Freddy Mercury needs no explanation or introduction.
We all know he’s one of the greatest frontmen to ever grace the stage in front of a rock band. If you love music and you haven’t watch Queen’s famous Live Aid concert in 1985 I don’t really know what to say to you…other than watch it RIGHT NOW! It can’t be any easier for you, I’ve attached the video here!
So imagine this…Brian May and Roger Taylor tap you on the shoulder and say…’hey Adam we need a singer, want to step in the shoes of Freddy?’
For most singers it would be impossibly daunting. There’s fronting a rock band and then there’s fronting QUEEN. Go back and watch the Live Aid concert again…most people couldn’t even fathom attempting to take on that burden.
But most people aren’t Adam Lambert.
In 1980 Brian Johnson managed to fill the void left by Bon Scott after the AC/DC singer’s untimely passing. That was 40 years ago. In that time no band has successfully replaced a singer of that magnitude in similar circumstances. INXS tried and we saw how that went. When a singer is so charismatic and the songs so well loved, it’s just near impossible to replace. Hell it took QUEEN 20 plus years.
But after eight years at the helm of Queen, Adam Lambert has managed to not only fill Freddy’s void, but make that role his own. Lambert is now QUEEN’s frontman and he somehow finds an amazing balance of ownership and tribute to the band’s origins that most people would of thought impossible.
And the QUEEN spectacle is still amazing.
The presence of the band, the stage and light show and of course the music is mesmerising. Sure Brian May and Roger Taylor are getting a little long in the tooth, but they still command the stage with the energy and presence they would of possessed in the 80’s. They’re obviously still passionate about playing to stadium crowds and Lambert has clearly given the band a new lease on life.
It may have been tumbling down rain at AAMI Park, but neither band or crowd cared. Everyone was there to rock – and although the crowd left wet – they didn’t leave disappointed. QUEEN delivered a set full of hits and sing alongs. Lambert’s voice was outstanding and the May/Taylor chemistry was there for all to see.
Highlights from the night included Brian May’s mini acoustic set of where he had a good chat with the crowd and sand ‘Love Of My Life’ with the help of Freddy Mercury on the big screen. Freddy also made appearances for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’. Roger Taylor and Lambert delivered the David Bowie/Mercury classic ‘Under Pressure’ to a captivated crowd as well.
Setlist
Now I’m Here
Seven Seas of Rhye
Keep Yourself Alive
Hammer To Fall
Somebody To Love
Killer Queen
Dont Stop Me Now
In The Lap Of The Gods Revisited
I’m In Love With My Car
Bicycle Race
Fat Bottomed Girls
Another One Bites The Dusrt
I Want It All
Love Of My Life
’39
Doing All Right
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Under Pressure
Dragon Attack
Whole Lotta Love
Heartbreak Hotel
I Want To Break Free
Who Wants To Live Forever
Tie Your Mother Down
The Show Must Go On
Radio GaGa
Bohemian Rhapsody
We Will Rock You
We Are The Champions
