Bryan Adams Records Acoustic Show at Pompeii

Bryan Adams recently performed at the ancient amphitheater of Pompeii, Italy, as part of his Bare Bones acoustic tour and recorded the concert for posterity. The Canadian musician took the stage with only his voice, an acoustic guitar, a piano, and his enduring songs.

The Bare Bones Tour

This special tour featured carefully chosen one-off shows in locations such as Rome, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Scotland, and Pompeii. Each performance embraced simplicity and intimate sound, focusing on pure musical connection.

Sound Engineering at Pompeii

Front-of-house engineer Stefan Holtz mixed the final Pompeii show using a locally rented digital console. He avoided complex processing and analog gear to preserve the natural feel of the performance.

“People want to feel as if Bryan were standing right in front of them without a microphone,” explained Holtz, who has worked with Adams since 2023. “The moment they hear an engineer’s hand in it, the magic’s gone. The technology has to disappear.”

Recording Setup

Holtz used a Neumann KM 185 microphone on the acoustic guitar, blending it with the instrument’s built-in pickup for a balanced tone. Adams’ vocals were captured with 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.

Author’s Summary

Bryan Adams’ acoustic performance at Pompeii embodied raw artistry, with minimalist sound engineering highlighting his timeless voice and connection to the audience.

Mixonline — 2025-11-05