1.22.15 Adam News and Info

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Saulibert Forever ‏Pearl 54s55 seconds ago
Gig photos and review Queen + Adam Lambert at Manchester Arena, UK – 21st January 2015 @gigjunkies bit.ly/1ExTIuD


Live Aid, 1985, Queen take to the Wembley stage. Freddie Mercury plays the opening chords of Bohemian Rhapsody on the piano and begins a 20 minute set which is universally recognised as one of the most phenomenal live performances of all time. I was two years old when that took place. Thirty years later, I’ve just left the Manchester Arena having spent the past two hours in absolute awe; dancing along to some of the same rock anthems as performed by Mercury that day, courtesy of Queen’s latest tour featuring Adam Lambert as their accompanying vocalist.

This latest tour marks the continuation of a thriving relationship the original Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor have built with Lambert, who rose to fame originally on American Idol. If the Manchester Arena’s completely full house attendance is anything to go by it’s also quite a lucrative partnership. No expense is spared, with a superstar stage setup with a giant video screen, strobe and laser lighting engulfing the set-up, resulting in a spectacular platform for the evenings proceedings.

Lambert takes the place as the lead vocalist with incredible respect for the legendary Freddie Mercury. He shares some traits with the late singer; a technically accomplished vocal performance, exuberance for live performing and flamboyant style, but he is by no means a clone. Lambert infuses his own personality into the performance whilst treading very carefully to deliver what the fans want to see. But then nothing less should be expected from a seasoned performer like him. With two critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums to his name and a reputation for putting on an impressive live act (his performance of Mad World on American Idol remains as one of the best moments on any TV talent show), he delivers slick professionalism, all the while making it look effortless, pouring in raw emotion and keeping the audience enthralled with his every move. “I wouldn’t know what the fuck I was doing if it weren’t for Freddie!” he proclaims to the crowd at one point, taking the opportunity to show his own admiration and dedication to delivering for the hard-core Queen fans.

With as many hits as Queen have had, picking a highlight really comes down to personal preference. There are some obviously great moments with ‘Somebody To Love’, ‘I Want To Break Free’, ‘These Are The Days Of Our Lives’, ‘Under Pressure’, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ and ‘We Will Rock You’ all lingering in the mind long after the show has finished. The night though belongs to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (as if there was any doubt). It’s played almost as a duet, with Lambert kicking it off and then cutting to video screen footage of Mercury from the original music video performing the second verse and interchanging between the two there on throughout. The result is overwhelming, powerful and truly unique. The final song ‘We Are The Champions’ provides the perfect soundtrack for an Arena full of fans all on their feet showing appreciation for the talent on display.

What I personally like about Queen is their ability to adapt. For me, it’s one of the keys to their long-lasting success (that and an incomparable back catalogue of music; as May himself said this evening “A good song never dies”). May and Taylor have found new ways to keep the band alive. Touring with Lambert has given them the chance to breathe some fresh life and versatility into their legacy. Everyone working on this tour has found a way to pay the perfect tribute to Freddie Mercury and the glory days of Queen, meaning fans around the world can continue to enjoy their music performed live and new generations get the chance to immerse themselves in the music of one of the best rock bands in music history.