maya
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Post by maya on Jul 14, 2017 23:38:49 GMT -5
EDMONTON, Alberta,Canada - Rogers Place - July 4, 2017 www.edmontonsun.com/2017/07/05/queen--adam-lambert-go-through-all-the-hits-at-rogers-placeQueen + Adam Lambert go through all the hits at Rogers PlaceTOM MURRAY
FIRST POSTED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 05, 2017 06:20 AM MDT It's impossible to believe that Adam Lambert would kill a man. Other than that, the American Idol runner-up was perfectly acceptable as a Freddie Mercury replacement at Tuesday night's Queen + Adam Lambert performance. The now five-year-old project has provoked grumbles in some quarters as hardcore fans denounce Lambert's association with original members Brian May and Roger Taylor, but the fact is everyone involved seems energized by the collaboration. Most importantly, the audience at the nearly packed Rogers Place were completely won over. The two-and-a-half hour concert focused almost exclusively on the hits, more than you remember, with a a Lambert tune (Two Fux) and a rambling (some would say tedious) song/guitar solo off of Brian May's 1992 solo album Back to the Light thrown in for good measure. May was in good form on guitar and Taylor kept up the pace on drums while providing background vocals, taking over David Bowie's vocal part on Under Pressure. Lambert kept up his end of the bargain, not only hitting all the right notes but also strutting about in a number of different leather outfits, from fuchsia to sparkly black, taking all attention as his due while also graciously reflecting it back at the two original members. The set list hit on everything you would have wanted to hear; if there were any quibbles it was from occasional sound issues, like the murky bass on Another One Bites the Dust. May and Taylor were given their moments to shine, including a drum battle between Taylor and auxiliary percussionist Tyler Warren, and Freddie Mercury showed up in several video clips, though possibly one too many, if you have a distaste for duets from the grave. Homage can be a good thing in rock 'n' roll, but only in small doses. As with the classic, original lineup, Queen + Adam Lambert were at their best when they fell headlong into the bombast. Fat Bottomed Girls was as hilariously ridiculous as you'd expect, Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Killer Queen rocked, and I Want It All was a perfect statement of purpose for both singer and band. The short snippet of We Will Rock You that opened the night before Hammer to Fall (from 1984's The Works) was a Pavlovian exercise in audience salivation. Stage antics were kept to a minimum, with the exception of Lambert's sweet, three wheel ride, a perfect accessory for Bicycle Race. There was simply no topping Bohemian Rhapsody as a closer, though the band did go on to encore with four more songs; We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions are more chants than songs, but they do sound absolutely right echoing through a hockey arena, with thousands of fans screaming themselves hoarse along with Lambert and crew. To his credit Lambert was willing to address the elephant in the room, acknowledging that he's stepped into some fairly large shoes while cheekily claiming them as his own. This might be true, but both his talent and good humor make him a good stand in for Mercury; it might not be authentic enough for some, but as a separate entity Queen + Adam Lambert more than stand on their own. Queen and Adam Lambert Where: Rogers Place When: Tuesday night
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Post by maya on Jul 14, 2017 23:49:24 GMT -5
St. PAUL, Minnesota - Xcel Energy Center (also known as "The X") Queen triumphs at St. Paul’s X with assist from Adam LambertBy ROSS RAIHALA | rraihala@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press
July 14, 2017 at 11:13 pm The late Freddie Mercury is one tough act to follow, and no one knows that better than Adam Lambert, the guy currently filling Mercury’s shoes in Queen. The “American Idol” vet admitted it himself during Queen + Adam Lambert’s sold-out concert Friday night at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center: “There are a couple of you out there who are, like, ‘Pffft. He’s no Freddie Mercury. Who’s this guy?’ “I know.” And yet, Lambert proved to be a fine foil for guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, and kept the crowd of more than 15,000 cheering with two hours of some of rock music’s most rousing and flamboyant anthems, opening with a tease of “We Will Rock You” and revisiting it in full during the encore with “We Are the Champions.” May and Taylor clearly wanted to continue playing Queen songs after Mercury’s death in 1991, and in the time since have recorded and performed live with a handful of replacement vocalists, including everyone from Luciano Pavarotti to Elton John. Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers even spent the latter half of the ’00s on the road with the duo. (Bassist John Deacon retired in 1997.) Lambert may well be the best match of them all. Friday night, he didn’t do a full-out Mercury impression, like Arnel Pineda does of Steve Perry in Journey. At times, he certainly sounded like Mercury, but Lambert brought his own flair to the songs. He also conjured up some of the campy, playful sexiness of Mercury, who showed up on film during several key moments of the show, including the end of a monstrous “Bohemian Rhapsody” that closed the main set. “Freddie Mercury is a god, and there will only be one Freddie,” the animated Lambert told the audience. “I’m a fan just like you guys, and I am so lucky and honored to be up here every night.” It sounded like Lambert meant it. He obviously enjoyed himself on stage and indulged in several costume changes, from tight black leather trousers to an embroidered purple suit jacket. “(Mercury) was a fashionista,” he said. “I’m doing my best to keep up. What do you think?” At the end of a terrific run through “Get Down, Make Love,” Lambert cooed: “Was it good for you? I got twins. Twin Cities tonight. Two’s better than one, right?” May took to the tip of the massive, guitar-shaped stage midway through the show, and gently crooned “Love of My Life” accompanied by acoustic guitar while urging the crowd to sing along. He also took his usual, overlong and indulgent guitar solo later in the set. Taylor was responsible for another dull moment when he sang lead on the dreary “I’m in Love with My Car.” Beyond that, though, it was an evening full of championship moments, with Lambert nailing several key Queen classics — “I Want It All,” “Killer Queen,” “Somebody to Love” — that Rodgers didn’t dare attempt when he played the X with Queen in March 2006. Once again, Adam Lambert is no Freddie Mercury, but Friday night he proved he’ll do.
