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Post by cassie on Jun 30, 2017 10:33:30 GMT -5
When I mention that Adam Lambert—who's touring with Queen as its frontman, and has been since 2012—can step up to the microphone he inherited from Freddie Mercury without breaking a sweat, he laughs. Lambert, like Mercury before him, has a flair for the dramatic under the heat of the spotlight, and that extends to his wardrobe: A bold leather jacket is his showman's staple, be it studded, printed, covered in zippers, or, lately, star-spangled. For this jaunt, he favors a silver one striped with shocks of red that match the current shade of his hair; he will likely break it out for a number of the 21 shows he'll play in the next 30 days, and will sweat his ass off for every single one of them. "Well, I sweat. I sweat a whole lot." It's a deflection, this joke at his own expense, and another parallel between the 35-year-old American Idol alum and the mustachioed tenor, who died in 1991 at the age of 45. As Mercury did in Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"-belting heyday, Lambert roars through some of the 20th century's most adored and vocally taxing verses with infuriating ease, and he gives everything he can until all that's left is a ringing in the ears of a stunned crowd and enough perspiration soaking his collar to cause concern. "I'm drenched and a hot mess by the end of the first twenty 20," he says. "But hey. It's worth it." FILLING MERCURY'S VOID, SINGING MERCURY'S SONGS, AND DOING RIGHT BY MERCURY'S LEGACY IS A RESPONSIBILITY AND A CHALLENGE AND A DESTINY ALL AT ONCE. Lambert is also a good sport, as this topic—of filling Mercury's void, singing Mercury's songs, and doing right by Mercury's legacy—is inescapable, a responsibility and a challenge and a destiny all at once. The singer's name hit household status in 2009 thanks to his second-place finish in the eighth season of Idol, and did so, fatefully enough, with Queen's support. The season finale featured Lambert and his rival, Kris Allen, belting out "We Are the Champions" alongside May and Taylor; though Allen would be dubbed that season's victor, Lambert's thunderous vibratto was a perfect fit for both the cinematic song selection and Queen's discography at large. Suited for the throes of classic rock, show tunes, and Top 40-friendly pop, his voice was the millennial heir apparent of Mercury's, and he floored May and Taylor to the point where they would go on to appoint Lambert a semi-permanent fixture in this late chapter of Queen's epic. He not only had to live up to May and Taylor's expectations, but those of multiple generations of fans—and the Olympian standards set by the late, great Mercury, a rock and LGBTQ icon Lambert sought to learn from and pay tribute to in every measure. "The way that I navigated that initial intimidation, I said, 'What was his intention with the song?'" says Lambert of his internal dialogue with Mercury's legacy. "'What did he want the audience to feel, and what story was he trying to tell?' As long as I focus on that, it usually lands. I have to avoid listening to the records too much. I don't want to imitate, copy, or mimic; I think that would be sort of tacky, and it'd be sort of disrespectful to the fans. I'm not here to do an impersonation. I'm here to make sure these songs are still heard, to keep the songs in a live space." "I DON'T WANT TO IMITATE, COPY, OR MIMIC," LAMBERT SAYS. "I'M NOT HERE TO DO AN IMPERSONATION. I'M HERE TO MAKE SURE THESE SONGS ARE STILL HEARD, TO KEEP THE SONGS IN A LIVE SPACE." ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW Beyond that, the memory of Mercury's indomitable stage presence shapes both Lambert's performance of the material and his psychic connection to it. Of the concert footage he's pored over, Lambert singles out Mercury's "spirit" as an influence that's swayed more than his vocal affectations. "There's a concert in Montreal where he's wearing little, itty-bitty white shorts, no shoes, and he's marching around on that stage having the best time, doing exactly whatever he pleases in every moment," he says. "There's something so inspiring about that. He was truly a rock star that way, in that he did whatever the fuck he wanted. He didn't really care if people liked it or not. He was unapologetic. He was so ballsy! I always aspire to be in that mindset. There were moments in my life that tried to prevent me from being there, but when I get onstage with Queen, I feel like I get full permission to let it all out." For Lambert, the timeliness of this tour—which celebrates the upcoming 40th anniversary of News of the World, Queen's sixth (and best-selling) album—breathes an urgency into the rousing anthems of the record that strike a necessary, current chord in 2017. News of the World boasts "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" as its singles, and these defiant, triumphant "calls to arms," as Lambert refers to them, offer motivational benefits to those who look to live music for an escape from the crushing emotional blows of our world gone mad. As happy as he, May, and Taylor are to be revamping their set list to anchor it on News of the World, Queen's output, on the whole, is a stimulant for those downtrodden by—or addicted to—scrolling through the list of atrocities and scandals were greeted with as soon as we glance at a screen. Getty Christopher Polk "People, universally, are craving empowerment," he says. "That's what I love the most about Queen's catalog: They have these incredible songs that are all very strong and infectious that way. I've always liked Queen's music because it's timeless—the melodies, the ideas in their songs. They almost always exclusively write about the human experience. They don't write