11.5.17 A day off....
Nov 5, 2017 16:19:56 GMT -5
Post by nightowl on Nov 5, 2017 16:19:56 GMT -5
Has some suggested, here is my recap from Prague again.
Queen + Adam Lambert in Prague 1.11.2017 (seen from stage)
After two days of sightseeing in the beautiful city of Prague, I drove to the O2-Arena by the tram, that started in front of my hotel and took me in just 15 minutes to the venue. The night before I had already looked for my entrance, so I could easily stroll there. I had to be at the entrance N°31 at 6.30pm, because I had the “VIP-Ultimate Onstage Package”.
When they let us in, we were 8 fans, ready to rock and very nervous and exited for the experience (2 people didn’t show up). We picked up our wristbands and tour-programs (We didn’t get any other VIP-goodies , not even a lanyard.) and went through the security check. Then we waited for the Backstage-Tour. A woman took us down to the basement. There we met Andy from the crew. He showed us many, many, many…..boxes in all sizes for all the equipment of the stage and everything they take with them. They all fit into the 21 trucks, that they use for that tour. It was really a sight to see all these trucks side by side in front of the venue. And there were “only” 20, because one was already in Munich to explore the arena and to organise everything for the Load-In in Munich.
We went through a long corridor, without seeing anything but doors. One was Brian’s, one Roger’s and one Adam’s room. There was security outside in the corridor and none of the band showed up (as I expected). It was all rather quiet, the band got ready for the concert and the crew had dinner-time. You could smell their food. Andy answered all of our questions, before he left us with “our” security man at our seats directly behind Spike at the stage. My group didn’t ask that many questions. I think the language barrier was a real problem for most. We came from different countries: 3 from Austria, 2 from Czech Republic, 2 from Britain and I’m from Germany. One guy from Austria has seen more than 100 Queen-concerts live!!! I was the only Adam-Fan (I also like Queen very much, since that’s how I found out about Adam at first, but was never a “real” fan before). All but one did like Adam. One guy from Czech Republic would have been happier without him, because he doesn't like Adam's voice and attitude. But he stated that it’s the only way to see his heroes.So he endures... (poor guy).
So , on our little stage we were told that we can move around and sit or stand wherever we want (not ON the chairs). We were allowed to take photos, but no videos. Before the concert we looked at the stage behind the round screen of LEDs and were given plectrums that Brian uses for his acoustic guitar. The look around in the arena was great and really special. It was interesting, that Adam’s “little helper’s” (aka autocue) are placed strategically around the stage. (From the audience I always thoughtthey were speakers,so that the band can hear themselves. I didn’t see Adam taking use of them in Prague.)
I was very excited and then the lights went out.
I saw Spike, Neill and Tyler entering the stage. What I couldn’t see was the opening on the LED-screen. But I could clearly see the reactions of the audience. Then the screen went up and the concert started. The band was there, right in front of me. From there on the whole concert was just an amazing experience. It was completely different from the view in the audience. In the beginning and especially in the beginning of killer queen, while singing and sitting on Frank’s head, Adam was fumbling in his back pocket with his monitor.
The band seemed to be in a really good mood, happy to start the tour. They were smiling a lot! Since I saw the stage rather from the back and from the side, I had quite some time, Adam’s ass directly in front of me. (His face would have been better, but you can’t have everything.)
Neill was really sweet. He often came to us. Once during one of the first songs he played directly in front of us, grinning, but then had to RUN to his microphone, because he had almost forgotten to sing one of his high notes solo. Afterwards he grinned mischievously in our direction. Ups!
Brian also came over with his Red Special, posing while playing. I just took it all in, but it was a great opportunity for a picture. He was almost too close! Adam didn’t give us any attention. He was completely concentrated on his craft. (Which is ok, a high five while leaving the stage directly beside me at the stairs would have been nice though.)
The biggest difference from watching the show from the stage was Brian’s solo. That’s because the round screen is down. So, I couldn’t see the images on that screen, (I could only touch it and had to step back, so that it doesn’t land on my head or fingers – our security man was looking for that). BUT I saw the stage and what happened there. I saw Brian up in the air on his lift, how the crew was securing him and that Spike and Tyler where also playing from some point in the solo.
One little thing that did bother me during the show was that a couple of our group secured the two best spots on our stage and never let go of them. From these seats you had the best view of the stage, if you wanted to see Adam or Brian. I mean, we didn’t use the chairs and moved them back, so we could stand closer. But Andy told us in the beginning to change places, so that everybody gets the experience in that place. But they didn’t do it. I had the feeling, that he thought, he deserved that spot after attending more than 100 shows… But for the rest of us, it was a little bummer. Nevertheless, we were only 8 people and had more than enough room to move around. The second row isn’t too bad either.