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Post by maya on Jul 15, 2017 10:03:39 GMT -5
LAS VEGAS - T-Mobile Arena - June 24, 2017 www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/music/rock-greats-queen-hit-their-stride-with-adam-lambert/Rock greats Queen hit their stride with Adam LambertBy Jason Bracelin Las Vegas Review-Journal
June 25, 2017 - 4:03 pm With a voice as robust as the backsides he sang of earlier, the fellow in the bubblegum-colored suit addressed the pink elephant in the room: himself. “Some people bought tickets to the show tonight and you’re like, ‘He’s no Freddie Mercury,’ ” Adam Lambert grinned slyly in a packed T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, where he fronted rock greats Queen in place of said vocal titan. “I know. I’m a fan like you guys.” And with that, Lambert launched into his new single, a supple-sounding kiss-off: “I’m the center of a crowded room / I might as well be on the moon / Searching for that one or two / Who get it,” Lambert purred. “Imma get my inner peace / In leather,” he added later. Oh, there was an abundance of leather to come — and there were also plenty of people in the house who did, in fact, get it by now. Though Lambert referred to himself as a “guest” of the band at one point during Queen’s 25-song set, he’s been performing with the group since 2012, including an extensive U.S. tour in 2014, when Queen sold out two nights at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. And so it’s no longer about whether or not Lambert fits the band — he does, just as snugly as circulation-imperiling trousers. Now, the question is where Lambert can take Queen. This is crucial — even more so than it might be with other bands forced to replace an iconic frontman — because Queen is one of the most egalitarian rock acts of all time, the only group where every original member has penned at least one tune to hit the top of the charts. All four of them — singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon — have been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This is a band defined by multiple, prominent creative voices. As such, it takes more than a singer with a command of the band’s catalog to make this thing work — just look at Queen’s stint with former Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers a decade ago. Rodgers is a powerhouse frontman, one of the signature rock voices of his era, but he didn’t fully mesh with the band — perhaps it was his lack of sparkly platform boots or shirts adorned with glittery puckered lips, of which Lambert seemingly has a tour bus-full, judging by his numerous wardrobe changes Saturday. If there were any lingering uncertainties as to whether Lambert has fully inhabited his role as the voice of Queen, they were dispelled nine tunes into the show when he sashayed down the catwalk, which was shaped like the neck of a guitar, and climbed atop a pink bicycle strewn with roses to perform the sinuous, R&B-inflected “Bicycle Race,” luxuriating in the moment like a cat lounging in a patch of sunlight. This number was bookended by a pair of showstoppers: a locomotive “Don’t Stop Me Now,” which registered as a master class in vocal harmonies, and a libidinous “Get Down, Make Love,” where Lambert engaged in a sort vocal striptease, letting his words linger on his tongue as if savoring their taste. Queen’s current tour coincides with the 40th anniversary of the band’s sixth record, “News of the World,” an album that was released when Lambert was “negative 5” as he noted from the stage prior to kick-starting headlong rocker “It’s Late,” one of five tunes the band performed from the album in question. This would prove to be one of the evening’s most thunderous moments, right up there with a seismic “Stone Cold Crazy” and a drum battle between Taylor and percussionist Tyler Warren. Offering a break from all the bombast, May took a seat at the end of the catwalk for a beatific acoustic version of “Love of My Life” midway through the show. As the song approached its climax, he was joined by Mercury himself, who sang the tune’s final refrains from the massive, circular video screen hovering above the stage. Eventually, May and Mercury were presented side by side on the screen. Shortly thereafter, as the band segued into “Somebody to Love,” May found himself at the lip of the stage with Lambert. Shoulder to shoulder, the two strutted down the catwalk together, right next to each other, like we had just seen May and Mercury. It was a moment that encapsulated the spirit of the evening, a hint of the familiar blossoming into something new. Contact Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476. Follow @jasonbracelin on Twitter.Review Who: Queen + Adam Lambert When: Saturday Where: T-Mobile Arena Grade: A
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Post by maya on Jul 17, 2017 8:09:59 GMT -5
CHICAGO - United Center Arena - June 13, 2017
www.antimusic.com/reviews/17/Queen_+_Adam_Lambert_Live_In_Chicago.shtml
Queen + Adam Lambert Live In Chicago
by Anthony KuzminskiUnited Center- Chicago, IL on July 13, 2017 On July 13th, 1985 rock n' roll royalty took over Wembley Stadium in London, England for Live Aid. The charity event was watched by the world as nearly a hundred artists on both sides of the Atlantic performed in the name of poverty, specifically the Ethiopian famine. The show is one of the defining moments of the modern music era, but no act that day was more powerful, dominant or downright magnificent than Queen. Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Brian May and Roger Taylor dominated for the twenty-minutes they were onstage. The world was left in awe at Queen's mastery of the crowd and despite standout sets by Davie Bowie and U2, no one gripped the crowd with an iron fist like Queen. Thirty-two years to the day, Queen + Adam Lambert setup shop inside Chicago's United Center. Deacon retired many years ago and after a brief stint with Paul Rodgers a decade back, Queen has been touring with Adam Lambert, of American Idol fame. This incarnation of the band toured America for the first time in 2014 and they have returned to American shores for a blistering 2-hour show that covers their entire career showcasing their catalog in a different light. With a teasing "We Will Rock You" to open the show, the intense workout went into overdrive with "Hammer To Fall" delivering a powerful blow in a masterful display of a band reaching for the audiences jugular. The furious "Stone Cold Crazy" was an exercise for May shaking then more muscular side of the band. "Metallica" covered this song back in 1990 and chose it as the b-side to "Enter Sandman" which is easy to forget. Critics who dismissed Queen for their softer side obviously never acknowledged the fury within, notably their influence on hard rock and metal. Adam Lambert has always been a top-tier showman and he's truly the only artist to emerge from the last quarter century to not so much step into Freddie Mercury's shoes but embody his art. He acknowledged this early in the show, "There will only be for all of time...one Freddie Mercury". Lambert was surreal in 2014 and since then he has continue to grow by leaps and bounds. On "Another One Bites the Dust" Lambert strutted and seduced the 17,000 at the United Center. You could see Lambert in 2014 acclimating himself with the Queen catalog where he