7.20.14 Q+AL CONCERT THREAD -- Columbia, MD USA

There are just no kind words for the I-95 corridor between NY and, let's say, Fredericksburg, VA (especially on a Sunday).

I wanted to give my observations of Merriweather. While the concert was fab, and the crowd raucious, the facility sucked. I was taken to another world with the musicianship and Adam nailed WWTLF and he was practically on the ground with his intensity. Ear gasm indeed.

I ran into 3 people at my hotel who had driven in from Lynchburg, VA. One was a local broadcaster and a die-hard Queen fab. Young, mid to late 40's. They was so excited to see the concert. I did not know they had a GA tickets.

Merriweather is old, dilapidated, holes in the pavilion floating tarp roof. Fortunately, no rain, but it was extremely hot in the Pavilion. The roof is low, so GA ticket holders cannot see. Screens for them were minimal, and the sound system not great. Also the grass area is not properly banked for viewing. I saw them the next morning, and these people I met were disappointed, and told me their difficulties. they said they could have stayed home and watched a dvd on tv. There were 1000's on the grass. So the experience was totally lost on 1000's.

I am not sure why Merriweather was included, but if Queen were to appear there again, and it was their only location in the USA, I would not attend.

I also spoke to a woman as I walked in with and she said they have been trying to rebuild, but the neighbors will not approve, so it stays as is.

There was a time curfew, and with a later start-time for the light show, they ran out of time, and I dearly wanted to hear TSMGO. I am hoping it appears in Atlantic City this weekend. Otherwise I will be exceedingly disappointed again. Sorry, I know entitled. But flying there, hotels, transportation and all other stuff is quite costly, so I feel I need to be indulged.

Besides that song is Queen's theme for this tour.

Okay, vented now, so I feel better.

I don't have anything new to say in my recap.  We hit the same horrific traffic getting there.  A 5 1/2hour journey took almost 8 hours due to a slow crawl between Richmond and DC so it was just as well we drove up the day before.

We parked in the parking building across from the venue and then walked back to Clydes.  The entire area was buzzing with pre concert excitement and Clydes was packed at 5.30 and they weren't even giving wait times.  They said come back at 7.30 when the concert goers leave!!  We had a lovely, if expensive meal at the french bistro nearby and walked back to the venue at 7.00.

The pavillion looked smaller than it appeared on the venue map so I was closer than expected but knew I wouldn't get to see the couch action once everyone was standing.  I could just see the top of Adam and Brian's head when they stood on the thrust but otherwise the view of the stage wasn't bad.  The man next to me and his wife from New Hampshire had already been to two shows, Vegas and Montreal.  They were first row in Montreal. I was too shy to ask her if she was an Atopian.

The show started and everyone stood and my grumpy, hate concerts, didn't really want to be there husband moaned about having to stand.  I watched him slowly warm up.  He was expressionless during 'Killer Queen' but squeezed my hand during 'Somebody to Love' and I knew we had hit a home run.

Adam was outrageous, relaxed and vocally perfect.  We both found his patter to be funny, with no awkward moments.  The call and response went well and everyone laughed at 'Jimmy cracked corn' and 'What the fuck am I singing?'

I loved all the solos and thought the drum battle was too short.  The only blight of the night was when Bo Rhap started and I realized there was no TSMGO.  It sort of spoilt BR for me because I felt so upset and then hoped that maybe they would do it in the encore. 

It was nice to meet Adamme after the show and give her a ride back to the hotel.

Getting my husband to acknowledge how great the concert was is still like getting blood out of stone.  He enjoyed it but still isn't a concert person.  I asked him; 

'Who can sing like that night after night?'

He said 'Freddie Mercury'

'But Freddie didn't hit those notes live!'

Him 'I still like Freddie's voice better'

And that folks is always going to be what some people will never get past.  You can't compete with the dead even when you are not trying to.

Isn't it funny how peeps have different experiences....I ADORED the Merriweather venue. I was puddle of sweat from the heat and couldn't really see Adam or the guys when they were on the thrust because the entire place was standing, but all that just added to the experience for me....enjoyed it way more than Madison Square Gardens.

It sure is "rustic" but the Pavilion seating was really comfortable - way more room between the rows than MSG. No, I wouldn't have wanted to be on the lawn, but that's a risky proposition at any outdoor venue.

My daughter who attends zillions of concerts liked how the vendors at MPP were so organized...you knew exactly what they offered and the prices before you got in line. (That was her one comment about the site, haha!)