What to expect at Bryan Adams' Roll with the Punches Tour: Setlist, start time and more

For the first two songs, Bryan Adams is not even on the main stage. He starts at the back of the arena with an acoustic guitar, turns a hit like “Can’t Stop This Thing We Started” into something more intimate than expected, then moves to the main stage as the full band kicks in.

The "Roll with the Punches" Tour's U.S. leg launched July 24 in St. Louis and has already rolled through Wichita, Thackerville, Austin and Houston. Here is what the first concerts have revealed about the setlist, stage time, openers, production and the rest of Bryan Adams' 2026 tour.

Ultimate guide to Bryan Adams' "Roll with the Punches" Tour

The tour supports Adams' 2025 album Roll with the Punches, his 16th studio record and his first full album of new material released through his independent label, Bad Records. The new album does not dominate the concert, though. The current setlist mixes a handful of recently released songs with classic material spanning four-plus decades.

The U.S. leg began July 24 at Enterprise Center in St. Louis and runs through August 16 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo on every date. A Canadian full-band leg follows from August 24 through September 15 with Lights as the support act.

What have the first "Roll with the Punches" shows revealed?

Adams has begun each of the first five reported U.S. shows on a B-stage at the back of the arena with acoustic versions of "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" and "Straight From the Heart." He then moves to the main stage for a full-band stretch that opens with "Kick Ass," "Run to You," "Somebody" and the title track.

"Reckless" has been the most heavily represented album, with five songs appearing at every reported show: "Run to You," "Somebody," "It's Only Love," "Heaven" and "Summer of '69." "Cuts Like a Knife" has also received significant attention through "Straight From the Heart," "Take Me Back," "This Time" and the title track.

Recurring production touches include the original "This Time" music video playing on the screens, a "Blue Suede Shoes" interpolation during "You Belong to Me" and an acoustic closing performance of "All for Love" at most dates. A few songs and the total runtime have shifted from city to city, but the core set has stayed locked in.

Upcoming Bryan Adams "Roll with the Punches" Tour dates

The U.S. leg is underway until August 16, followed by Canadian dates through September 15.

Bryan Adams will also perform two "Bare Bones" acoustic concerts at Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on September 2 and September 3, which will differ from the full "Roll with the Punches" arena production.

Who is opening for Bryan Adams on the "Roll with the Punches" Tour?

The opening acts differ between the U.S. and Canadian legs, and the U.S. opening act has already been delivering substantial special-guest sets rather than brief warm-up performances.

U.S. dates: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are performing on every remaining U.S. date through August 16. Fan-reported setlists from St. Louis, Wichita, Thackerville, Austin and Houston show a remarkably consistent hour-long performance.

“Shadows of the Night” has opened each reported show, followed by “All Fired Up” and “Invincible.” The recurring set has also included “Promises in the Dark,” “Come On People,” “We Belong,” “Dirty Little Secrets,” “Hell Is for Children,” “Love Is a Battlefield” and “Heartbreaker.” Some nights have added a “Ring of Fire” tag to “Heartbreaker,” while St. Louis also included “Ties That Bind.”

“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” did not appear at any of those five reported dates, so fans should not assume it will be part of the show.

This is closer to a double bill of arena-rock hits than a typical headliner-and-opener setup. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo have been starting at or near the listed 7:30 p.m. event time, so being in your seat by then matters.

Canadian dates: Lights

Lights joins Adams on the Canadian full-band dates from August 24 through September 15. She is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose music blends synth-pop, alternative pop and electronic production.

What time does Bryan Adams go on stage?

Most U.S. dates list a 7:30 p.m. event start, with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo performing first. Bryan Adams began around 9:00 p.m. in Wichita and Houston.

For standard U.S. dates, 9:00 p.m. is a reasonable estimate rather than a guaranteed start time. Arriving before the listed event time remains the safest approach, especially for fans who want to see Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.

How long is a Bryan Adams concert?

The first five reported U.S. setlists have ranged from 24 to 26 songs. Wichita and Austin reached 26, Houston had 25 and the shorter Thackerville show contained 24.

Wichita gives us a clear example of the timing so far. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo began around the listed 7:30 p.m. start, and Adams played from approximately 9:00 to 10:55 p.m. That made his set just under two hours and the full concert roughly three hours and 25 minutes, including the opening performance and changeover.

Fans should plan on spending about three hours and 15 minutes to three hours and 30 minutes inside once the music begins. The exact runtime can shift depending on the opener, changeover and whether Adams plays the longer or shorter version of his set.

Bryan Adams "Roll with the Punches" Tour setlist

The first five U.S. dates in St. Louis, Wichita, Thackerville, Austin and Houston have followed nearly the same structure. The opening 21 songs remained especially consistent, while the final stretch and total song count shifted slightly from night to night.

The representative setlist below combines the songs and running order reported across those shows.

The St. Louis show featured “Make Up Your Mind” in the new-music slot, while Wichita, Thackerville, Austin and Houston used “51st State.” Austin and Wichita reached 26 songs, Houston had 25 and Thackerville ended after 24 songs without “The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You” or “All for Love.”

Fans should treat this as a guide to the recurring structure and most likely songs, not a guaranteed song-for-song setlist for every future date.

What songs from "Roll with the Punches" does Bryan Adams perform?

The title track has been the only song from Roll with the Punches to appear at all five reported U.S. concerts.

