. 

At the foot of the forest, nestled in between several huge trees, sat the massive main stage. So far, not much had changed from previous years of the June-set event series - that was, unless, you had forked out for the most expensive ticket. 

At the steep sum of £145 (plus booking fee), VIPs received access to a separate area which, new for 2024, includes plenty of seating (including some benches in the shade), a range of food stalls, posh loos, queue-less bar and even a branded swing. 

In a similar way to how BST Hyde Park now works, it also means that the more money you shell out, the closer to the stage you can get – great for die hard fans of the night’s headliner. 

Come 9pm and it was time for the main man's arrival. Humbly walking on stage with his band - but noticeably without any major fanfare - Bryan Adams got things off to an energetic start with ‘Kick Ass’. 

'Can't Stop This Thing We Started' had the 8,000-strong crowd clapping along as the giant screens at either side of the stage showed black and white panoramas of the audience.

Just ten minutes in, it was clear this was going to be a good old fashioned classic rock gig, with plenty of participation.

Bryan Adams headlines Forest Live concert at Thetford Forest on June 20 (Image: Forest Live)

Wearing black trousers, a leather jacket and with his hair slicked back, the Canadian artist looked great for 64.

Alongside mechanical visuals of a well-oiled cog in a machine, the rollicking yet straight forward ‘18 til I Die’ further proved that age certainly is just a number.

Pacing across the stage, he regularly got close to his fans, many of whom were ecstatic to be within touching distance of their idol.

Admittedly, the majority of his songs may have similar themes - either romance or not kicking up his boots - but there's no denying his effortless charisma and showmanship.

Keeping mid-song chat to a minimum, he instead let the countless anthems from across his back catalogue do the talking.

Heart-stirring ballads ‘Heaven’ and '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You' had couples hugging each other and swaying, before he pulled a harmonica out for the added throwback or ‘Go Down Rockin’.

Adams even made time for a tribute to "the great Tina Turner", for whom he wrote the song 'It's Only Love' when he was just 23-years-old.

The band's brilliant performance of that song ended with a jaw-droppingly impressive guitar solo from Keith Scott, before it segued into brief snippets of ‘Simply The Best’ and 'What's Love Got To Do With It?' 

During a back to back of 2022 hit ‘So Happy It Hurts’ and 1984-throwback ‘Run To You’, a giant inflatable car - the one from his album artwork - soared over the crowd in circular fashion. 

While many people reached for their phones to record this Back to the Future-esque moment, it was the anthemic ‘Summer of '69’ that, perhaps expectedly, received the biggest reaction of the night -- a timeless classic that all generations know and love. 

After 90 minutes, there was no doubt that - five decades into his career - Bryan Adams is still one of the world's best live musicians.

Earlier in the evening, screamo artist Cassyette delivered an opening show that was equally thrilling.

Cassyette performing at Thetford Forest for Forest Live on June 20 (Image: Forest Live)

The Essex-based musician might have been a heavier opening act choice than fans of Bryan Adams expected, but she really gave it her all.

Sporting a Slipknot t-shirt and performing with a full live band who clearly relish being in a rock band, she managed to get pockets of the incredibly middle class (and mostly middle-aged) audience jumping and headbanging together to tracks like her Radio 1-supported hit ‘Mayhem.

Teasing that her debut album is out August 23, the tattooed, sunglasses-wearing talent got a lot of cheers when she revealed its title: ‘This World F*cking Sucks’. 

She was also honest and open about her emotions, including dedicating her new song ‘Four Leaf Clover’ to her late dad.

Thanking Bryan Adams for taking her on tour before her closing two songs, she likely left East Anglia with a new legion of fans. 

The Thetford Forest Live series continues on Saturday June 22 as Sting performs.

Other acts to come are Paloma Faith (June 27), Tom Jones (June 28) and Olly Murs (June 30).

Ticket details: forestryengland.uk/music.