7.13.14 Q+AL CONCERT THREAD -- Toronto, ON Canada

Well, I wasn't talking about his previous auditions. We don't really know how those auditions went for Adam. Sometimes even the best have horrible auditions. Plus, when you audition for roles, in TV especially, you are judged more on your look than talent - you need to "look the part" (unless they're actually creating a role for you, like they did for Chris Colfer on Glee) - in other words, there's already a character and you need to fit into what the casting directors have envisioned. So, when Adam auditioned for those various things, I'm sure they saw he was a good singer (unless they were deaf), but they didn't want him for other reasons (too old, too young, too this, too that, do I have to spell out g-a-y?, etc.).

Let's just start with.........I truly had an amazing time last night!

The evening started off with a lovely dinner with my son at a small polish restaurant where much of the menu took me back to my Hungarian roots. Upon leaving the World Cup had ended and the German fans made sure we knew who had won.

We finally arrived in a parking lot close to the ACC and when the attendant said $35 i nearly croaked.......then my son said he just put up a new sign that now says $40. Anyway, I was glad I was driving the Fiat..... being a small car people actually didn't mind letting me in and I also got a prime exit spot.

Upon entering the venue, I was happy to see a fair number of younger people but as my son commented it was heavily laden with older Queen fans.......around me there were lots of black tees, men with shoulder length hair and some rather bad tattoos.

Our seats were dead centre row 12 aisle seats......I remember thinking I could have opted for closer seats but it was actually perfect. I think that to fully take in the whole performance, the unique set design and the magnificence of the lasers/lights, fog and confetti it was a perfect seat.

I had decided that I would simply watch the show and take in as much as I could. I left the capturing of special moments to my son. If you were to see me you might think that I was not a fan of either Adam or Queen but I was actually so thrilled to be there and to watch such a magnificent show that I was almost transfixed.......it was truly a visceral experience. The rather large lady beside me danced in her seat rocking me along with her. She was a long time Queen fan and couldn't stop raving about Adam's vocals.

I was gearing myself up for the comments during KQ but none came at to my ears.

As many have said before...........Adam's voice was meant to be heard live, It filled the arena with it's beauty, clarity and seemed like effortless glory. I was totally transported to a place of pure joy and pleasure. My reaction to WWTLF and TSMGO was as expected very emotional.........both songs touch me In a very special way.

My only complaint was that it was very hot so both my son and I drank lot's of water ($5.00/ bottle) and there is no good time to go to the washroom. It seemed like everyone around us took a quick break during Brian's extended solo. When four people in my row got up to leave during WWTLF I was ready to give the a piece of my mind.

When it was over, I can honestly say that we both felt that words were unnecessary. It's like really good food it needs to be savoured and one is left with a feeling of being totally satisfied.

On our drive home......my son said that this was not a concert he would have gone but none the less he really enjoyed it. That's all I needed to hear!

Oh and I went to hear UP after hearing of the train wreck and yeah Adam basically missed his cue and Roger saw it coming I think...He looks at Adam right as he was doing his "insanity bit" as in to will him along, but Adam didn't quite get it....Adam then looked to Roger and without panic on either side, Roger sang his backing vocal to get Adam back on track and they slid through unscathed...laughing about it afterwards....There was some noise though or reverb that threw adam off I think....I think Rog heard it which is why he started looking towards adam at that point...well recovered!

Queen with Adam Lambert – Air Canada Centre, Toronto – July 13, 2014
By Skye Hawkins

www.queenonline.com/
www.adamofficial.com/ca

If Adam Lambert was feeling like the personification of the classic The Queen hit “Under Pressure”, then he sure as hell didn’t show it Sunday night at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, as he and Queen delivered a powerful performance that held the sold out audience utterly captivated. Lambert’s phenomenal vocal range, cool confidence, and natural ease on stage, mixed with his relaxed interaction with the band makes him an intriguing front man. Does he fit well with Queen – hell yeah!

It goes without saying that most if not all Queen fans and classic rock enthusiasts will agree there was and only ever will be ONE Freddie Mercury – his talent immeasurable, his vocals incomparable, his showmanship unmatched. So if you’re a purist, chances are that you don’t and won’t embrace Adam Lambert belting out the familiar lyrics to your favourite Queen songs. But bear in mind that he is not trying to BE Freddie Mercury, he’s just trying to do the music proud, which he did in spades for the Toronto crowd.