about rich people, poor people; they don't write about any particular color, sexuality, or gender. It's the most universal songwriting I've encountered. I think that's why they've become so legendary. There's something really beautiful about how their music can bring people together." If touring with Queen has offered Lambert a masterclass in musical enlightenment and dosing the audience with as much aural hope as they can handle, his new single, "Two Fux," attempts to put that hard-earned knowledge to use. Lambert is an active, vocal member of the LGBTQ community, and recently spoke at the Resist March that took place over Pride weekend in Los Angeles. He tends to "shy away from politics because they're so divisive," but Lambert's speech was passionate and pointed in its criticisms of the HeWhoCannot amed administration those within it who champion hateful, homophobic, xenophobic, racist, and sexist rhetoric. "Two Fux" is airy, effervescent, and a showcase for the nosebleed-inducing heights his falsetto can scale; it also serves as the conflation of Queen's influence and Lambert's own experiences and perspective. In a break from their touring routine, "Two Fux" is getting worked into Queen's live show, and May and Taylor happily lend their talents and their stage to its debut. "The song really ties into all of what we're talking about—Pride, the world we live in, being inspired by a spirit like Freddie Mercury," he says. "It's very empowering. It's an exciting song. I'm thrilled that Brian and Roger enjoyed the song as much as they did when I played it for them, and that they're interested in performing it with me. I'm very honored that they agreed to do that." Five years into this, Lambert's challenges have changed, and he finds himself in a more "organic" place: Now that he's long since proven he's worthy of the seemingly impossible task at hand, he's able to relax a bit in this surreal, singular place he's carved out for himself—a pop star in his own right who's been invited to help write the legend of another. It's enough to leave him crumbling under pressure, but it's no sweat, really. He can handle it, as it's all in a day's work—with or without the leather jacket. www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a56046/adam-lambert-queen-interview-two-fux/
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Post by cassie on Jul 3, 2017 7:24:53 GMT -5
Lambert wins over any doubters with his reverent take on Queen classics at Seattle show. By Owen R. Smith Special to The Seattle Times It’s not often artists gets to live their own dream and keep someone else’s alive at the same time, so it was refreshing to see Adam Lambert and Queen attack the opportunity with zeal Saturday night at sold-out KeyArena. Queen only has two original members left, guitarist Brian May and Roger Taylor, and it was these two pillars of rock history that most of the older crowd was there to see. The band opened with a thundering snippet of “We Will Rock You,” and used a blistering May guitar solo to transition smoothly into “Hammer to Fall,” reassuring the audience early and often that yeah, at 69 years old he’s still got it. The partnership between Lambert and Queen has been going strong for five years, and the former “American Idol” runner-up’s elastic, laser-beam of a voice is a natural fit to fill the sonic void left by Freddie Mercury. While no one can ever truly replace the legendary, pioneering frontman, Lambert is good enough that it introduces an uncomfortable notion: were Mercury still alive and with the band, he would be 71 and it is unlikely they’d sound as vital as they do in their current form. That thought was on no one’s mind as Lambert tore through a parade of hits including “Another One Bites the Dust,” off 1980’s “The Game,” and “Fat Bottom Girls,” which had the crowd roaring the lyrics in a raucous singalong. After whipping the crowd up, Lambert used a moment to catch his breath and acknowledge that he would never try to replace Mercury. “I’m a fan just like you guys,” he said in a speech that would be lip service if not for the obvious care Lambert has for Queen’s catalog. That love was evident throughout the evening but was especially prominent on “Under Pressure,” which they dedicated to David Bowie, who contributed vocals to the 1982 hit. With Taylor playing a second set of drums on the large catwalk that cut through the arena floor, Lambert circled the drums and locked eyes with him as they sang the duet. It was as intimate a moment as you can have playing rock music in an arena filled with thousands of people and showed the reverence Lambert has for his sexagenarian tourmates. To no one’s surprise, Queen closed out the main portion of the show with two of their greatest hits, “Radio Ga Ga” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” As theatrical as much of Queen’s music is, “Bohemian Rhapsody” takes it to another level and in the wrong hands, it could end up seeming like parody or even karaoke but that was never a fear with Lambert, who won over any doubters by night’s end. The band came back out for a few more, including “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.” It was a triumphant way to end the evening. Link: www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/queen-and-adam-lambert-are-the-champions-of-keyarena/
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Post by cassie on Jul 7, 2017 17:08:43 GMT -5
"From beginning to end, Lambert certainly proved what an incredible performer he truly is at this point in his career. He was a gracious entertainer and encouraged the crowd to sing and dance along with him. Adam also delighted the fans with his 5 or 6 costume changes. Each ensemble was a little more outlandish and brightly colored then the next. During Queen’s single from the film Highlander, “Who Wants To Live Forever,” Adam hit every note with incredible intensity and longing. This display of vocal skills was heard throughout the concert and was a joy to see first-hand. " music.allaccess.com/queen-adam-lambert-at-the-hollywood-bowl/
