REVIEW: Queen and Adam Lambert, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle.
Filed Under () by Adam Lambert on Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Posted at : Tuesday, January 13, 2015
QUEEN must be one of the only bands where being overblown,
over-wrought and over the top are not criticisms, but the bare minimum
of requirements when taking the stage.
And when you have to step into the shoes of arch prancer and showman Freddie Mercury, the pressure is most certainly pushing down on you.
That particular pressure has fallen upon Adam Lambert and I’m happy to report he’s no shrinking violet or pale imitation.
The American Idol winner has turned a thankless task into an impressive showcase of a voice that, if not matching Mr Mercury’s, certainly to gives it a run for its money.
There was always the fear that emulating Mercury would turn this show, the first of a nationwide tour, into a soulless X Factor karaoke night.
Had Lambert flounced onto the stage in a leotard sporting a big black moustache and wielding a Union Jack cape, the game would be up.
As it was, the lead singer, while camping it up in a Freddie-esque style, had his own image … most of it gleaned from the all studs and leather cast offs from the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome costume wardrobe. Image-wise he appeared to be channelling George Michael during his Faith period.
Lambert has said he was there not to replace Mercury, but to remind people how amazing he was. A packed arena didn’t need reminding.
Nor did they need reminding of the talents of Brian May and Roger Taylor.
May ran the show from start to finish, and was as comfortable rocking out Fat Bottomed Girls and Crazy Little Thing Called Love as he was endearing himself to the crowd with an acoustic version of Fog on the Tyne or wringing out the emotion on Who Wants To Live Forever.
His guitar work was as note perfect as Lambert’s voice was pitch perfect, as they rattled through hit after hit from decade to decade: Another One Bites the Dust, I Want it All, Killer Queen, A Kind of Magic, I Want To Break Free, every one a winner.
Link to article:
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/gigs-music/review-queen-and-adam-lambert-metro-radio-arena-newcastle-1-7049151#.VLXO3TSdbUw.twitter
And when you have to step into the shoes of arch prancer and showman Freddie Mercury, the pressure is most certainly pushing down on you.
That particular pressure has fallen upon Adam Lambert and I’m happy to report he’s no shrinking violet or pale imitation.
The American Idol winner has turned a thankless task into an impressive showcase of a voice that, if not matching Mr Mercury’s, certainly to gives it a run for its money.
There was always the fear that emulating Mercury would turn this show, the first of a nationwide tour, into a soulless X Factor karaoke night.
Had Lambert flounced onto the stage in a leotard sporting a big black moustache and wielding a Union Jack cape, the game would be up.
As it was, the lead singer, while camping it up in a Freddie-esque style, had his own image … most of it gleaned from the all studs and leather cast offs from the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome costume wardrobe. Image-wise he appeared to be channelling George Michael during his Faith period.
Lambert has said he was there not to replace Mercury, but to remind people how amazing he was. A packed arena didn’t need reminding.
Nor did they need reminding of the talents of Brian May and Roger Taylor.
May ran the show from start to finish, and was as comfortable rocking out Fat Bottomed Girls and Crazy Little Thing Called Love as he was endearing himself to the crowd with an acoustic version of Fog on the Tyne or wringing out the emotion on Who Wants To Live Forever.
His guitar work was as note perfect as Lambert’s voice was pitch perfect, as they rattled through hit after hit from decade to decade: Another One Bites the Dust, I Want it All, Killer Queen, A Kind of Magic, I Want To Break Free, every one a winner.
Link to article:
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/gigs-music/review-queen-and-adam-lambert-metro-radio-arena-newcastle-1-7049151#.VLXO3TSdbUw.twitter
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2 comments:
Very well-done video of the opening song, new to me; fiery, like a rocket taking off; the unveiling is suspenseful and dramatic. Reminds me of a magician lifting the cover, only this one exposes Adam with his gloved hand up, his signature pose and Freddie's too. Powerful visuals in expectation of what is to follow. Mark Bate's video-close-up of the grand opening and unveiling captures the QAL opulence.
Thank you Lambertlust and Anon 7:39 for bringing the above video and Adam's Mama re-audition video, respectively.
Harry hit on a great idea of requesting for a second AI Mama audition. That was exactly six years ago. This time round, it's more refined with a lot more emotion, probably Adam feeling it deeper; that which had launched him worldwide. Actually, Simon had a lot to do with this Mama moment that was to catapult Adam into the limelight of QAL; because Simon wasn't sure and Adam instantly chipped in with: 'Do you want to hear something else?' Looking slightly worried. lol! And that brought about the Mama moment, his second song; that has lasted till today. The only difference is this second Mama audition did not get a 'I think you are theatrical' response; rather a very impressed Harry. lwl!
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