delicately attacked these songs. Make no mistake; his performance was entertaining but this time out, his confidence level shows. It doesn't feel like he's trying to replace Mercury as much as finding a way to ensure the audience embraces these songs and their history. With his high ruby red heels and red hair, Lambert delivered these two-dozen songs in the most fantastic and splashy manner possible, notably on "Killer Queen" where he rose from beneath the stage on top of a mechanical head from the News of the World album cover. "Don't Stop Me Now" and "Fat Bottomed Girls" featured incredible harmonies from the entire band alongside untouchable performances. Queen has always been a force to be reckoned with that the indivisible talents may have been overshadowed. They may have been the single most talented four-piece band ever. All four members wrote number-one singles; a feat the Beatles didn't even accomplish as a band. Several of the shows highlights were from songs not necessarily available on any Greatest Hits collection but they were every bit as viable. Drummer Roger Taylor have his pipes an exercise as he tore through "I'm in Love With My Car" amidst smoke and dizzying lights while May and Taylor challenge each other musically pushing the song to extremes and to a spectacular climax. "Get Down, Make Love" from the underrated News of the World album was aggressive and a welcomed addition to the set. The staging and imagery tapped into the bands sixth album News throughout the show. The current tour was set to focus on the album with the inclusion of "It's Late" and "Spread Your Wings", but they had been replaced after the first few shows. American music fans of Queen have always had a unique relationship with the band. I personally am guilty of not being as intimately aware of the catalog as a whole and what I've heard over the last few tours has peaked my interest and thanks I continue to dive into the entire Queen catalog. Their discography is so much more than compilations but a sprawling and magnetic body of work. One can only hope they continue to dive deeper into the catalog on future tours. The second half of the show took the audience into emotional overdrive. Brian May sang "Love My Life" on the second stage and the chilling sing-a-long from the crowd induced tear ducts to open for many. A video of Freddie Mercury who joined May and it was a show stopping. On "Somebody To Love", the band was stripped back before Taylor made his way to the walkway to a second drum kit before his pounded away on his drum skins. Lambert barely needed to song "Love" due to the crowd making it their own and letting their voices reach the heavens. Lambert took the Elvis vibe of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" to new heights followed by bassist Neil Fairclough making his way to the walkway and started "Under Pressure" with its incandescent riff. The ending harmonies by Taylor and Lambert were almost enough to make this grown man cry. "I Want To Break Free" was playful and potent but it was "Who Wants To Live Forever" that may have been the drop-to-your-knees performance of the night. Lambert stood front and center and embodied every lyric. From its subtle beginning to the wailing guitar, arguably May's finest in their catalog, left the audience in awe. "Forever" wasn't a song performed on American radio and to this day may be best known to many of a certain age for being played by Axl Rose on the Rockline radio program two days after Mercury's death. Lambert found a way to live within the song, express the underlying emotions and allow the arrangement to make the song into an emotional tour de force rarely seen at any show. The ending of the show with "Radio Gaga", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" reminded the audience these are songs that don't just stand the test of the time but still live on for most likely centuries and that's not hyperbole. My generation grew up without the ability to witness the grandeur of Queen in concert and the shows since 2014 are an opportunity to see something truly rhapsodic. Watching Roger Taylor and Brian May in concert transcends mere entertainment, because there are real emotional stakes in every note performed. There are a few brief videos of Freddie Mercury singing and playing with the audience reminding us of Mercury as a master performer who will rarely, if ever, be matched and yet these songs live on and have become even bigger in his absence. The intensity, believability and authenticity of Queen has never been sanded away by success. They have more to lose than gain by touring. Their legacy has grown over these last few tours with Lambert because it's not part of a co-headline tour or some summer festival, but an evening focused on this brilliant band and their music. These songs, these albums and these men have weathered beautifully amidst a world that at time has been far too cruel. This was a first-rate spectacle without being gratuitous. All the technical precision in the world can't make up for a performance lacking heart and empathy and Adam Lambert, Roger Taylor, Brian May, Spike Edney (keyboards), Neil Fairclough (bass) and Tyler Warren (percussion) filled every note with soul. There is incredible discipline to what Queen brings to the stage every night. This isn't about needing to reclaim their glory days, because the truth is they never went away. May and Taylor have to deliver these songs each night with a heavy heart and this is part of what makes the show work. The audience is able to tap into that loss and celebrate Mercury's life while simultaneously celebrating the here-and-now with every note sung. Some artists ground us and help us make better sense of our lives, but the music of Queen makes us realize its grand potentials. They don't merely whisk us past monuments of beauty they place us face-to-face with the potential of what we can accomplish. The iron fist from Live Aid has been replaced with heart, soul and sweet musical salvation. Anthony Kuzminski is a Chicago based writer and Special Features Editor for the antiMusic Network. His daily writings can be read at The Screen Door. He can be contacted at tonyk AT antiMusic DOT com and can be followed on Twitter Chicago setlist for 7/13/17 We Will Rock You Hammer to Fall Stone Cold Crazy Another One Bites the Dust Fat Bottomed Girls Killer Queen Two Fux 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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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 17, 2017 15:39:54 GMT -5
St, PAUL, Minnesota - Xcel Energy Center (also known as "The X")
www.citypages.com/music/queen-adam-lambert-reimagined-arena-rock-champions-dazzle-xcel/434924593Queen + Adam Lambert: Reimagined arena-rock champions dazzle Xcel