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Post by cassie on Jul 10, 2017 16:21:25 GMT -5
Review: Queen + Adam Lambert in Omaha POSTED ON JULY 10, 2017 BY ANDY HALL Queen + Adam Lambert put on one hell of a good rock show this past Saturday night inside of Omaha’s CenturyLink Center on the banks of the Missouri River. And that’s just what it was, in case any of you had your doubts. A rock show. Casual fans may consider the two remaining active members of the original lineup, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, and current frontman Adam Lambert, strange bedfellows considering the difference in age…not to mention musical style, if you’re familiar at all with Lambert’s solo material. Those with a little more history and scope in terms of the meeting of these two entities, however, would argue it doesn’t get any better in a world in which Freddie Mercury doesn’t exist in physical form. The original frontman, one of the most celebrated and cherished in the history of popular music, passed away in the fall of 1991…nearly 26 years ago as of present day. But that hasn’t stopped May and Taylor from continuing to perform to legions of fans around the world with various singers, some of whom were great vocalists but not necessarily “performers” in the mold of Mercury…in Lambert, they’ve discovered the best of both worlds – a young man that is not only capable of carrying a tune, but also adding a panache and flair for entertainment that few others can boast of since Mercury’s passing. The combination has clearly re-invigorated the aging icons, and is breathing new life into an impressive back-catalogue of hits, from a wide variety of musical styles, and resulting in a powerhouse of “Prime Jive.” From the recognizable opening “stomp-stomp-clap” cadence of “We Will Rock You” to the final breath of “We Are The Champions” over 25 songs and 2 hours later, fans were treated to a cavalcade of classic rock that showcased all the major players in some way, shape or form: whether it be Lambert’s soaring, acrobatic talents as a singer, or May’s inventive and unique riffs and solo patterns, or Taylor’s chops as both a rhythm stronghold and rock singer in his own right, Queen + Adam Lambert gave the near-capacity crowd everything they wanted and more. Within the setlist, a few gems stood out, including a rendition of “Stone Cold Crazy” that found Lambert coming as close to a heavy metal vocalist as he probably ever has. May secluding himself from the main stage, and surrounding himself with fans on all sides during a heart-felt take on the “little Freddie song” “Love of My Life,” which concluded with a video of Mercury himself, taking the final chorus in the screen behind the guitarist. Or the band paying homage to the 40th anniversary of their “News of the World” album by reaching deep into the arsenal for the rarely-performed “It’s Late.” Despite the genre-defying nature of the band’s body of work as a whole, there’s no doubt that fans witnessed a rock show on Saturday night. And, comprising the nerve center of the wall of sound, two legendary rock stars in May and Taylor, and one that proved his “metal” (sic) in Lambert, who showed everyone in the house that he is no one-trick pony, and impressed in his role as singer and entertainer. lazer1033.com/andy-hall/review-queen-adam-lambert-in-omaha/
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Post by cassie on Jul 10, 2017 16:25:42 GMT -5
Queen plus Adam Lambert faithfully revive the sounds of an eminent, unique band in KC BY TIMOTHY FINN tfinn@kcstar.com LINKEDIN GOOGLE+ PINTEREST REDDIT PRINT ORDER REPRINT OF THIS STORY Freddie Mercury is irreplaceable. That point was made expressively Sunday night at the Sprint Center. But the songs and music of the band Queen are timeless and indelible and worthy of revival under the right circumstances, a point made emphatically Sunday night. For about two hours, two of the founding members of the legendary British rock band, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, fronted by lead vocalist Adam Lambert, led a crowd of about 13,000 through a set list that spanned two dozen songs, some of them more than 40 years old. And it made for a night that was as sentimentally satisfying as it was relentlessly entertaining. Lambert, an “American Idol” runner-up in Season 8 (he lost to Kris Allen), is the ideal surrogate Freddie Mercury: He’s fearlessly campy and uninhibited, and he has the vocal might that can punch holes through arena walls. The trio, backed by three other musicians, opened with a teaser: about 15 seconds of “We Will Rock You,” a classic stadium-sized anthem that would make a later appearance. They officially opened with “Hammer to Fall,” and then “Stone Cold Crazy,” two relatively obscure tracks, neither of which charted in the U.S. but both of which drew plenty of recognition from the crowd. TBL: Kevin Coffey - best replacement singers Omaha World-Herald From there they barged full-steam-ahead into solid-gold terrain, starting with the funk-rock classic “Another One Bites the Dust,” which led to the whimsical and libidinous arena anthem “Fat Bottomed Girls,” then into the lustrously irresistible groove-fest “Killer Queen,” all of which Lambert handled with equal parts deference and panache. Throughout the show, Lambert paid respects to Mercury and his larger-than-life reputation. He also deferred to May and Taylor, calling them “rock Gods” and “legends.” But he did