The two hour and 20 minute show was off and running with “Now I’m Here”, teasing show goers with only short-lived shadows of Lambert behind a massive stage curtain adorned with the Queen logo. When the curtain finally dropped, there stood the originators of Queen as we’ve known and loved them since they emerged on the rock scene in the early 70’s – Brian May on guitar and Roger Taylor on drums, with two current touring members on keyboards and bass, and Taylor’s son Rufus Tiger Taylor on percussion and backing vocals. Rufus would later in the show play dual drums with his Dad.

The show’s setlist played out like a “Greatest Hits” album, with the fast and furious delivery of 3 classic songs in a row – “Stone Cold Crazy,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” and “Fat Bottomed Girls” all performed to perfection with the crowd singing along. “Seven Seas of Rhye” slowed the tempo a bit and then it was all fun and games for “Killer Queen,” which saw Lambert finally venture onto the curved cat walk that jutted from the stage and culminated in a small platform. A mauve antique velvet love seat sat atop, where Lambert sang and cheekily cavorted. Afterwards, he swilled from a bottle of champagne, which he then spewed like a fountain onto show goers below. Mischievously he asked one of the female contingent pressed against the stage barrier, “Pardon me, madam - did I get you wet? You’re supposed to say thank you.” The sexual overtones of his comment did not go unnoticed by the giggling crowd, at which point Lambert was quick to point out, “I’m equal opportunity, honey!” as he unabashedly clarified his bisexuality. And hot damn, does he make it work!!

With Lambert off stage for one of four stunning costume changes that ranged from leather to leopard print, the tempo slowed with May singing “39” and Taylor delivering “These Are the Days of Our Lives” while May played acoustically. Video of Freddie Mercury played on the big screens, creating a profoundly sentimental moment in the show. Even Brian May appeared visibly touched by the images of his old friend, despite that the process plays out for each and every performance. Lambert then returned to the stage for a revamped version of Freddie Mercury’s “Love Kills”, followed by “Who Wants to Live Forever” which offered up spine tingling chills in the form of Lambert’s spectacular vocal range and power.

Then we were treated to Brian May’s solo, and saying that it was a loooong one might in fact be a bit of an understatement. While there’s no argument that May is a much-loved and phenomenally talented guitarist who deserves to strut his stuff, this uber-extended solo elicited fan comments that included, “I thought it would never end,” “That went from inspiring to just plain self-indulgent,” and “In my 20 years of seeing rock concerts, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen such a long solo. As a matter of fact, even if you strung the 20 years of solos all together, I still don’t think it would be as long as what May just played.” Ouch! Yet, despite the comments, there was no denying The Man Can Play!

The stage came alive once again when the band busted out the raucous “Tie Your Mother Down” followed by “Radio Ga Ga,” which had the entire venue clapping in unison. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” caused Lambert to question his verbal segues between songs, but the tune ultimately had the audience on their feet and dancing. The main set then ended with gut wrenching deliveries of “The Show Must Go On” followed by “Bohemian Rapsody,” accompanied by old video footage of the song as well as Lambert paying respect to Mercury as he stood in front of the big screen and traded off lines of the song with the fallen icon. A short break ensued while lights and dry ice continued to swirl around the stage before the band returned for their classic encore of “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions”.

May, Rogers, and Lambert took a group bow with the crowd on their feet for a standing ovation. And the only words that came to mind after such an incredible show were, “Gunpowder, guillotine, Dynamite with a laser beam, Guaranteed to blow your mind, Anytime!”


Set List:

1. Now I'm Here
2. Stone Cold Crazy
3. Another One Bites the Dust
4. Fat Bottomed Girls
5. In the Lap of the Gods... Revisited
6. Seven Seas of Rhye
7. Killer Queen
8. Somebody to Love
9. I Want It All
10. Love of My Life
11. '39
12. These Are the Days of Our Lives
13. Under Pressure (Queen with David Bowie cover)
14. Love Kills (Freddie Mercury Cover)
15. Who Wants to Live Forever
16. Guitar Solo
17. Tie Your Mother Down
18. Radio Ga Ga
19. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
20. The Show Must Go On
21. Bohemian Rhapsody

Encore:
22. We Will Rock You
23. We Are the Champions