Critics silenced as Queen rocks Rod Laver in sold-out show
Queen’s Adam Lambert in concert at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: News Corp Australia
THANKS to social media, we have seen a lot of people really bothered by Queen continuing to exist, now with guest singer Adam Lambert.
None of those people were in the sold out Rod Laver Arena last night.
These ticket holders weren’t debating how this technically wasn’t Queen (Mercury died in 1991, bassist John Deacon retired in 1997), or whether founding members Brian May and Roger Taylor should still be trading as Queen.
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Instead the fans were exactly doing what May and Taylor were doing — wildly enjoying themselves.
Queen's Brian May and Adam Lambert in concert at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: News Corp Australia
Within minutes you focus less on who isn’t there rather who is — May is one of the all time rock guitar heroes whose work is instantly identifiable and nothing has changed.
And Lambert plugs into Queen perfectly, if anything dialling down his theatricality...slightly.
He may be having the most fun of all; reviving Queen’s catalogue in a huge arena with decadent production is an incredible and challenging gift for any singer.
Adam Lambert in concert with Queen at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: News Corp Australia
While he’s got unmistakable Mercury in his performer DNA, Lambert puts just enough of himself in these songs to stop it being the world’s most musically accurate Queen tribute act.
“Thank you for suspending your disbelief and letting me sing these amazing songs,” Lambert tells the crowd, which include plenty of his own fans. “I’m just up here trying to make Freddie proud.”
Queen's Brian May and Adam Lambert in concert at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: News Corp Australia
Lambert’s even got his favourite Queen song Dragon Attack (from 1980s The Game) into the set list.
Elsewhere it’s wall to wall hits because, well, Somebody To Love, Bohemian Rhapsody, Tie Your Mother Down, Radio Gaga, I Want to Break Free, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Killer Queen, Fat Bottomed Girls, Another One Bites The Dust...need we go on?
It’s double substitution when Roger Taylor steps in for David Bowie on the duet Under Pressure.
And nothing reminds you Queen started in the early `70s than the near extinct extended bass and drum solos they bring back.
Watching Queen songs move the masses in 2014 (with plenty of the audience in their 20s or younger) reinforces just how timeless their biggest hits remain. And for the haters vintage Queen is just a Google away.
www.news.com.au/entertainment/critics-silenced-as-queen-rocks-rod-laver-in-soldout-show/story-e6frfmq9-1227041902890
