Bryan Adams / Nerina Pallot (Live @ Sheffield Arena, March 11, 2002)

Nerina Pallot

Opening the set for a rock legend such as Byran Adams is a tall order for any band. Sweaty palms, pressure, crowd expectation…you've got to get it right. And in these cases, it certainly helps when you pick a future gem rather than some 80's band has been. Fortunately, female songstress Nerina Pallot is one of the brightest stars to come out of her respective niche in years- and despite a lack of audience control in between songs, her tunes do enough talking by themselves to keep the masses happy.

The super creamy melodies of songs such as Patience and Over You are enchanting pieces of work, and whether she's playing acoustic guitar, soft centered keyboards or you're just wishing she'd sing for you at your wedding with her sultry smooth voice, you're going to love her.

That is of course, on the basis you like good, professionally written pop with substance. Her freshly penned, fourtcoming single - the bubblier, go-go vibes of Photograph - is another one to watch out for, while by the evidence of her onstage set her last release Dear Frustrated Superstar is maybe one of the best album investments you'll make.

Praise to Nerina's electric guitarist to for rocking things up with some slick solos - he even gave Byran Adam's guitarist Keith Scott a run for his money! And our songstress of the moment? Looks like a princess, sings like an angel, and really turns it on live - Sheffield arena, Nerina Pallot.

Verdict - @@@@

Bryan Adams

"You know its true - everything I do, I do it for you" awwwwwww (or arrrrrrgh as the case maybe!), those immortal words. It could only be Mr Adams, couldn't it?

Forget the apple, forget Eve's husband, forget the family and don't confuse him with the similarly named Ryan. Byran Adams - holder artiste of the UK's longest number one single - is still the greatest of the Adams variety.

There's nothing like a bit of hype for a musician who deserves it, and in starting the set, BA sure as hell takes off memorably - last single Coming Back To You being hotly followed by old fav's Summer Of 69 and Can't Stop This Thing We Started.

Although real Byran Adams paradise is a musical land that can be visited via Heaven and I Thought I'd Died And Gone To Heaven - don't be put of by the dumb- foolery of the samey titles, for these are some of the most classic rock ballads you'll ever witness.

Frankly, heavyweights are always going to be the order of the day at gigs such as these, and as a result its very difficult to criticise. The charmingly titled The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me… Is You and the title track itself from his 1996 solo release are some of the few newer offerings, although there's not a single grove featuring from his last studio composition, On A Day Like Today.

Into The Fire - an underrated Adams number - shines vintage-ly, although the general heavenly fashion of the set comes back down to earth with a mighty crash at times during the encores, when Adams and crew go off on bluesy filler crusade that's highly unimpressive.

Unfortunately these ears couldn't comment on the rest of the encore because of having to leave for a train home - hardly professional, but then neither is not having a car or public transport.

A strange way to conclude - nouvelle maybe, but a waste of time when other big hits could be in their place. No arguments can be had over the quality of Adams voice - high ranging, powerful and with just a touch of Canada dry, he didn't miss a note. While Adams is on bass, Keith Scott swaps between Strat's and Les Paul's like a kid who can't decide between Smarties and Rolo's, and, praise the rockin' Lord, its solo over kill to da max, although there's no keyboards sadly. It's just a damn fine rock show - and while the set could be a bit longer to please those who have paid good money, no-one could walk away from a show like this and say they were robbed. In spite of the criticisms, overall the Byran Adams live experience is worth every second. I'm Gonna Run To You…

Verdict - @@@@