Monday, July 17, 2017 by Erik Thompson in Music.JPG?w=800) Queen’s music has a timeless quality and a global appeal. The indelible anthems of the London quartet are forever ingrained in popular culture, and have rocked stadiums filled with dedicated fans for decades. But with the death of frontman Freddie Mercury in 1991, Queen’s material was in jeopardy of being unfairly relegated to the dustbin of history, becoming a relic of a bygone era that never made a connection with young music fans in the digital age. But then along came Adam Lambert. The flamboyant 2009 American Idol runner-up joined up with Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor in 2011, eventually launching a highly successful Queen + Adam Lambert tour that has circled the world since 2014. They brought their highly entertaining spectacle of sight and sound to Minnesota for the very first time on Friday night in St. Paul, playing to a sold-out Xcel Energy Center crowd of more than 15,000 passionate Queen fans spanning multiple generations. Over the course of the exhilarating two-hour performance, Lambert helped breathe new life -- and plenty of mischievous camp -- into songs that will always belong to Freddie, of course. But those impassioned arena-rock numbers are once again ringing out to the rafters in celebration of Mercury’s inspirational life, while at the same time giving fans a chance to pay their respects to the inimitable talents of May and Taylor. The rock veterans repeatedly showed that the music of Queen is keeping them young and spirited, despite Taylor joking, “I’m too old for this shit” while toweling off after a drum solo. The performance -- a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Queen’s smash hit record, News of the World -- did take a few songs to find a spark, however. Tepid versions of “Stone Cold Crazy” and “Another One Bites the Dust” followed a set-starting tease of “We Will Rock You,” with Lambert’s vocals initially overwhelming May’s muted guitar riffs. But a rousing version of “Fat Bottomed Girls” ignited the performance, and the rest of the set struck a joyous balance between rekindling the spirit of the songs for the modern age while paying a reverential nod to the towering legacy of the band’s former frontman. “I know what you’re thinking,” Lambert admitted early in the show. “He’s no Freddie Mercury. Who’s this guy? I know. Freddie is a god and there will be only one. I’m a fan just like you guys. I’m so blessed to be singing these songs and keeping them in a live space.” Throughout the set, Lambert added his own distinctive vocal flourishes to the material and never tried to duplicate the range or mimic the cheeky charisma of Mercury. Lambert has worked hard to make these songs his own, and throughout the show he came across as more of an exuberant innovator rather than a mere imposter. He is kicking these songs into the 21st century with his pointy, platform-heeled boots. Lambert was repeatedly deferential to May and Taylor, allowing the two rock titans plenty of moments to shine on their own, as well as thanking them personally for the incredible opportunity they offered him -- a moment that was met by a thunderous ovation from the crowd. Mercury would have flourished within the decidedly modern stage set, animations, and state-of-the-art accoutrements, and Lambert took full advantage of his surroundings. He mounted the head of the Frank Freas-designed robot from the News of the World cover during a perky “Killer Queen,” and rode a bike with a basket filled with flowers during “Bicycle Race.” He also changed outfits seven times during the show, going from a George Michael-like black leather getup to a bright pink suit that complemented his flame red hair, before donning a sparkling silver crown and matching glittery muscle shirt for the encore. “Freddie was a fashionista," he quipped. "I’m doing my best to keep up.” May justifiably took the spotlight himself on many occasions, affectionately thanking the crowd “for allowing us to be here and be heroes one more time.” He played a lovely solo acoustic version of “Love of My Life,” which he warmly introduced as “a Freddie song.” The large screen even featured a moving image of Mercury waving and walking away as May brought the song to a stirring close. May, Taylor, and Lambert formed a tight trio at the end of the long guitar-neck shaped stage extension, rolling through a swaggering version of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and a buoyant take on “Under Pressure,” which Taylor dedicated to David Bowie. That tender moment exemplified that even though Mercury and Bowie have sadly left us, their music, style, and personality will certainly live on forever, and that we should honor our idols while we have the chance. That explains the full house waiting to do just that on Friday for May and Taylor. So many of Queen’s songs stand as endearing testaments to love and the restorative power of finding someone to share your heart with. The performance in St. Paul provided a healing, optimistic musical balm that made us all forget the ills of the world for a brief moment and blissfully sing along to these euphoric anthems. After a soaring rendition of the ‘80s power ballad “Who Wants to Live Forever,” replete with rainbow-colored lasers carrying clouds of smoke to all corners of the arena, May was elevated high above the stage for an ostentatious guitar solo against a backdrop filled with spacey images of the universe. Basically everything you want from a stone-cold rock god and then some. The main set ended with a triumphant run through of “Radio Ga Ga,” complete with a return from the robot to instruct the younger members of the crowd when to clap along. A blazing version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” followed, augmented by the music video during the operatic-middle section before May emerged out of a smoke cloud from the stage floor to tear into his famous guitar solo. He looked like a mystical, guitar-wielding wizard wearing a liquid silver cape -- because of course he was. It was rock ‘n’ roll to the millionth degree. Most bands would kill to have either of Queen’s potent encore tracks in their musical arsenal. But Queen released them both on the same damn single in 1977. “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” have been played ad nauseam at sports arenas ever since, but live they take on a decidedly more raucous, resilient edge. May’s guitar riffs were scorching, while Taylor’s thunderous drumbeats echoed off the walls. It was everything you look for in a rock show: the bombast, the attitude, the exultation, the release. Even though the most significant member of Queen is no longer leading the way, their music still lives on in the hearts of their fans. And Brian May, Roger Taylor, and the effervescent Adam Lambert have made sure that Queen’s rapturous anthems still have the power to rock a crowd, while reminding us just how many gifts Freddie Mercury left behind to remember him by. Click here to see photos of Queen at Xcel Setlist: We Will Rock You (tease) Hammer To Fall Stone Cold Crazy Another One Bites The Dust Fat Bottomed Girls Killer Queen Two Fux (Adam Lambert song) 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 Solo 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 God Save the Queen
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Post by maya on Jul 17, 2017 22:04:39 GMT -5
MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada - Centre Bell/Bell Center - July 17, 2017
 Queen + Adam Lambert: coulé dans le rock (It was at an undeniably rock party)www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/07/17/queen--adam-lambert-coule-dans-le-rockYAN LAUZON
Lundi, 17 juillet 2017 22:04
MISE à JOUR Lundi, 17 juillet 2017 22:11
(In French)Le rock, Queen connaît. Et la légendaire formation l'a une fois de plus prouvé bruyamment, lundi soir, au Centre Bell, au son de la guitare de Brian May et de la batterie de Roger Taylor (qui auront bientôt 70 ans!).
