Bryan Adams Records Acoustic Show at Pompeii

Bryan Adams recently performed at the ancient amphitheater of Pompeii, Italy, as part of his unique Bare Bones acoustic tour, capturing the memorable night for posterity.

Historic Venue and Tour Details

Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Adams brought only his voice, an acoustic guitar, and a piano to create an intimate atmosphere. The Bare Bones tour included special performances in locations such as Rome, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Scotland, and Pompeii itself.

Sound Engineering Approach

Stefan Holtz, the front of house engineer since 2023, mixed the show using a locally rented digital console. Avoiding analog gear and complex processing, he aimed for a clean, simple mix to highlight the natural sound of the performance.

“People want to feel as if Bryan were standing right in front of them without a microphone,” explains Stefan. “The moment they hear an engineer’s hand in it, the magic’s gone. The technology has to disappear.”

Microphone Setup

A Neumann KM 185 microphone was placed on the acoustic guitar, combined with its built-in pickup for a balance of immediacy and natural tone.
The 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.

Author’s summary: Bryan Adams delivered a raw, intimate acoustic set at Pompeii, expertly captured with minimalist sound engineering to preserve the authentic live experience.

Mixonline — 2025-11-05