NZ HERALD
Review: Queen + Adam Lambert bring the magic to Mt Smart Stadium
In an interview a decade ago,
Brian May explained why he couldn't let go of Queen.
He had wrestled with the idea, and tried various solo projects, following the passing of Freddie Mercury and the subsequent retirement of bassist John Deacon.
He tried "running away" for a long time, but decided it was futile.
"Why should I fight the very thing I'd worked so hard to build up for all those years?" reasoned May. "Why can't I just be proud of it?"
Why not, indeed.
After a spectacular performance on Friday night in Auckland, more than 40,000 fans would be nodding in agreement at May's sentiments.
Though some have mixed feelings about the post-Mercury era, Queen and Adam Lambert brought the magic to Mt Smart on a perfect summer night.
It was large, bombastic and fantastic. They rocked, they rolled and they reigned.
The vast majority of the audience wouldn't have seen the original lineup, who only toured New Zealand once, in 1985.
But if you closed your eyes for a moment on Friday, it wasn't that hard to imagine Queen in their pomp, at Knebworth Castle, Budapest, Wembley, or Rio.
May's signature riffs were as thrilling as ever, Roger Taylor has lost none of his power or touch and Lambert was doing a remarkable job of respecting Mercury's legacy while also showing his own mastery of Queen's extensive back catalogue.
Mercury could never be replaced, with his unique stage presence and legendary vocal range, and Lambert made it clear early on he wasn't trying to.
"Let's address the pink elephant in the stadium," said Lambert, after a stirring rendition of Killer Queen. "I'm a fan just like you. There will only be one Freddie Mercury...the rock god."
He asked the crowd to "give him a chance", before launching into Don't Stop Me Now, one of the highlights as they expertly built to a crescendo.
Queen were always known for their strong production values, impeccable musicianship, sense of fun and theatrics. Those core values haven't changed, with brilliant use of visuals and lighting and a performance that was perfectly paced.
It was a powerful start, with May's silhouette high above the stage, as he hammered out an extended intro to Now I'm Here. Lambert then sprung into action, bouncing around the stage in his platform heels, while Taylor lashed into the drums. Queen were back, and what an entrance, in front of a spectacular baroque set.
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