7.17.12 Adam News and Info
Jul 17, 2012 11:19:14 GMT -5
Post by NoAngel on Jul 17, 2012 11:19:14 GMT -5
Well, I'm finally back home after the adventure of a lifetime. It will take me a long time to process everything... right now I feel like I'm still walking around in a daze that's only partly attributable to jet lag 
I want to thank all the wonderful, beautiful people from Atop who are part of the fabulous memories from London. So many lovely people, and as always, there is never enough time as you'd like just to hang out and chat.
I tried to put my thoughts into words during my 10+ hour flight yesterday and I did no justice to the feelings I have about these concerts. But I'm just going to post anyway (and sorry in advance for being so long-winded)
I have no idea how successfully I can recap these concerts without resorting to keysmashing, but I'll give it a try. What I have is mostly a swirl of images and emotions. A jaw-dropping light show, not to mention fireworks, fog, and actual flames that were anything BUT subtle flickers. The joyful light in Adam's eyes as he watched the crowds transition from curious anticipation to engagement to flailing elation. Watching the solemn-faced Queen fan next to me on Night 2 go from quiet watchfulness to surprised pleasure. I'll never forget his awestruck "wow" at a glory note in Who Wants To Live Forever and how he leapt to his feet for a standing ovation even before I did. The palpable love between Adam and Roger and Brian, and how much respect they showed each other and how much fun they had together. The tears in Roger's eyes when he looked over his shoulder at Freddie's image. The hush in the crowd at the end of Who Wants To Live Forever as Adam walks slowly away and Brian's last note fades. Adam twirling like a top, and showing us the rip in his pants, and telling us to "sing this shit" and "shake our asses" and smiling smiling smiling his happines. So many beautiful moments!
For the first show I was in GA, about 5-6 rows back on the left/center—an excellent spot. I remember feeling both wildly excited and also terribly nervous. The latter because I'd been reading tweets about the press that would be there, and also, having stood in line for hours and in the pit for a while longer, I had realized that I wasn't in Kansas anymore and many of those around me were not glamberts but rather long-time Queen fans. I was nervous for how they'd receive Adam and nervous on his behalf and just generally freaking out. Turns out I needn't have worried. Adam managed to do the impossible—he pleased just about everyone who was there by singing the hell out of Queen's amazing songs and just being his own fabulous self. He was the dragon, attacking and breathing life and fire into lyrics that are at their best when heard live, surrounded by people singing along.
I was surprised at how much I loved the non-Adam parts as well. I cried like a damn fool during Days Of Our Lives. I cried at Love Of My Life. Hell, I even cried watching Roger and Rufus beat out their drum duet/duel. The media critics can fuck off when they diss Roger and Brian. These guys are amazing musicians and maybe their voices aren't what they were decades ago but they sang their hearts out and it was obvious how much they loved sharing their music again.
The 2nd night I was in the balcony, front row a bit off-center. What I lost in immediacy and intensity I gained in big-picture perspective. I saw the light show in all its over-the-top glory, and watched the GA crowd clap and fist-pump in joyful unison, and the seated passive balcony audience ultimately come to their feet and sing and flail in true glambert style.
It was immediately obvious that the energy was on a totally different level on Thursday. Adam was looser, lighter, wilder. Who knows—maybe he'd been a bit nervous the first night as well, and then he'd seen the crowd's acceptance and the press's praise and a weight came off. The pants almost came off as well, but hey, what's a little wardrobe malfunction when you're having fun? And that for me was the essence of Thursday—fun!!!
Saturday I was back in GA, in an excellent spot Gelly had discovered—about 1/3 of the way back at a rail. Great views due to the floor being more sloped and close enough to see all the details while still getting a sense of the whole stage. Thanks, Gelly!
It was hard not to feel just a tiny bit of anticipatory sadness, knowing this was the last show. I wanted to remember every moment and every detail. And it all seemed to come together that night. Adam, Brian, and Roger were in sync and as comfortable together as though they'd been a group for years. Adam seemed to know that he was going to win over the audience just as he had the first two nights, and Roger and Brian knew that their fans in the crowd would love what they had to offer. There was a relaxed feeling from all of them, kind of a sense of accomplishment, and even before Adam said "for now" I knew, watching them, that they were not going to let it end after this performance. Of course, Adam had to set himself a new challenge, so he sent his voice out to orbit around notes in his distant home galaxy. It took a while for people to start moving after it was over, as if reluctant to leave the scene of such magic.
Before the Queen concerts, Adam talked about the balance he'd have to find in doing this-- not doing an imitation of Freddie but making the songs his own while still honoring and keeping them true. It speaks to the brilliance of the songs that they sound so relevant today, and I think B&R and Adam did a fantastic job choosing a setlist that was well-paced and that included so many songs that seemed to suit Adam perfectly in terms of style, vocals, and attitude. Adam accomplished that balance and then some, to a degree I think no one expected. His interpretations were so authentic to himself, while at the same time honoring the integrity of the original. Absolutely amazing...
