Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams is set to return to South Africa in April, with decades of hits, a new album and his raspy voice behind some of the world’s most beloved rock anthems.

For Adams, whose career has spanned more than 40 years, the thrill of touring remains as powerful as ever. He will soon take the stage again for South African audiences and fans in Pretoria who have supported his music since the early days of his international success.

From arena sing-alongs to emotional ballads, Adams’ concerts have long been known for their energy and connection with fans.

He spoke to Rekord about his forthcoming tour.

Despite a career that has taken him across the globe countless times, Adams says the core motivation behind touring has never changed.

“I love singing,” he says. “Plus I have a new album called Roll with the punches and I want to tell everyone about it.”

The upcoming tour coincides with the release of the new album, adding fresh material to a repertoire already packed with classics. While fans may expect to hear the songs that made him a household name, the new record signals that the veteran musician is still moving forward creatively.

South Africa, meanwhile, holds a special place in his touring calendar.

Adams says the anticipation of returning to local stages is shared by his entire band.

“We cannot wait,” he says. “Our last tour was really well received, so we are really looking forward to returning.”

That enthusiasm reflects a relationship that has developed over decades.

Adams began performing for South African audiences after the country’s political transition in the 1990s, and he has returned several times since. Looking back on those early visits, he said he was struck by how far his music had travelled.

“I can remember the early shows being good and thinking how incredible it was that the songs had reached all the way to the southern hemisphere,” he says. “You have to remember, I am from Canada, and I have had no expectations that any of this was going to happen. So grateful and thankful.”

Part of Adams’ enduring popularity lies in songs that have become deeply woven into people’s lives. Tracks like Summer of 69 and Heaven are not just hits but personal soundtracks for millions of listeners.

Asked how it feels to perform music that carries such strong memories for fans, Adams says he shares in that emotional connection.

“I feel the same as them,” he explains. “I love that they have become part of the lexicon of music. They have come a long way from the basement where they were written.”

The songs may date back decades, yet they continue to find new audiences.

Adams believes the reason may lie in the traditional approach to songwriting and recording that defined his early work.

“Perhaps because it is traditional songwriting, before computers took over,” he says. “Plus, they were recorded with real musicians who are with me for this South African tour. Other than that, I have no explanation other than they are good songs.”

While Adams is best known as a rock performer, his creative life stretches well beyond music. Over the years, he has built an acclaimed career as a photographer and has also been involved in humanitarian and environmental causes. He says those different pursuits help keep his creativity fresh.

“It is like the old adage: ‘A change is as good as a rest’,” he says. “So when I get stuck into something else, it inevitably helps when I get back to the music.”

Touring itself also continues to evolve for Adams. Alongside his full band shows, he sometimes performs more intimate concerts with only an acoustic guitar.

Those stripped-down performances offer a very different experience from the high-energy arena shows that fans expect from his rock tours.

“You learn from both,” he says. “I like moving forward, so gigging is a great way to figure out what’s next.”

For the South African tour, audiences will experience the full band performance, complete with the musicians who have helped shape the sound of Adams’ live shows for years.

As artists grow older, many speak about a deeper relationship with their audiences, especially when fans have grown up alongside the music. Adams says that long-term connection is one of the most remarkable parts of his career.

“It is amazing to see how the music has stood the test of time,” he says.

He also believes that music plays a powerful role in connecting people, especially in countries with strong cultural identities.

“Music is the tie that binds us,” Adams says. “If you are lucky to live in a country like South Africa, it defines you.”

The singer said he has always been fascinated by places where music is deeply woven into everyday life, recalling his time living in Jamaica in the 1990s.

“I loved living in Jamaica back in the 90s,” he says. “The musical culture is ingrained there.”

That appreciation for musical culture is one reason Adams looks forward to returning to South Africa. Local audiences are known for their enthusiastic participation, often turning concerts into massive sing-along events.

For fans attending one of his shows for the first time, Adams says the goal is simple.

“That, for a couple of hours, you had a good sing-along and a few laughs,” he says. “It is like being at a giant pub gig.”

That relaxed, communal atmosphere has become a hallmark of his performances. Whether playing a stadium packed with thousands of people or a smaller venue, Adams has always aimed to create a sense of shared celebration between the band and the crowd.

And if Adams has learned anything during a career that has taken him from basement songwriting sessions to global stages, it is that the journey continues.

– Bryan Adams will be performing in Pretoria on April 25 (20:00) and April 26 (19:00) at the Sun Bet Arena, Time Square Casino in Menlyn in Pretoria east.

– Click here to listen to Adams: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1470993357705843

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