Soutenu par Adam Lambert avec succès depuis maintenant près de cinq ans, le groupe a revisité son populaire catalogue. Par contre, nuages de fumée et jeux de lumière fades ont quelques fois déposé un peu de poussière sur cette imposante offrande rock. Première communionComme il fallait s'en douter, Brian May a ardemment fait vibrer sa guitare dès les premières notes du concert qui s'est amorcé avec une courte «We Will Rock You» en amuse-gueule. Il a fallu attendre une quinzaine de minutes avant que le groupe mené par un Adam Lambert très énergique et en voix parvienne véritablement à porter ses quelque 12 000 admirateurs. C'est la pièce «Fat Bottomed Girls» qui a d'abord généré les grands élans, dès la fin de «Another One Bites The Dust» qui a réussi à délier la langue de plusieurs. Le show Adam LambertMais le show (physique), ce fut en grande partie celui d'Adam Lambert. Cheveux rouges, habillé de cuir et affublé de grosses lunettes carrées noires, il a amorcé sa prestation avec une aisance déconcertante. Très en voix, il a immédiatement partagé son plaisir à un public qui ne demandait qu'à l'appuyer. N'ayant pas peur des comparaisons et des couleurs flamboyantes, l'ancien finaliste d'«American Idol» a rapidement vanté le talent de son prédécesseur. «À jamais, il n'y aura qu'un seul Freddie», a-t-il lancé à la foule, soulevant les passions. Il s'est ensuite permis une petite balade à vélo le temps de quelques lignes de «Bicycle Race» sur le prolongement – en forme de manche de guitare électrique – de la scène. Mentions spéciales à ses prouesses vocales sur les dernières notes de «Get Down (With My Love)» et les petites libertés qu'il s'est permises à la fin de «I Want It All». Seul bémol: quoique entraînante et proposant une certaine familiarité avec Queen, sa nouvelle chanson «Two Fux» a soulevé un faible enthousiasme. En l'honneur de FreddiePour Brian May aussi, il était évidemment impossible de ne pas mentionner l'impact de Freddie Mercury sur sa formation formée au début des années 1970. Moins d'une heure après être monté sur scène, le guitariste s'est avancé, seul, afin de dédier la pièce acoustique «Love Of My Life» au regretté chanteur. C'est à une soirée indéniablement rock qu'avait convié Queen à ses convives. Et le banquet était bien garni. Après 80 minutes et la moitié du programme prévu, Queen n'avait toutefois pas encore fait appel à ses immenses valeurs sûres «Bohemian Rhapsody», «We Are The Champions» et «We Will Rock You» (en version intégrale). Mais cela ne l'avait pas empêché de livrer une musique de haute qualité.