Anyway, I'm so happy that Roger and Brian decided to try this little "experiment" that allowed so many of us to have some of the best concert experiences ever. They took a big chance in putting these shows together, knowing that many would criticize their choice in frontman. Knowing a bit of their history, seems to me that Brian and Roger have been making up their own rules for quite some time. With Adam, I think they found a perfect companion for some new adventures in trespassing
I want to thank all the wonderful, beautiful people from Atop who are part of the fabulous memories from London. So many lovely people, and as always, there is never enough time as you'd like just to hang out and chat.
I tried to put my thoughts into words during my 10+ hour flight yesterday and I did no justice to the feelings I have about these concerts. But I'm just going to post anyway (and sorry in advance for being so long-winded)
I have no idea how successfully I can recap these concerts without resorting to keysmashing, but I'll give it a try. What I have is mostly a swirl of images and emotions. A jaw-dropping light show, not to mention fireworks, fog, and actual flames that were anything BUT subtle flickers. The joyful light in Adam's eyes as he watched the crowds transition from curious anticipation to engagement to flailing elation. Watching the solemn-faced Queen fan next to me on Night 2 go from quiet watchfulness to surprised pleasure. I'll never forget his awestruck "wow" at a glory note in Who Wants To Live Forever and how he leapt to his feet for a standing ovation even before I did. The palpable love between Adam and Roger and Brian, and how much respect they showed each other and how much fun they had together. The tears in Roger's eyes when he looked over his shoulder at Freddie's image. The hush in the crowd at the end of Who Wants To Live Forever as Adam walks slowly away and Brian's last note fades. Adam twirling like a top, and showing us the rip in his pants, and telling us to "sing this shit" and "shake our asses" and smiling smiling smiling his happines. So many beautiful moments!
For the first show I was in GA, about 5-6 rows back on the left/center—an excellent spot. I remember feeling both wildly excited and also terribly nervous. The latter because I'd been reading tweets about the press that would be there, and also, having stood in line for hours and in the pit for a while longer, I had realized that I wasn't in Kansas anymore and many of those around me were not glamberts but rather long-time Queen fans. I was nervous for how they'd receive Adam and nervous on his behalf and just generally freaking out. Turns out I needn't have worried. Adam managed to do the impossible—he pleased just about everyone who was there by singing the hell out of Queen's amazing songs and just being his own fabulous self. He was the dragon, attacking and breathing life and fire into lyrics that are at their best when heard live, surrounded by people singing along.
I was surprised at how much I loved the non-Adam parts as well. I cried like a damn fool during Days Of Our Lives. I cried at Love Of My Life. Hell, I even cried watching Roger and Rufus beat out their drum duet/duel. The media critics can fuck off when they diss Roger and Brian. These guys are amazing musicians and maybe their voices aren't what they were decades ago but they sang their hearts out and it was obvious how much they loved sharing their music again.
The 2nd night I was in the balcony, front row a bit off-center. What I lost in immediacy and intensity I gained in big-picture perspective. I saw the light show in all its over-the-top glory, and watched the GA crowd clap and fist-pump in joyful unison, and the seated passive balcony audience ultimately come to their feet and sing and flail in true glambert style.
It was immediately obvious that the energy was on a totally different level on Thursday. Adam was looser, lighter, wilder. Who knows—maybe he'd been a bit nervous the first night as well, and then he'd seen the crowd's acceptance and the press's praise and a weight came off. The pants almost came off as well, but hey, what's a little wardrobe malfunction when you're having fun? And that for me was the essence of Thursday—fun!!!
Saturday I was back in GA, in an excellent spot Gelly had discovered—about 1/3 of the way back at a rail. Great views due to the floor being more sloped and close enough to see all the details while still getting a sense of the whole stage. Thanks, Gelly!
It was hard not to feel just a tiny bit of anticipatory sadness, knowing this was the last show. I wanted to remember every moment and every detail. And it all seemed to come together that night. Adam, Brian, and Roger were in sync and as comfortable together as though they'd been a group for years. Adam seemed to know that he was going to win over the audience just as he had the first two nights, and Roger and Brian knew that their fans in the crowd would love what they had to offer. There was a relaxed feeling from all of them, kind of a sense of accomplishment, and even before Adam said "for now" I knew, watching them, that they were not going to let it end after this performance. Of course, Adam had to set himself a new challenge, so he sent his voice out to orbit around notes in his distant home galaxy. It took a while for people to start moving after it was over, as if reluctant to leave the scene of such magic.Before the Queen concerts, Adam talked about the balance he'd have to find in doing this-- not doing an imitation of Freddie but making the songs his own while still honoring and keeping them true. It speaks to the brilliance of the songs that they sound so relevant today, and I think B&R and Adam did a fantastic job choosing a setlist that was well-paced and that included so many songs that seemed to suit Adam perfectly in terms of style, vocals, and attitude. Adam accomplished that balance and then some, to a degree I think no one expected. His interpretations were so authentic to himself, while at the same time honoring the integrity of the original. Absolutely amazing...
Anyway, I'm so happy that Roger and Brian decided to try this little "experiment" that allowed so many of us to have some of the best concert experiences ever. They took a big chance in putting these shows together, knowing that many would criticize their choice in frontman. Knowing a bit of their history, seems to me that Brian and Roger have been making up their own rules for quite some time. With Adam, I think they found a perfect companion for some new adventures in trespassing