One thing that was also very different for me where the strobos lights during “Stone cold crazy”. On stage I was in the middle of these lights and they were so extensive, that I didn’t know, how the band could work in that lightning!?
So, in the end, the show was over too fast. It really is a great and very interesting experience to see the show from that point. I was happy, as was the band. They did really enjoy the reception from the audience!! Tyler came over and high fived us, and then “Good save the Queen” came on and they left the stage.
After the show we all were given a setlist. While I put on my jacket, I put my program and setlist on stage, to close my zipper. Just in time, our security man pulled me back, because the screen came back down! A stage is really a dangerous place…
I said goodbye to my companions in that evening and went to the merchandise. There I found out, that the Adam Lambert-T-Shirts were sold out (only size left was XXL). So I hoped for a new chance to buy it in Munich, where I got lucky.
My conclusion:
What could be better: the setlist (although I expected it after almost no rehearsals). I looked it up: I saw them in 2015 (Berlin), 2016 (Cologne) and now 2017 (Prague/Munich)– and I’ve seen them play 18 songs from the “new” setlist at all three concerts. There were only 4 new songs from last year (Bicycle R. I’m in love with my car, Get down make love and Whataya want from me). Their hits are great songs, don’t get me wrong. I had a great time, but a little more variation would be great. It’s really getting boring.
What was great: the band and their joy to play and sing. The audience. The experience on stage. The nice crew!
All in all it was a wonderful experience, which was completed the next day in Munich, when I saw that great show from the front. And I have to say: IF someone only has the chance to see that show once, I wouldn’t recommend a stage seat. Without seeing the screens, the show is completely different.
P.S.: Between: I think that “Whataya want from me” works really well. The Queenies didn’t know the words, but were bopping along. Some were even singing the chorus. I ‘m not sure “Two fux” would work in Europe. That’s simply, because the song lives a lot from its message and clever lyrics. But in Europe the majority of the people in the audiences would only understand “Two fucks” and not the message. Even if they would see the lyrics, they wouldn’t understand it, simply because we are usually not fluent in English. “Whataya want from me” on the other hand is a song, most people in Germany know from the radio (usually they don’t know the singer though) and can somehow sing along.
Queen + Adam Lambert in Prague 1.11.2017 (seen from stage)
After two days of sightseeing in the beautiful city of Prague, I drove to the O2-Arena by the tram, that started in front of my hotel and took me in just 15 minutes to the venue. The night before I had already looked for my entrance, so I could easily stroll there. I had to be at the entrance N°31 at 6.30pm, because I had the “VIP-Ultimate Onstage Package”.
When they let us in, we were 8 fans, ready to rock and very nervous and exited for the experience (2 people didn’t show up). We picked up our wristbands and tour-programs (We didn’t get any other VIP-goodies , not even a lanyard.) and went through the security check. Then we waited for the Backstage-Tour. A woman took us down to the basement. There we met Andy from the crew. He showed us many, many, many…..boxes in all sizes for all the equipment of the stage and everything they take with them. They all fit into the 21 trucks, that they use for that tour. It was really a sight to see all these trucks side by side in front of the venue. And there were “only” 20, because one was already in Munich to explore the arena and to organise everything for the Load-In in Munich.
We went through a long corridor, without seeing anything but doors. One was Brian’s, one Roger’s and one Adam’s room. There was security outside in the corridor and none of the band showed up (as I expected). It was all rather quiet, the band got ready for the concert and the crew had dinner-time. You could smell their food. Andy answered all of our questions, before he left us with “our” security man at our seats directly behind Spike at the stage. My group didn’t ask that many questions. I think the language barrier was a real problem for most. We came from different countries: 3 from Austria, 2 from Czech Republic, 2 from Britain and I’m from Germany. One guy from Austria has seen more than 100 Queen-concerts live!!! I was the only Adam-Fan (I also like Queen very much, since that’s how I found out about Adam at first, but was never a “real” fan before). All but one did like Adam. One guy from Czech Republic would have been happier without him, because he doesn't like Adam's voice and attitude. But he stated that it’s the only way to see his heroes.So he endures... (poor guy).