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Post by cassie on Jul 18, 2017 0:34:05 GMT -5
If you stayed away from seeing this tour, because in your mind no one can replace Mercury, I implore you to reconsider. Queen has once again done the remarkable – take songs that are 30 and 40 years old, and make them sound as current as ever, thanks a modern day vocal genius up front. Read More: Queen Breathes New Life in Some of Rock's Biggest Classics | b1027.com/queen-adam-lambert-breathe-new-life-in-some-of-rocks-most-classic-songs/?trackback=twitter_top&trackback=tsmclipOn the very same week that 32 years earlier, Queen turned in an unforgettable performance at Live Aid, the band moved into the Twin Cities on its 2017 world tour, with a different dynamic lead singer out front, delivering yet another memorable night of one of rock’s most dynamic song catalogs. One thing is certain; Queen will never be the same band after the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991, and the retirement of bassist John Deacon in 1997. But since 2011, they’ve found a singer with the vocal talent and stage presence who doesn’t replace Mercury, but is the closest thing to duplicating the same qualities Mercury embodied during his 20 years fronting one of the most innovative and successful groups in music history. Adam Lambert first rose to prominence in the United States in 2009, during Season Nine of American Idol. Knowing what we know now, is it any surprise that one of the songs he chose to audition for the show was Queen’s iconic 1975 song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’? Throughout the season, Lambert set himself apart from the other competitors, both in the way he sounded, with an unbelievable vocal range, and in the way he looked, edgy, modern, and just a bit dangerous. Lambert eventually lost to Kris Allen in Idol’s finale that year, but you just knew, like Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry before him, he was going to make it big, despite not winning the show. But unlike Journey, who plucked Arnel Pineda out of relative obscurity to replace Steve Perry, Lambert was already an established star when his path crossed with Queen six years ago. By that time, Lambert had already released a Top Ten album, For Your Entertainment, and had also put two songs on the Top 40 chart, including ‘Whataya Want From Me’, which hit #10, earning him a Grammy nomination in 2011. Over the years, Lambert’s collaborations with Queen have continued to grow. First with a one-off show at MTV Europe Music Awards in 2011, then for a six-date run in 2012, followed by a full-blown world tour of more than 60 dates in 2014 and 2015. Now in 2017, Lambert is back fronting the group, which features original guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. The 12th stop on the tour was Friday (July 14) at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Subscribe to KYBB-FM / B102.7 on From the very beginning it was obvious that Lambert, May, and Taylor were going to share the stage with one of the most iconic characters from Queen’s past – the robot from the cover of their 1977 album News of the World. The giant creature, a creation of American sci-fi artist Frank Kelly Freas, was the first image the crowd laid eyes on that night, as it was splashed across the high definition video board that served as a curtain in front of the stage before the concert began. It was a special moment for longtime fans of the band. I can vividly remember being 14 when the album was released, and cranking up the volume on ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Sheer Heart Attack’, and ‘It’s Late’, for hours on end. The image of the robot also adorned the front of Taylor’s drum kit throughout the show. Subscribe to KYBB-FM / B102.7 on It made another appearance later in the evening, when its head, complete with video eyeballs, emerged from the stage with Lambert perched on top, belting out ‘Killer Queen’. The stage magic didn’t end there. Lambert later rode a bike around the stage while singing the classic ‘Bicycle Race’. It was that kind of night. A near complete rundown of the band’s biggest hits (minus ‘Tie Your Mother Down’, ‘You’re My Best Friend’, and ‘Play the Game’), plus a few very poignant moments when the unmistakable vocals of Freddie Mercury came to life on the big screen, with the sing-a longs he would routinely run audiences through, and a duet of sorts with Lambert on the closing lines of ‘We Are The Champions’ to end the show. Along the way, the setlist included a couple of deeper cuts, including ‘Get Down, Make Love’ from News of the World in 1977, and Roger Taylor’s ‘I’m In Love With My Car’ from A Night at the Opera in 1975. Lambert even worked in one of his new songs, ‘Two Fux’, which he introduced as a response to the haters who say he has no place singing Queen’s music. He reminded the crowd that he, like the rest of us, is a huge fan of the band and is so appreciative of the opportunity to keep Queen’s music alive, in a concert setting, for fans, old and new, to enjoy. If you stayed away from seeing this tour, because in your mind no one can replace Mercury, I implore you to reconsider. Queen has once again done the remarkable – take songs that are 30 and 40 years old, and make them sound as current as ever, thanks a modern day vocal genius up front. St. Paul Setlist: ‘We Will Rock You’ (intro) ‘Hammer to Fall’ ‘Stone Cold Crazy’ ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ ‘Killer Queen’ ‘Two Fux’ (Adam Lambert song) ‘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’ ‘Under Pressure’ ‘I Want to Break Free’ ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ ‘Radio Gaga’ ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Encore: ‘We Will Rock You’ |
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 18, 2017 17:30:39 GMT -5
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Quicken Loans Arena (the Q) - July 21, 2017
 star102cleveland.cbslocal.com/2017/07/18/the-story-behind-queen-adam-lambert/The Story Behind Queen + Adam LambertJuly 18, 2017 4:35 PM LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Adam Lambert performs with Queen at 02 Arena on January 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)When you think of classic rock royalty, you think Queen. When you think of Freddie Mercury, you try to think of a word stronger than “royalty.” When it comes down to picturing someone standing on stage to rock with Brian May and Roger Taylor, we can almost guarantee that your mind didn’t go straight to an American Idol finalist. Well, at least not until the last decade when the newly-formed band began sporadic performances around the globe. After a European tour, a world tour and some festivals, the gang has been showing us that they still rock. The story about how Lambert came to be Queen’s newest addition is an exciting one. Most importantly, he understands that he’s not a replacement for the late Mercury; he’s keeping the great legacy alive. “I’m not Freddie,” Lambert told The Telegraph. “I’m not trying to be Freddie, or compete with Freddie. But I do feel some kinship and I’m seizing this opportunity to try and make his music come to life again.” It all started in 2009 when Lambert was a