
I’ve seen a lot of concerts and I’ve never seen someone as happy as Hilary Duff to be onstage. She makes other musicians look like they’re phoning it in and simply going through the motions.

Friday was a good night to be a 90s bitch. The Arkells snuck in a cover of Icona Pop’s I Love It, and their opener Cailin Russo returned to the stage for the anthem featuring Charli XCX. This was definitely a highlight and somehow more exciting than seeing the Arkells perform Robyn’s Dancing On My Own with Tegan and Sara in 2024. But it couldn’t trump the surprise of their throwback to ABBA’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) at Scotiabank Arena in 2022.

Friday night marked my 5th Bryan Adams concert. He selectively invites audience participation for key verses. He gives fans wristbands for lighting effects. And he encourages you to dance to an old school cover of Twist and Shout. Most importantly, he delivers all the hits and throwbacks you’d want while singing about romance and resilience. He’s a pro!