So , on our little stage we were told that we can move around and sit or stand wherever we want (not ON the chairs). We were allowed to take photos, but no videos. Before the concert we looked at the stage behind the round screen of LEDs and were given plectrums that Brian uses for his acoustic guitar. The look around in the arena was great and really special. It was interesting, that Adam’s “little helper’s” (aka autocue) are placed strategically around the stage. (From the audience I always thoughtthey were speakers,so that the band can hear themselves. I didn’t see Adam taking use of them in Prague.)
I was very excited and then the lights went out.
I saw Spike, Neill and Tyler entering the stage. What I couldn’t see was the opening on the LED-screen. But I could clearly see the reactions of the audience. Then the screen went up and the concert started. The band was there, right in front of me. From there on the whole concert was just an amazing experience. It was completely different from the view in the audience. In the beginning and especially in the beginning of killer queen, while singing and sitting on Frank’s head, Adam was fumbling in his back pocket with his monitor.
The band seemed to be in a really good mood, happy to start the tour. They were smiling a lot! Since I saw the stage rather from the back and from the side, I had quite some time, Adam’s ass directly in front of me. (His face would have been better, but you can’t have everything.)
Neill was really sweet. He often came to us. Once during one of the first songs he played directly in front of us, grinning, but then had to RUN to his microphone, because he had almost forgotten to sing one of his high notes solo. Afterwards he grinned mischievously in our direction. Ups!
Brian also came over with his Red Special, posing while playing. I just took it all in, but it was a great opportunity for a picture. He was almost too close! Adam didn’t give us any attention. He was completely concentrated on his craft. (Which is ok, a high five while leaving the stage directly beside me at the stairs would have been nice though.)
The biggest difference from watching the show from the stage was Brian’s solo. That’s because the round screen is down. So, I couldn’t see the images on that screen, (I could only touch it and had to step back, so that it doesn’t land on my head or fingers – our security man was looking for that). BUT I saw the stage and what happened there. I saw Brian up in the air on his lift, how the crew was securing him and that Spike and Tyler where also playing from some point in the solo.
One little thing that did bother me during the show was that a couple of our group secured the two best spots on our stage and never let go of them. From these seats you had the best view of the stage, if you wanted to see Adam or Brian. I mean, we didn’t use the chairs and moved them back, so we could stand closer. But Andy told us in the beginning to change places, so that everybody gets the experience in that place. But they didn’t do it. I had the feeling, that he thought, he deserved that spot after attending more than 100 shows… But for the rest of us, it was a little bummer. Nevertheless, we were only 8 people and had more than enough room to move around. The second row isn’t too bad either.
One thing that was also very different for me where the strobos lights during “Stone cold crazy”. On stage I was in the middle of these lights and they were so extensive, that I didn’t know, how the band could work in that lightning!?
So, in the end, the show was over too fast. It really is a great and very interesting experience to see the show from that point. I was happy, as was the band. They did really enjoy the reception from the audience!! Tyler came over and high fived us, and then “Good save the Queen” came on and they left the stage.
After the show we all were given a setlist. While I put on my jacket, I put my program and setlist on stage, to close my zipper. Just in time, our security man pulled me back, because the screen came back down! A stage is really a dangerous place…
I said goodbye to my companions in that evening and went to the merchandise. There I found out, that the Adam Lambert-T-Shirts were sold out (only size left was XXL). So I hoped for a new chance to buy it in Munich, where I got lucky.
My conclusion:
What could be better: the setlist (although I expected it after almost no rehearsals). I looked it up: I saw them in 2015 (Berlin), 2016 (Cologne) and now 2017 (Prague/Munich)– and I’ve seen them play 18 songs from the “new” setlist at all three concerts. There were only 4 new songs from last year (Bicycle R. I’m in love with my car, Get down make love and Whataya want from me). Their hits are great songs, don’t get me wrong. I had a great time, but a little more variation would be great. It’s really getting boring.
What was great: the band and their joy to play and sing. The audience. The experience on stage. The nice crew!
All in all it was a wonderful experience, which was completed the next day in Munich, when I saw that great show from the front. And I have to say: IF someone only has the chance to see that show once, I wouldn’t recommend a stage seat. Without seeing the screens, the show is completely different.
P.S.: Between: I think that “Whataya want from me” works really well. The Queenies didn’t know the words, but were bopping along. Some were even singing the chorus. I ‘m not sure “Two fux” would work in Europe. That’s simply, because the song lives a lot from its message and clever lyrics. But in Europe the majority of the people in the audiences would only understand “Two fucks” and not the message. Even if they would see the lyrics, they wouldn’t understand it, simply because we are usually not fluent in English. “Whataya want from me” on the other hand is a song, most people in Germany know from the radio (usually they don’t know the singer though) and can somehow sing along.