Once synonymous with hypersexualised images of young, hot models, over recent years, Pirelli has transformed its infamous calendar into an annual, star-studded fashion event – offering its pages to wildly imaginative worlds helmed by the likes of Paolo Roversi, Tim Walker, Peter Lindbergh, and Annie Liebowitz. 

Now, Pirelli is back, with an all-singing, all-dancing (literally) calendar for 2022. Plundering the music world for some of its most recognisable talents, 2022 sees Bryan Adams step behind the camera, whilst snapping Cher, Grimes, Jennifer Hudson, Normani, Rita Ora, Bohan Phoenix, Iggy Pop, St. Vincent, Kali Uchis, and Saweetie. Titled On the Road, Adams shot his motley crew of musicians between LA and Capri, in southern Italy, “because the life of a musician is made up of roads, travel, waiting in hotels, and hours backstage,” as he says. “On the road is where I have been for the last 45 years.”

As seen in a series of BTS images shot by Alessandro Scotti, this year’s calendar imagines a day in the life of a touring musician, capturing Normani’s pre-show ritual, Cher lingering in a green room, and Iggy Pop festooned in glitter post-show. It’s a celebratory return to form, of sorts, given that last year, in light of the coronavirus, Pirelli decided to halt the production on its 2021 calendar – instead choosing to donate €100,000 euros to the vaccine effort. 

Past calendars have seen Tim Walker transform the figureheads of black excellence into larger-than-life Alice in Wonderland characters, and a series shot by Paolo Roversi, indebted to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Adams’ 2022 calendar will officially launch later in November. Check out the gallery above for a taste of what’s to come.