Bryan Adams Records Acoustic Show at Pompeii
Bryan Adams recently performed at the ancient amphitheater in Pompeii, Italy, as part of his Bare Bones acoustic tour. The event, held on November 4, 2025, celebrated simplicity with just his voice, an acoustic guitar, a piano, and a select set of songs.
Bare Bones Tour Highlights
The Bare Bones tour is a series of intimate, carefully curated acoustic shows in unique locations such as Rome, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Scotland, and Pompeii. This approach focuses on stripped-down performances that emphasize raw musicality and connection.
Sound Engineering Approach
Stefan Holtz, the front-of-house engineer since 2023, mixed the Pompeii show on a locally rented digital console. He intentionally avoided analog or complicated processing gear to preserve the purity of the live moment.
“People want to feel as if Bryan were standing right in front of them without a microphone,” Stefan explains. “The moment they hear an engineer’s hand in it, the magic’s gone. The technology has to disappear.”
Microphone Setup
- The acoustic guitar was miked with a Neumann KM 185 combined with its built-in pickup to maintain a natural and immediate sound.
- Bryan’s voice was captured using a custom-modified KMS 104 Plus microphone.
“We tried it, and Bryan, monitors, and FOH all agreed immediately: this is a real step forward,” said Holtz.
The careful attention to simplicity and quality allowed the performance to retain its authentic atmosphere and emotional impact.
Summary: Bryan Adams’ intimate acoustic performance at Pompeii showcased a minimalist setup emphasizing natural sound, with meticulous engineering to preserve the authenticity of the live experience.