From the first song to the last: ADMT's emotional Cologne Show

Taken by Mary Thelen

Some concerts entertain you for a night. Others stay with you long after the final note has faded. ADMT's sold-out show at MTC Cologne on Saturday, June 13th, was one of those rare evenings that felt less like a concert and more like a shared emotional experience. Before the headliner even stepped on stage, Isaac Levi had already set the tone for the night. His performance was filled with sincerity, vulnerability, and an authenticity that immediately resonated with the crowd. From the first song onward, he drew people in and created an atmosphere that felt warm, intimate, and genuine — rather than simply opening the evening, he elevated it.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Isaac for an interview before the show, giving me a chance to get to know the person behind the music. Speaking with him offered a deeper understanding of the passion and honesty that drive his songwriting, and that same authenticity translated seamlessly onto the stage later that evening. What stood out even more was the time he took for fans between sets — every interaction felt personal.

By the time Adam took the stage, the MTC was packed from front to back, every corner of the venue filled with people who had come to celebrate this moment alongside him. The energy in the room was electric, but what followed was far more powerful than excitement alone.

From the very first song, there was an undeniable connection between ADMT and the audience — visible in every smile, every glance, every lyric sung back to him. The crowd wasn't simply listening; they were feeling every word alongside him. Song after song, the room erupted into loud sing-alongs, transforming deeply personal lyrics into collective moments of understanding, comfort, and belonging. What made the evening truly unforgettable wasn't just the music — it was the honesty behind it.

Throughout the show, Adam spoke openly about mental health, personal struggles, and the emotions that inspired many of the songs on his debut album. None of it felt rehearsed or scripted. Every word seemed to come straight from the heart — you could hear it in his voice and see it in the way he addressed the crowd. In a world where vulnerability is often hidden, watching an artist stand in front of a sold-out room and speak so openly about difficult emotions was incredibly powerful.

As he shared his experiences, the entire venue seemed to hang on every word. His stories weren't just heard — they were felt. For many people in the audience, myself included, those moments were just as impactful as the songs themselves. There was something deeply moving about hearing someone put into words the feelings that so many of us struggle to express. Throughout the set, I found myself feeling understood. The emotions behind the songs resonated on a personal level, making the experience feel far more intimate than a typical concert — a reminder of how powerful music can be when it helps people feel seen.

That emotional honesty ran through the entire performance. Every lyric carried weight because you knew it came from a real place. Every story felt genuine. Every interaction with the audience reinforced the sense that Adam wasn't simply performing for his fans — he was sharing a part of himself with them.

This tour carries special significance. Coming less than a month after the release of his debut album, it marks a major milestone in his career — and remarkably, the entire run sold out. Standing on stage in front of a packed MTC for his first sold-out headline show in Cologne, the weight of that achievement was clearly not lost on him.

Several times throughout the evening, Adam appeared visibly overwhelmed by the support surrounding him. There were moments where he paused simply to take in the sight of an entire room singing his songs back to him — at times seemingly fighting back tears, trying to hold together emotions that had been quietly building. Seeing him process that in real time was incredibly moving. Years of hard work, vulnerability, and dedication had brought him to that stage, and you could feel exactly how much it meant to him.

The emotions weren't confined to the stage either. Looking around the venue, it wasn't uncommon to see tears in the crowd. Fans held onto every lyric, every note, every moment. Some songs were met with deafening sing-alongs; others transformed the room into near silence as people absorbed what was behind the words. It was one of those rare concerts where everyone seemed completely present, fully invested in what was unfolding around them.

One of the most memorable moments of the night came as a surprise, when Isaac Levi joined Adam on stage for a cover of "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls. What could have simply been a fun collaboration quickly became one of the emotional highlights of the entire evening. Their voices blended beautifully, the chemistry between them undeniable. As the crowd sang along, the performance created a sense of intimacy and nostalgia that perfectly captured the spirit of the night — a reminder of how music can bring people together in ways that words alone often cannot.

What made the evening even more special was what happened after the final song. Despite the emotional intensity of the performance and everything he had poured into the show, Adam stayed to spend time with fans — taking photos, signing items, sharing conversations with the people who had come to support him. It never felt like an obligation. It felt genuine. Just as Isaac Levi had done earlier in the evening, Adam showed how much he values the community that has formed around his music. In the end, the defining word for this night is connection.

Connection between artist and audience. Connection between strangers singing the same lyrics. Connection through shared experiences, emotions, and stories. From Isaac Levi's heartfelt opening set to ADMT's deeply moving headline performance, every moment of the evening was built on authenticity and vulnerability.

Adam's stop in Cologne wasn't simply a sold-out concert celebrating a new album. It was a night of gratitude, honesty, tears, smiles, loud sing-alongs, and memories that will last. Most importantly, it was a reminder of what happens when music becomes more than entertainment — it becomes something people truly feel.

For a few hours inside the MTC, that feeling belonged to everyone in the room.

ADMT's Instagram profile picture

About the artist

Adam Taylor, known under the stage name ADMT, is an emerging singer-songwriter from the North of England. His music has built a reputation for raw, honest songs drawn from real life. Born in Doncaster, he first entered music as a teenage drummer and even toured the United States with a local band. When the group stopped performing, he returned home and took a job in a bottling factory. A friend later encouraged him to try singing.

Reluctant at first, ADMT eventually agreed and performed his first show at a Sofar Sounds house gig in Camden. While more acoustic gigs followed, his mental health declined and he found himself struggling deeply back in his childhood bedroom. A turning point came when songwriter friend Mikey Gormley urged him to write about how he felt. Together they wrote “Prison,” a song about feeling trapped in your own mind. The process proved therapeutic and helped him discover purpose in songwriting, alongside beginning NHS therapy.

As his confidence grew, ADMT began busking across Yorkshire, eventually earning enough to leave the factory. His breakthrough came when an acoustic cover of 50 Cent’s “Best Friend” went viral and was shared by the rapper himself. Since then, ADMT has released a string of heartfelt songs and built a loyal fanbase, using his music to remind listeners they’re not alone.’