15th September 2015
QueenOnline on Tour: Notes From The Road South America Part 4
OK, so now you know that the band are here and production rehearsals are taking place - hell, someone from inside the arena has even been 'unofficially' posting photos of the stage (we know who you are by the way) and I sure some of you will want me to reveal the set list and what went down during Monday's run through, right? Well, I will meet you halfway...
But before all that, taking up from yesterday's blog and the arrival of the band and few more "Hellos". With the Production office situated at the top of the corridor (in this venue anyway), it is the first stop for anyone making their way backstage to offices and dressing rooms, it's almost like going through passport control before you can proceed and then often turns into the 'kitchen' at parties where everyone ends up hanging out.
I chatted briefly with Rufus about his 'other job' in The Darkness and the fun his having, discussed the Queen Extravaganza's UK Tour of 'A Night At The Opera' with Tour Director Juliette and managed 5 minutes with Queen manager Jim Beach, discussing the success of our Freddie Mercury Birthday Party in Montreux 10 days ago and our plans for next year.
I have only seen RT and BM from the stage at this point, I gave them both an acknowledged salute and nod respectfully from side of the stage yesterday - plenty of time for all that of course, we are getting towards the business end and the opening show. I saw Adam arrive in his vehicle from afar and then prowling the stage later on that evening.
So with all that pre-amble above out the way, here is what you might want to hear...my "deliberately, non committal, generic, keep me out of trouble, non spoiler notes of Production Rehearsals - Day 1"
- There was lots of stopping and restarting
- There was a little funky jamming on one particular song that is normally quite a straight-ahead rocker
- The new B-stage was tested
- Adam was quite a cool knack for casually ad libbing over any spontaneous jams that the band drop between song run throughs- The dry ice machine works...as in, really works. We nearly needed fog lamps at one point.
- Brian stayed back on his own continued to play on the main stage. It wasn’t his solo I don’t think. Maybe he was just having some fun to be honest, that's what its all about in the end right?Neil bounced around the backstage afterwards and proceeded to tell me a very long-winded drummer / bass player joke - I won't repeat it - it wasn't his finest and I told him so. I did chuckle a bit when he was out of sight though. Don't tell him.
Today, will be more of the same, but a complete run through and a clipping out all the snags from yesterday. Stage clothes will also be included – you know this because Poppy from wardrobe has become the most demanding person on the crew and is forever barking clothing orders through our door…
“Pants!”
“Coat hangers!”
“I need a Sharpie!”
“Can we get this dry cleaned?!”
I told the Production Office was a social hub; I just bumped into the guitarist from Queen and had a lovely little chat. What a nice man.
Right I'm off for a late lunch.
Drums are being thumped, sounds like we are getting going. The next time you hear from me may well be after the opening show, but fear not I will be adding more pictures via instagram and across twiiter and facebook, plus of course, blasting up the set list post-show.
Have a great one Sao Paulo; see you on the other side, I've got some 'A Night At The Odeon' work to do, I have the artwork in front me and everything...
Adeus!
Oh to be a fly on that wall 