finalist on American Idol, alongside Kris Allen. May and Taylor guest starred on the weekly talent search and performed their hit “We Are The Champions” with the two contestants. We later found out that current band-mates had been somewhat eyeing Lambert from the beginning of that Idol season. This was after the Paul Rodgers era, around the time that May and Taylor were on the fence about the band’s future. Lo and behold, a young, flamboyant singer fatefully took to the Idol auditions with a stellar cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the rest was almost history. You can hear more in an exclusive interview during this VIDEO from Live Nation. Fast forward a few years to the MTV Europe Awards where Queen received a Global Icon Award and had their first performance as a group with Lambert. It barely took a month for conversations to begin about something more permanent. Since then the group has performed on late night television, shows like the X Factor and in front of sold-out stadiums and arena. They’re currently on a concert tour through North America and are stopping in Cleveland July 21st. You can still buy tickets here so you don’t miss your chance to see history being made at The Q. In regard to what Lambert can do, let’s just say it’s nothing short of amazing. “Adam is a phenomenon,” May told The Telegraph. “We weren’t looking for another singer but Adam is kind of a gift from God. He has a technical ability beyond 99.9% of singers in the world. You see that and can’t help but think, ‘I wonder what would happen if we opened that box again?’” Taylor also has quite the opinion. “My nickname for him is Camp Elvis,” he, too, told The Telegraph. “His presence and charisma reminds me of Presley in so many ways, the look, the showmanship, the overtly sexual attitude. He is absolutely scintillating on stage, a voice in a million, and the same was true of Freddie. There are almost frightening similarities, especially socially, as an overtly gay man full of wit and banter. There are moments backstage when it seems like nothing has changed at all.” The setlists for previous shows on the current tour include songs ranging from “I Want To Break Free” to “I’m In Love With My Car.” Fans love the hits and it’s no secret that the hard-core fans will want to rock to even the deepest of cuts. You can get a sneak-peek at their setlist here. “I’ve always been honored and understanding of the weight and legacy of the band,” Lambert told Rolling Stone. “In the beginning, I was pretty intimidated by that. I tried not to let it show. Can I handle all this? Am I going to be able to do it justice? Is the audience going to accept me? Is the band going to accept me? Am I going to be a pain in the ass? I’ve learned to finesse it a little bit more.” Lambert is also debuting one of his own new singles, “Two Fux,” during the tour. As an active member of the LGBTQ community, he wanted this hit to empower and inspire — May and Taylor were totally on board. “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,” Lambert told Esquire. “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.” We’re so excited to experience the magic that is Queen + Adam Lambert on Friday and can’t wait to hear how much you enjoyed the show.
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 19, 2017 10:01:27 GMT -5
TORONTO, Ontario,Canada - Air Canada Centre - July 18, 2017 REVIEW
www.torontosun.com/2017/07/19/queen-and-adam-lambert-rock-toronto-crowdQueen and Adam Lambert rock Toronto crowd
BY JANE STEVENSON, TORONTO SUN
FIRST POSTED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017 07:34 AM EDT | UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017 07:47 AM EDT TORONTO - Well, they promised to rock us and Queen + Adam Lambert delivered. And then some. Their Air Canada Centre show on Tuesday night in front of a packed crowd began with a teaser of the Queen classic We Will Rock You, which would be revisited in its entirety almost two hours later during their encore punctuated by an explosion of yellow confetti, all of the key band members wearing crowns and a recording of God Save The Queen. In between, the veteran British rockers - guitarist Brian May, who turned 70 on Wednesday so the crowd sang Happy Birthday to him a night early, and drummer Roger Taylor, 67 - and their much younger singer Adam Lambert, 35, of American Idol fame, had a lot of fun during a fast-paced and slick show that had steam blasts and laser lights but was also big on emotion. The main source of joy, other than hearing one Queen classic after the other stacked with May’s signature solos and Taylor’s muscular drumming, was the soaring-voiced, loose-limbed Lambert, who had more costume changes than Cher, and never met a piece of leather or sequin he didn't like. “Is this the gayest suit you’ve ever seen?” he asked when he had changed out of initial black leather duds into a jewel encrusted three-piece pink suit and sequined heels for Killer Queen, which saw him rise out of the stage on top of a giant head. Lambert, who has been touring with Queen since 2012, also wisely addressed what he called “the pink elephant in the room” - the fact that it was him singing and not the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury, the latter who appeared throughout the show in video performances prompting a big reaction. “I know, I know, you think, ‘He’s no Freddie Mercury.' Well, there’s only one Freddie Mercury. I get to play on stage with my heroes.” The first big highlight of the night was Fat Bottomed Girls, which encouraged a major crowd sing-along as the band played on a stage dominated by a circular video screen above and a long catwalk in the shape of an electric guitar onto which May and Lambert ventured out early and often. Lambert’s own new song, Two Fux, was poppier than Queen’s harder-rock sound but its fun spirit dovetailed nicely with the euphoric mood. And for Bicycle Race, Lambert climbed on a bright pink bicycle and raced along the catwalk before Taylor took over on vocals for I’m In Love With My Car behind his drum kit. May strapped on an acoustic guitar and made his way to the front of the catwalk to perform Love of My Life while everyone’s cellphone lit up, which was when Mercury made his first video performance right at the end of the song producing the concert's big goosebumps moment. “This is an amazing reception,” said May. “It’s just great to be back in your beautiful city.” Other memorable songs included I Want It All, Somebody To Love, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, I Want To Be Free, Radio Ga Ga, Bohemian Rhapsody, and the encore one-two punch of We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions. Taylor also engaged in an impressive drum battle at the front of the catwalk with percussionist Tyler Warren at the back of the stage on the drum riser. (The other two touring members are keyboardist Spike Edney and bassist Neil Fairclough.) And when Taylor dedicated Under Pressure to David Bowie, followed by Lambert’s near-operatic vocals on the solemn Who Wants To Live Forever, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It was emotional but heartfelt and never too heavy - just the right mix of light and love for those dearly missed. SET LIST We Will Rock You (teaser) Hammer to Fall Stone Cold Crazy Another One Bites the Dust Fat Bottomed Girls Killer Queen Two Fux 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 God Save the Queen extro
