Bryan Adams with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts 2013 Tour

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Concert Review for Unrated Magazine

2023 Bryan Adams with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

July 2, 2023

Review: Dan Brodersen

Photos: Anita Maree

Rock & Roll Powerhouses Unleashed: Joan Jett and Bryan Adams Join Forces for an Epic Tour

What makes over 10,000 fans happy? An incredible night of rock music. The Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL welcomed the ‘So Happy It Hurts’ tour on July 2, 2023.

Starting the night off was rock-n-roll hall of famer Joan Jett with her band The Blackhearts. The Blackhearts just released their new digital EP called ‘Mindsets’ and it was great to hear fresh new songs sprinkled into her set list of superior classic rock hits. The Blackhearts opened with their new song, Shooting Into Space, and the fans immediately felt the energy. Joan Jett’s stage mastery and raw-punching vocals shine with unmatched intensity. Fans stood up and sang along to Joan’s classic world-wide hits like Cherry Bomb, Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah), Fake Friends, Crimson & Clover, Bad Reputation, I Hate Myself for Loving You, and of course her biggest hit, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll. The band also performed a few other new songs including the catchy new single If You’re Blue, and (Make the Music Go) Boom which has the perfect blend of the timeless punk/rock sound fans are familiar with. The band concluded their set with the thoughtful new bar-clinking song Whiskey Goes Good. Unrated Magazine has covered Joan Jett and The Blackhearts for nearly 40 years. The entire band was on fire, leaving no doubt in the minds of fans that they still dominate the music scene with unparalleled energy and passion.

Sometimes with an arena filling beep of a car horn, rock-n-roll just forges on, and that is exactly what happened. About 10 minutes before Bryan Adams and his band took the stage for their two hour set, from behind the giant video screen, out came a flying convertible that made its way around the arena with headlights on. It was a play off his video ‘So Happy It Hurts’ that features his mom and dog. After the flying car returned behind the massive video screen, the band walked onto the stage to start the show under a mystic dull red stage lighting with their fun new song Kick Ass. The legendary rock icon brought his electrifying energy and performed his classic hits including Somebody, Please Forgive Me, One Night Love Affair, Heaven, (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, and huge crowd favorite Summer of ’69. Audience participation was happening with every song as the fans were singing and dancing along to each song he performed. Of course, the concert would not have been complete without a few more of his iconic hits. He performed Cuts Like A Knife, Run to You, Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman, Can’t Stop This Thing We Started, and Straight From the Heart.

The Canadian singer/songwriter Bryan Adams’ is a testament to his enduring talent and unwavering connection with his fans. Through a seamless fusion of classic hits and new songs, he showcased his ability to evolve while staying true to his rock roots. With each electrifying moment, Adams proved once again why his songs remain timeless classics, leaving Chicago in awe and with memories that will last a lifetime.

As his song says, “ If you like kick ass rockin’ music, we’re a kick ass rockin’ band.” Why yes you are!