not back down from commanding the stage, vocally, physically and otherwise, and imparting upon the show his own personality and flavor. He changed costume/wardrobe several times, though each time he emerged wearing seemingly a different variation on the same theme: a leather jacket (sleeveless, usually), leather pants and boots, with studs and spangles adorning most of it. The best of the bunch was the blazing blood-orange ensemble that matched the color of his hair. I think he was wearing that when he pedaled around the guitar-shaped stage on a tricycle during the delightful version of “Bicycle Race,” ringing a handlebar-bell throughout. He also infused the show with appropriate amounts of sexual innuendos and gyrations and gestures that usually involved the microphone stand. During a rabble-rousing version of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” he flashed some impressive Elvis dance moves Mercury was remembered throughout the show, but with tasteful restraint. One of the many highlights of the show was May’s solo-acoustic version of “Love of My Life,” a lovely ballad from the “Night at the Opera Album.” May played it simple and straight. Toward the end he was joined, on the video screen, by footage of Mercury singing the final verse or two. It was a touching remembrance. They ended the first set with — what else? — “Bohemian Rhapsody,” turning over the chorus parts to footage from the original video, displayed on the large video screen. For such a complex and ornate song, it aroused a memorable, verbatim and rafter-rattling sing-along, equal in volume to the ovation for May’s guitar solo toward the end of it. As he did all night, Lambert sang everything just right: with much drama and aplomb but without overdoing it. The show ended with the teaser that started it: a version of “We Will Rock You” that almost split the arena open at its seams. Then came “We Are the Champions,” a rock-opera hymn with the fervor of a fight song. It brought the close of an evening that from the start was about rewarding winners and legends and bringing back to life and back on to the playing field the music of one of the most creative and unique bands in the sport of rock music. Timothy Finn: 816-234-4781, @phinnagain www.kansascity.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/back-to-rockville/article160463654.html
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 14, 2017 22:48:36 GMT -5
Chicago - United Center Arena - July 13, 2017www.axs.com/queen-still-killer-with-adam-lambert-in-chicago-120894?#slide=1Queen still 'Killer' with Adam Lambert in Chicago By: Daniel DeSlover AXS Contributor Jul 14, 2017Iconic rockers Queen returned to Chicago, performing as Queen + Adam Lambert, filling the United Center for an evening of classic rock that included their greatest hits. Hitting the stage a little after 8 p.m., most of the sold-out audience had found their seats before the lights dimmed, obviously privy to the fact that there would be no opening act. Though the production was not classic Queen, given that Freddie Mercury is irreplaceable, it was a modern reboot that offered even the most die-hard fans a worthy performance. Adam Lambert filled the void with a strong stage presence that should have had the late rock icon smiling down upon him. Indeed, video snippets of Mercury on the high-def screen above the stage offered that exact vibe while adding heartfelt moments during key times throughout the show. It helped that Lambert did not try to emulate Mercury—either vocally or in spirit. Rather, Lambert was himself. Perhaps more flamboyant than Freddie but commanding the stage with aplomb and handling the songs with his ability to hit the requisite searing highs with his obvious vocal chops. Individually tailored props, like a pink tricycle filled with roses that magically appeared at the end of the thrust during “Bicycle Race,” brought his personality front and center. Original members guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor also had their moments to shine (giving Lambert time to change into a good half-dozen different outfits during the course of the show) and showed absolutely no signs of slowing down after more than four decades in the game. Taylor’s voice was in top form on “I’m In Love With My Car,” and he was also relentless on the kit. May remains one of rock's greatest guitarists. He delivered piercing solos, showed his psychedelic side during “Get Down Make Love,” and took over vocals on the solo-acoustic “Love of My Life” (while incorporating a touching tribute to Mercury, who finished the last verse on screen before fading into darkness as he walked away). May took a moment to recognize Chicago, giving his thanks to the fans as well as musical history. He said, “The roots of blues music from Chicago has been a force throughout the world. We are happy to bring some joy back to Chicago tonight." Taylor joined May and Lambert at the end of the thrust, placing them close to dead-center of the arena for the playful, Elvis Presley-infused “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” That put him in prime position for a drum solo and battle with touring musician, Tyler Warren, before moving into “Under Pressure.” The latter served up the solemn reminder that we lost Davie Bowie recently while also reinforcing Taylor’s vocal abilities as he subbed in for the Thin White Duke. “Bohemian Rhapsody” closed the set proper, flashing snippets of the classic video on the monitors and piping Mercury’s vocal tracks to again showcase the legendary singer in a tasteful duet with Lambert. It was the perfect touch to end the night, though an encore of “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions” invoked a sing-along that nearly brought the roof down.