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 22, 2017 15:50:53 GMT -5
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Quicken Loans Arena (the Q) - July 21, 2017
 www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2017/07/22/adam-lambert-brings-a-contemporary-sound-to-the-queen-concert-at-the-qAdam Lambert Brings a Contemporary Sound to the Queen Concert at the Q
Posted By Annie Zaleski on Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 1:22 pm
 Queen + Adam Lambert made their Cleveland debut last night at a packed Quicken Loans Arena. They did not disappoint the diverse audience comprised of parents with their teenagers and long-time Queen fans. And plenty of Glamberts were there to support the former American Idol contestant too. You can see a slideshow of photos from the show here. Seeing Queen's songs live, performed on a giant stage, underscored why the band continues to resonate with younger generations. "Fat Bottomed Girls" turned into stomping monster of a dance number, thanks to thick, roping rhythmic grooves; "Stone Cold Crazy" was an upbeat, punkish strut; and the soaring, classical-glam epic "Don't Stop Me Now" illustrated why Queen's music was adopted so easily for musical theater. "Bohemian Rhapsody" was predictably epic—not the least because guitarist Brian May made a grand entrance, rising from underneath the stage on a platform while wearing a silver cape—and drummer Roger Taylor even got into the vocal fun by singing lead on "I'm In Love With My Car," which exuded proggy, Pink Floyd vibes. Yet Queen's meticulous attention to detail wasn't lost despite the arena's vast size. The band's trademark stacked harmonies elevated the muscular yearning of highlight "I Want It All" and the theatrical standout "Killer Queen." For "Somebody To Love," Lambert, May and Taylor performed together on a small stage at the end of a lengthy catwalk, as if they were a band jamming and woodshedding in a small rehearsal space. And the sleek synths augmenting "Radio Ga Ga" made the song feel like a thoroughly modern pop song, not a tune that's over 30 years old. That contemporary sound was of course aided by Lambert, who more than held his own while filling the frontman role once held by the late Freddie Mercury. (Initially, he also bore a striking resemblance to George Michael, thanks to the sunglasses and vest he paired with rugged facial hair and spiky-fluffed, dyed-red hair.) He has more musical theater and Broadway in his voice than Mercury did, but he packs similar vocal power and the ability to capture different moods. On the early rock 'n' roll homage "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," he assumed Elvis Presley-ish hip swivels and low warble. "Get Down Make Love" was a steamy seduction, and a thundering version of "Another One Bites the Dust" also had a bawdy tone, courtesy of Lambert crotch thrusts and seductive stage moves. Even more resonant was "I Want To Break Free," which was suffused with longing, and the somber and the operatic-leaning approach he took on "Who Wants To Live Forever." Lambert even slipped in a performance his new solo single, the classical-pop waltz "Two Fux," with the band; and because the song had a distinctively Queen vibe, it fit in seamlessly. After "Killer Queen," Lambert addressed the crowd and lauded original Queen members Taylor and May by name. "You're standing in front of rock 'n' roll legends, ladies and gentlemen," he said, and pausing so they could soak up applause. Calling it an "honor" and "so surreal" to be performing with Queen, he also referenced any skeptics who may say that he's not Mercury. "No shit!" he exclaimed in a no-duh voice. "There will only be one Freddie Mercury. He is a rock God." Lambert also added that he's a "fan, except I'm up here wearing the gayest suit you've ever seen." (Cue a full-body camera pan to his bright pink suit covered in sparkly appliques.) All joking aside, Lambert zeroed in on why he and the band work so well together: He has enormous respect for Mercury, and isn't trying to replace or replicate him—but instead pay tribute to his flamboyance, charisma and inimitable vocal talent. However, he and the band have fantastic chemistry and, like Mercury, Lambert is up for anything, prop-wise. He sang "Killer Queen" while straddling a statue of the head of the robot from the News Of The World album cover, and gamely sang while riding a bicycle toting a gigantic basket of flowers during "Bicycle Race." (May too had fun onstage, and at one point used a "stereoscopic selfie stick" to pan around the crowd and film the cheering masses.) Queen's stage setup was also impressive, especially due to a massive, curved LED screen that rose up and down as onstage production dictated. The iconic News of the World robot factored into animation seen throughout the show: At the concert's start, the mechanized menace appeared on the screen, which was lowered at the time, and crashed through an animated brick wall to announce the band's arrival. Later, an animated version of its gnarled metal hand appeared onscreen and "lifted" May as he performed a winding, evocative and extended guitar solo while suspended high above the crowd in the air. But while it was thrilling to see May let loose—especially since his space-prog heroics touched on "Last Horizon," a 1993 solo cut, and his frequent boyish grins revealed he was reveling in the show—Queen didn't need bells and whistles to establish its dominance. And when they did dabble in cutting-edge effects, these elements were well-placed—and used to subtly and tastefully incorporate Mercury into the show. Brief footage of him doing "Day-O" at Wembley Stadium served as an interlude before "Radio Ga Ga." For "Bohemian Rhapsody," the band weaved live performances with parts of the studio version and clips from the song's groundbreaking video, a move that made sense especially during the elaborate, iconic bridge. In a classy touch, the performance ended with audio and video footage of Mercury playing the song at the piano, and Lambert adding the occasional line—making it seem, briefly, as if they were trading off singing. Perhaps the most touching mention of Mercury's presence came during the night's quietest moment. May settled in at the end of the catwalk with an acoustic guitar and performed an elegiac, poignant take on "Love of My Life." During the performance, footage of Mercury singing the song appeared to his right on the projection screen, a sudden and striking moment that was quite moving. As the song concluded—and the video Mercury walked off into darkness—May had a faraway, almost wistful look on his face. It was clear that the guitarist found it emotional to be playing with Mercury again, even virtually. But Mercury's memory and legacy were certainly in good hands last night. By the time Queen closed out the show with the encore of "We Will Rock You" and "We are the Champions," everyone in the building was united in remembering his triumphant life—and formidable talent.
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