“Make Up Your Mind” appeared at the St. Louis opener, but the next four reported dates replaced it with the newer single “51st State.”

Does Bryan Adams play his older hits?

Yes, and the older songs have made up most of every reported show.

The set has leaned especially hard on Reckless and Cuts Like a Knife. “Run to You,” “Somebody,” “It’s Only Love,” “Heaven” and “Summer of ’69” have represented Reckless at all five reported dates. “Straight From the Heart,” “Take Me Back,” “This Time” and “Cuts Like a Knife” have given Cuts Like a Knife nearly as much attention.

The recurring set has also included major ’90s songs such as “Please Forgive Me,” “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You.” Deeper selections like “Take Me Back” and “Here I Am” give longtime fans something beyond the most obvious singles.

Most of the variation has occurred late in the concert, but “Summer of ’69” has remained part of every reported closing stretch.

Is there an encore at Bryan Adams' "Roll with the Punches" concert?

Usually, but not always in the traditional walk-off-and-return sense.

“All for Love” has closed most of the first five U.S. shows in a stripped-down acoustic format. Some fan-reported setlists call it an encore, while others simply list it as the final song of the night. The shorter Thackerville show skipped it entirely and ended with “Summer of ’69.”

The best advice is simple: do not head for the exits after “Summer of ’69.” “All for Love” may still be coming, even if there is not a long encore break first.

What is the "Roll with the Punches" Tour production like?

The biggest surprise comes right away. Adams opens from a small stage at the back of the arena, playing “Can’t Stop This Thing We Started” and “Straight From the Heart” acoustically before joining the band on the main stage.

After that, the show keeps things fairly simple. There are no elaborate costume changes or constant scene shifts. The focus stays on Adams, his band and the songs, with large screens showing close-ups and archival footage. The original “This Time” music video has also played during the song at several shows.

There are a few smaller moments that break up the full-band rock set. “You Belong to Me” has included a quick “Blue Suede Shoes” interpolation, guitarist Keith Scott gets a Spanish-guitar spotlight during “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” and “Here I Am” has occasionally been stripped back, including a quieter piano-led version in Thackerville.

The entrance has stayed the same, but there is still enough movement elsewhere in the set to keep each night from feeling completely mapped out.

When should you arrive for Bryan Adams' concert?

Arrive 60 to 90 minutes before the listed start if you want time for merchandise, food and an easy trip through security. Even if you plan to head straight to your seat, getting inside 30 to 45 minutes early is safer than cutting it close.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo have been starting at or near the posted 7:30 p.m. time on U.S. dates, so do not mistake that for doors. Waiting until Bryan Adams’ estimated 9:00 p.m. stage time leaves little room for traffic, parking delays or ticket issues and means missing the opening set.

Try to be in your seat before Adams begins, too. His first two songs take place on the B-stage at the back of the arena, and you do not want to hear that opening from the concession line.

What should you bring to a Bryan Adams concert?

Your phone is doing most of the heavy lifting here, so charge it before you leave, save your ticket to your mobile wallet and bring a portable charger if your battery has a habit of giving up before the encore.

Beyond that, keep it simple: a valid ID, comfortable shoes, earplugs and a light layer for the arena. You may spend more than three hours inside, which is plenty of time for a chilly concourse and a regrettable footwear decision to catch up with you.

Check your venue’s bag and payment rules before heading out. A small bag will usually make entry easier, but clear-bag policies are not universal. Leave the professional camera, oversized tote and outside food at home unless your arena specifically says otherwise.

What should fans wear to the "Roll with the Punches" Tour?

There is plenty of room for denim, leather jackets, vintage tour shirts and a little Reckless-era nostalgia. Bryan Adams or Pat Benatar merch fits right in, but nobody needs to build an elaborate 1980s costume for the night.

Comfort should win. The concert can stretch beyond three hours once the opening set and changeover are included, so wear shoes you will not regret by the time “Summer of ’69” starts.

A light jacket or extra layer is also a good idea for arena air conditioning and the trip home. That becomes even more useful for the September dates in western Canada, where the temperature outside may drop considerably by the end of the show.

How to get Bryan Adams tour tickets on SeatGeek

Bryan Adams has spent decades making songs that sound bigger when a crowd gets hold of them. The "Roll with the Punches" Tour gives fans another chance to hear that catalog the way it was built to be heard.

Here's how to find the best Bryan Adams tickets on SeatGeek:

1. Go to SeatGeek or open the SeatGeek app and search for "Bryan Adams."

2. Select the "Roll with the Punches" Tour city and date you want to attend.

3. Confirm whether the listing is a full "Roll with the Punches" concert or one of the separate Thunder Bay "Bare Bones" shows.

4. Open the interactive seat map to compare sections, rows and prices for your Bryan Adams show. Look at both the main stage and the opposite end of the arena, keeping the B-stage opening in mind.

5. Use Deal Score and filters to find Bryan Adams listings that offer strong value for the seat location.

6. Review the ticket quantity, section, row, delivery method and full price.

7. Complete checkout and follow the delivery instructions in your SeatGeek account. Before the concert, pull up your mobile tickets and review the venue's entry rules.

Then get there before the lights go down. The night may begin with one guitar at the back of the arena, but it does not stay quiet for long. By the time “Summer of ’69” rolls around, your section, the floor and just about everyone else in the building will be singing the same chorus.