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 14, 2017 22:52:12 GMT -5
Chicago - United Center Arena - July 13, 2017illinoisentertainer.com/2017/07/review-and-gallery-adam-lambert-and-queen-at-united-center/Review and Gallery: Queen and Adam Lambert at United Center -Gallery and review by Andy Argyrakis Queen + Adam Lambert United Center, Chicago Thursday, July 13, 2017 By sheer coincidence, Queen + Adam Lambert’s latest visit to another sold out United Center just so happened to fall on the exact same date of Live Aid 32 years ago. Of course, that “global jukebox” featured Queen with its late front man Freddie Mercury, who completely stole the show at Wembley Stadium and reinforced an already legendary foundation to an international audience long before the internet’s existence. Many consider that moment the ultimate performance peak for the illustrious rockers, and considering no one could hold a crowd in the palm of their hand like Mercury, it wasn’t all that surprising when he earned louder applause every time he was shown on the big screen than those standing in the flesh on stage. No, it’s not the same band same these days with bassist John Deacon retired and just guitarist Brian May with drummer Roger Taylor leading the charge alongside the American Idol alum turned solo singer/songwriter stepping into those impossible-to-fill shoes, but that didn’t mean the trio didn’t rise to the occasion as best as humanely possible. In fact, Queen + Adam Lambert took the essence of everything that made the band so fantastic and bombastic back in the day and channeled it through their own chemistry together from a fresh perspective. Sure, Lambert’s flamboyant and outrageous approach will garner comparisons to the man he inherited the microphone from (and he was clearly even more over the top when came to having more costume changes than Cher and a stage persona that oozed with uninhibited sexuality), but make no mistake, this incredibly extroverted entertainer also has some killer rock n’ roll pipes. And now that he’s had the job officially since 2011 more or less, he’s become quite comfortable with the complicated material, accenting the all classics and some deeper tracks with his own vocal nuances rather than trying to merely mimic Mercury (which viral sensation and artist in his own right Marc Martel does flawlessly by the way in the officially-sanctioned Queen Extravaganza). Indeed, Lambert demonstrated that dynamic range time and time again on tunes as widespread as the monstrous “Stone Cold Crazy,” the soulful “Another One Bites The Dust,” the swinging “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and the practically operatic “Who Wants To Live Forever.” In addition to hammering the beat for two solid hours, Taylor also took his turn on vocals for the joyfully cheeky “I’m In Love With My Car,” and later, filled in fairly steadily for David Bowie while volleying with Lambert on “Under Pressure.” May also slayed pretty much every note on the six-string and sung with a virtual Freddie during “Love Of My Life,” while later paving the way to “Radio Ga Ga” (said to be the inspiration for Lady Gaga’s surname) with a sweltering solo. However, nothing summarized the grandiose ethos of Queen more than “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which began with Lambert on lead, followed by a cape-clad May popping out from below the stage, and ultimately, Mercury leading the chorus above them all. It definitely wasn’t Live Aid, but for those who’ve waited their whole lives to see who they could from Queen or even old-timers hoping to reconnect with its colorful catalogue in a concert context, few could argue that when it came to July 13, 2017, Queen + Adam Lambert were the champions on the exact same court where “We Will Rock You” helped lay this very venue’s victorious foundation.
