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Queen + Adam Lambert are champions onstage in Los Angeles

As part of their Rhapsody tour, Queen + Adam Lambert delivered a spectacular show on November 11th, the first of two sold out, shows at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

QUEEN

BMO Stadium

Los Angeles, CA

November 11, 2023

By Ken Sharp

As part of their Rhapsody tour, Queen + Adam Lambert delivered a spectacular show on November 11th, the first of two sold out, shows at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. In recent years, given the worldwide success of the Bohemian Rhapsody bio pic, Queen’s popularity in the States (and elsewhere) is at an all time high and certainly if any rock band is ripe for the spectacle and pomp and circumstance of a large outdoor stadium show it’s undeniably Queen.

Opening with the techno-driven “Machines (Or Back To Humans)” from 1984’s The Works album and recently released as a new single, with the vocals of Freddie Mercury heard in the first verse, the theme of the conflict with humans vs. machines is timely and further explored throughout the show. The set list was a winner navigating all facets of Queen’s multi decade career. Whether it’s the rallying cry of “We Will Rock You,” the anthemic sing-along of “Radio Ga Ga” to the fist waving splendor of “We Are the Champions,” any other rock and roll band would kill to be blessed with one such standards in their arsenal, but with Queen their timeless canon of songs (all of which were played in the LA show) is robust and enduring.




Visually, the show served as the perfect complement to the powerful musical performances. The colossal stage set came replete with several large video screens, which punctuated the action with a myriad of colorful and eye popping visuals. In particular, the splendid use of different kind of lasers throughout the show was strikingly inventive and compelling.




For this writer it was a special treat to witness Brian May in action. He remains one of rock music’s most unique and enchanting guitar players. No one sounds or plays like him. With his classic handmade red Special guitar in hand, his six-string stylings are orchestral in scope, lending a mighty melodic power and finesse to such songs as “Killer Queen," “Bicycle Race” and “Don’t Stop Me Now.” May's two-song solo acoustic set, "Love Of My Life" (its last verse featuring Freddie Mercury singing the song on the large screen) and a jaunty version of A Night At The Opera's "39" were mid show highlights. And just as Brian May sets himself apart from all other guitar players, founding member Roger Taylor’s drumming is uniquely his own creative voice as well. With a style akin to a more controlled Keith Moon, he adds inventive percussive touches that deeply enhance each song with fills and flourishes that drive the music. He’s also a gifted singer, his powerful reading of “I’m In Love With My Car” and co-lead vocals on "Under Pressure" showed off his gritty vocal chops. Meanwhile, stage ring leader Adam Lambert has steadily grown into his role as lead vocalist for the current lineup of Queen, lending tribute to the genius vocal magic of Freddie Mercury but most importantly infusing the songs with his own naughty sense of style, attitude and sass. His voice soared on “We Are the Champions,” locked into a pulsing groove with “Another One Bites the Dust,” got down and dirty on “Fat Bottomed Girls” and “I Want It All” and lent a deep gospel fervor to “Somebody to Love.”


More.. www.goldminemag.com/reviews/queen-adam-lambert-are-champions-onstage-in-los-angeles