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Post by maya on Jul 14, 2017 22:59:12 GMT -5
www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a56046/adam-lambert-queen-interview-two-fux/Adam Lambert Isn't Here to Replace Freddie Mercury. He's a Queen Frontman for the 21st Century. On the 40th anniversary of the earth-shattering News of the World, Lambert contributes to the rock band's legacy while moving forward with his own. BY HILARY HUGHES JUN 30, 2017 When I mention that Adam Lambert—who's touring with Queen as its frontman, and has been since 2012—can step up to the microphone he inherited from Freddie Mercury without breaking a sweat, he laughs. Lambert, like Mercury before him, has a flair for the dramatic under the heat of the spotlight, and that extends to his wardrobe: A bold leather jacket is his showman's staple, be it studded, printed, covered in zippers, or, lately, star-spangled. For this jaunt, he favors a silver one striped with shocks of red that match the current shade of his hair; he will likely break it out for a number of the 21 shows he'll play in the next 30 days, and will sweat his ass off for every single one of them. "Well, I sweat. I sweat a whole lot." It's a deflection, this joke at his own expense, and another parallel between the 35-year-old American Idol alum and the mustachioed tenor, who died in 1991 at the age of 45. As Mercury did in Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"-belting heyday, Lambert roars through some of the 20th century's most adored and vocally taxing verses with infuriating ease, and he gives everything he can until all that's left is a ringing in the ears of a stunned crowd and enough perspiration soaking his collar to cause concern. "I'm drenched and a hot mess by the end of the first 20," he says. "But hey. It's worth it." FILLING MERCURY'S VOID, SINGING MERCURY'S SONGS, AND DOING RIGHT BY MERCURY'S LEGACY IS A RESPONSIBILITY AND A CHALLENGE AND A DESTINY ALL AT ONCE.Lambert is also a good sport, as this topic—of filling Mercury's void, singing Mercury's songs, and doing right by Mercury's legacy—is inescapable, a responsibility and a challenge and a destiny all at once. The singer's name hit household status in 2009 thanks to his second-place finish in the eighth season of Idol, and did so, fatefully enough, with Queen's support. The season finale featured Lambert and his rival, Kris Allen, belting out "We Are the Champions" alongside May and Taylor; though Allen would be dubbed that season's victor, Lambert's thunderous vibratto was a perfect fit for both the cinematic song selection and Queen's discography at large. Suited for the throes of classic rock, show tunes, and Top 40-friendly pop, his voice was the millennial heir apparent of Mercury's, and he floored May and Taylor to the point where they would go on to appoint Lambert a semi-permanent fixture in this late chapter of Queen's epic. He not only had to live up to May and Taylor's expectations, but those of multiple generations of fans—and the Olympian standards set by the late, great Mercury, a rock and LGBTQ icon Lambert sought to learn from and pay tribute to in every measure. "The way that I navigated that initial intimidation, I said, 'What was his intention with the song?'" says Lambert of his internal dialogue with Mercury's legacy. "'What did he want the audience to feel, and what story was he trying to tell?' As long as I focus on that, it usually lands. I have to avoid listening to the records too much. I don't want to imitate, copy, or mimic; I think that would be sort of tacky, and it'd be sort of disrespectful to the fans. I'm not here to do an impersonation. I'm here to make sure these songs are still heard, to keep the songs in a live space." "I DON'T WANT TO IMITATE, COPY, OR MIMIC," LAMBERT SAYS. "I'M NOT HERE TO DO AN IMPERSONATION. I'M HERE TO MAKE SURE THESE SONGS ARE STILL HEARD, TO KEEP THE SONGS IN A LIVE SPACE."Beyond that, the memory of Mercury's indomitable stage presence shapes both Lambert's performance of the material and his psychic connection to it. Of the concert footage he's pored over, Lambert singles out Mercury's "spirit" as an influence that's swayed more than his vocal affectations. "There's a concert in Montreal where he's wearing little, itty-bitty white shorts, no shoes, and he's marching around on that stage having the best time, doing exactly whatever he pleases in every moment," he says. "There's something so inspiring about that. He was truly a rock star that way, in that he did whatever the fuck he wanted. He didn't really care if people liked it or not. He was unapologetic. He was so ballsy! I always aspire to be in that mindset. There were moments in my life that tried to prevent me from being there, but when I get onstage with Queen, I feel like I get full permission to let it all out." For Lambert, the timeliness of this tour—which celebrates the upcoming 40th anniversary of News of the World, Queen's sixth (and best-selling) album—breathes an urgency into the rousing anthems of the record that strike a necessary, current chord in 2017. News of the World boasts "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" as its singles, and these defiant, triumphant "calls to arms," as Lambert refers to them, offer motivational benefits to those who look to live music for an escape from the crushing emotional blows of our world gone mad. As happy as he, May, and Taylor are to be revamping their set list to anchor it on News of the World, Queen's output, on the whole, is a stimulant for those downtrodden by—or addicted to—scrolling through the list of atrocities and scandals were greeted with as soon as we glance at a screen. "People, universally, are craving empowerment," he says. "That's what I love the most about Queen's catalog: They have these incredible songs that are all very strong and infectious that way. I've always liked Queen's music because it's timeless—the melodies, the ideas in their songs. They almost always exclusively write about the human experience. They don't write about rich people, poor people; they don't write about any particular color, sexuality, or gender. It's the most universal songwriting I've encountered. I think that's why they've become so legendary. There's something really beautiful about how their music can bring people together." If touring with Queen has offered Lambert a masterclass in musical enlightenment and dosing the audience with as much aural hope as they can handle, his new single, "Two Fux," attempts to put that hard-earned knowledge to use. Lambert is an active, vocal member of the LGBTQ community, and recently spoke at the Resist March that took place over Pride weekend in Los Angeles. He tends to "shy away from politics because they're so divisive," but Lambert's speech was passionate and pointed in its criticisms of the HeWhoCannot amed administration those within it who champion hateful, homophobic, xenophobic, racist, and sexist rhetoric. "Two Fux" is airy, effervescent, and a showcase for the nosebleed-inducing heights his falsetto can scale; it also serves as the conflation of Queen's influence and Lambert's own experiences and perspective. In a break from their touring routine, "Two Fux" is getting worked into Queen's live show, and May and Taylor happily lend their talents and their stage to its debut. "The song really ties into all of what we're talking about—Pride, the world we live in, being inspired by a spirit like Freddie Mercury," he says. "It's very empowering. It's an exciting song. I'm thrilled that Brian and Roger enjoyed the song as much as they did when I played it for them, and that they're interested in performing it with me. I'm very honored that they agreed to do that." Five years into this, Lambert's challenges have changed, and he finds himself in a more "organic" place: Now that he's long since proven he's worthy of the seemingly impossible task at hand, he's able to relax a bit in this surreal, singular place he's carved out for himself—a pop star in his own right who's been invited to help write the legend of another. It's enough to leave him crumbling under pressure, but it's no sweat, really. He can handle it, as it's all in a day's work—with or without the leather jacket.
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 14, 2017 23:18:15 GMT -5
OMAHA - CenturyLink Center - July 8, 2017 lazer1033.com/andy-hall/review-queen-adam-lambert-in-omaha/Review: Queen + Adam Lambert in OmahaPOSTED ON JULY 10, 2017 BY ANDY HALLQueen + Adam Lambert put on one hell of a good rock show this past Saturday night inside of Omaha’s CenturyLink Center on the banks of the Missouri River. And that’s just what it was, in case any of you had your doubts. A rock show. Casual fans may consider the two remaining active members of the original lineup, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, and current frontman Adam Lambert, strange bedfellows considering the difference in age…not to mention musical style, if you’re familiar at all with Lambert’s solo material. Those with a little more history and scope in terms of the meeting of these two entities, however, would argue it doesn’t get any better in a world in which Freddie Mercury doesn’t exist in physical form. The original frontman, one of the most celebrated and cherished in the history of popular music, passed away in the fall of 1991…nearly 26 years ago as of present day. But that hasn’t stopped May and Taylor from continuing to perform to legions of fans around the world with various singers, some of whom were great vocalists but not necessarily “performers” in the mold of Mercury…in Lambert, they’ve discovered the best of both worlds – a young man that is not only capable of carrying a tune, but also adding a panache and flair for entertainment that few others can boast of since Mercury’s passing. The combination has clearly re-invigorated the aging icons, and is breathing new life into an impressive back-catalogue of hits, from a wide variety of musical styles, and resulting in a powerhouse of “Prime Jive.” From the recognizable opening “stomp-stomp-clap” cadence of “We Will Rock You” to the final breath of “We Are The Champions” over 25 songs and 2 hours later, fans were treated to a cavalcade of classic rock that showcased all the major players in some way, shape or form: whether it be Lambert’s soaring, acrobatic talents as a singer, or May’s inventive and unique riffs and solo patterns, or Taylor’s chops as both a rhythm stronghold and rock singer in his own right, Queen + Adam Lambert gave the near-capacity crowd everything they wanted and more. Within the setlist, a few gems stood out, including a rendition of “Stone Cold Crazy” that found Lambert coming as close to a heavy metal vocalist as he probably ever has. May secluding himself from the main stage, and surrounding himself with fans on all sides during a heart-felt take on the “little Freddie song” “Love of My Life,” which concluded with a video of Mercury himself, taking the final chorus in the screen behind the guitarist. Or the band paying homage to the 40th anniversary of their “News of the World” album by reaching deep into the arsenal for the rarely-performed “It’s Late.” Despite the genre-defying nature of the band’s body of work as a whole, there’s no doubt that fans witnessed a rock show on Saturday night. And, comprising the nerve center of the wall of sound, two legendary rock stars in May and Taylor, and one that proved his “metal” (sic) in Lambert, who showed everyone in the house that he is no one-trick pony, and impressed in his role as singer and entertainer.
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 14, 2017 23:27:19 GMT -5
CHICAGO - United Center Arena - July 13, 2017chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/adam-lambert-queen-on-top-of-the-world-at-the-united-center/amp/Queen & Adam Lambert on top of the ‘World’ at the United Center Jeff Elbel - For the Sun-TimesThree summers following their North American debut in Chicago, Queen + Adam Lambert returned to the United Center Thursday night for an encore performance that boosted the energy and spectacle to stellar heights. The concert helped to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Queen’s best-selling “News of the World” LP. The childlike-but-deadly giant robot from the album’s cover interacted with the band and crowd via a dazzling multimedia display, animatronics and an articulated stage. “These are legends, you guys,” said Lambert as he introduced guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, describing his joy in honoring the late Freddie Mercury’s memory onstage alongside the pair. “Every night, I’m like, oh my God. Is this the real life, or is this just fantasy?,” he added, cribbing from “Bohemian Rhapsody.” “There will only be, for all of time, one Freddie Mercury,” Lambert proclaimed, making plain that he wasn’t trying to replace the irreplaceable. Still, it was easy to imagine Mercury smiling upon Lambert. The pop chart-topper and “American Idol” veteran put all of his considerable talent into bravura performances of songs like the spine-tingling “Who Wants to Live Forever.” A bevy of hits filled the set, and the band was ferocious from the jump with “Hammer to Fall.” Lambert and May stood shoulder-to-shoulder for the song’s climax, exhibiting an easy chemistry that was evident throughout the evening. The crowd responded with fever pitch for the close vocal harmony and Taylor’s drum intro to “Fat Bottomed Girls.” An extended solo by May allowed Lambert to make his first of many glam-tastic wardrobe changes. “Freddy was a fashionista,” said Lambert, emerging in an embroidered purple suit and high-heeled boots. “I’ve got to keep up.” The band also catered to hardcore fans during the two-hour set, playing deep cuts including the manic “Don’t Stop Me Now” and psychedelic “Get Down, Make Love.” Before playing a solo acoustic “Love of My Life,” May described his appreciation for Chicago’s musical legacy. It might not have seemed exotic to locals, May suggested, but hearing a blues record from Chicago was a lightning bolt for a kid in Middlesex, England. “It was one of the bibles we grew up with,” he said. May introduced longtime associate Spike Edney, highlighting his hometown ties here. Edney added elegance on piano, and was also prominently featured during Lambert’s own current single “Two F–.” The song’s stuttering synth-pop and Lambert’s falsetto flight served as both a lighthearted romp and a self-assured statement of inner strength, as May sparked a note-perfect solo followed by majestic power chords. It was a natural fusion between the artists’ pop and art-rock palettes. Lambert rode a pink delivery bike festooned with carnations that he tossed into the crowd during “Bicycle Race.” The hall became a sea of raised hands for the double-claps marking the chorus of “Radio Ga Ga.” Stadium anthems “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” were fitting showstoppers, with thunderous singing from the audience. The night’s cheeky and exuberant performance was testament to Queen’s tremendous staying power, while suggesting that new music with Lambert could be worthwhile and fun. Jeff Elbel is a local freelance writer. SET LISTWe Will Rock You (teaser) Hammer to Fall Stone Cold Crazy Another One Bites the Dust Fat Bottomed Girls Killer Queen Two F– (Adam Lambert single) Don’t Stop Me Now Bicycle Race I’m in Love With My Car Get Down, Make Love I Want It All Love of My Life Somebody to Love Crazy Little Thing Called Love Drum Battle Under Pressure I Want to Break Free Who Wants to Live Forever Guitar Solo Radio Ga Ga Bohemian Rhapsody ENCORE:We Will Rock You We Are the Champions
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