Note: This review is by a TV business reporter. That may explain the odd take on this concert and on time travel-Einstein]. He clearly knows something about Queen and QAL but somehow remains somewhat clueless. I am pretty sure he got a C in High School Physics. I apologize for the comments I inserted below. I could not resist.
My bet is he review this concert so he could get comped tickets to take his 9 year old son to his first concert and have great seats.
Q3
Concert Review: Queen and Adam Lambert Capitalize on ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
The latest tour makes the most of what fans liked about the film: the hit music and an almost reverent take on Freddie Mercury's life. [It's pretty much the same concert setlist and production scale they did before the movie. Q.]By Michael Schneider
Variety Editor at Large
About half way through Queen and Adam Lambert’s Saturday night show at the Forum in Inglewood, guitarist Brian May took the stage solo to perform a few numbers. He began by acknowledging that day’s 50th anniversary of the first manned moon landing, as the video screen behind him streamed a real-time replay of the Apollo 11 mission.
“This is the day when three incredibly brave American boys first reached the nearest heavenly body in the sky,” said May, who is famously also an astrophysicist. “Remember that? Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins changed the course of history.” May went on to reference Albert Einstein’s time dilation paradox, before launching into the Queen tune “39.”
A retro act referencing a historic moment: We have arrived at peak pop culture nostalgia. But when it comes to capitalizing on reboot mania, Queen has done everything right. The band has managed to stay relevant over the years, thanks to its occasional moments in the zeitgeist — such as “Wayne’s World” in 1992 and
Lambert’s Queen covers in 2009. [WTF? Adam's Queen covers in 2009? What a weird attempt to create a bit of retro symmetry. Q]And then, of course, came 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the Queen biopic that earned Rami Malek an Oscar for his portrayal of late frontman Freddie Mercury. The success of that film sparked this year’s “The Rhapsody Tour,” once again tapping “American Idol” alum Lambert to fill the Mercury role. Indeed, the latest tour makes the most of what fans liked about the film: the hit music and an almost reverent take on Mercury’s life.
[WTF?!?]Lambert, of course, is quick to make sure fans know he’s not trying to be the legendary singer, who died in 1991. “I’m going to call the big pink elephant in the room,” Lambert told the crowd. “I am not Freddie Mercury. Because there will only be one Freddie Mercury. I’m just like you guys, I’m a big fan too. And there’s no replacing the one and only Freddie Mercury. All I’m here to do for you tonight is to celebrate Freddie and to carry a torch for Freddie. I hope I’m making him proud.”
Like any successful reboot, the new Queen
[It's been 8 years now! So maybe "newish"?] still offers up something for the long-term fans, in May and drummer Roger Taylor, while also offering up Lambert, and a return to relevancy thanks to the film, for younger audiences.
May knows that it’s working, calling Lambert “the gift from God” at one point. Lambert returned the compliment: “Every time I go on stage with these guys I realize what an honor this is. And how lucky I feel.”
There was frequent use of Mercury imagery, including a touching moment when May sang Mercury’s “Love of My Life” until the end of the song, when a video featured Mercury singing the final verse as May smiled and looked on. Queen also continues to perform “Bohemian Rhapsody” live as a hybrid, sang mostly live but with the “mamma mia” section on tape from the song’s famous video.
The mostly older audience likely appreciated all the nods to the Queen they grew up with. But Lambert still made plenty of the show his own, interjecting his own swagger and personality in the mix — from licking a microphone to frequent, and outlandish, wardrobe changes.
The setlist offered the usual greatest hits package, with plenty of songs from the movie getting their due.
[These songs are not from the movie!?!?!? The movie includes Queen songs from their albums and concerts.] There was no surprise to the ending: Queen and Lambert wrapped up the initial set with “Bohemian Rhapsody,” while “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” served as the encore.
It wasn’t earth-shattering stuff, but reboots rarely are. What they’re supposed to do is give audiences something they’re either excited to see again, or curious to see for the first time.
{What else is there?!? Q.] For my 9-year-old, newly obsessed with Queen thanks to “Bohemian Rhapsody,” it was a perfect first-ever concert for him. For the older concertgoers around us, it was a chance to hop in the time machine and recapture a bit of joy, all these years later.
Or as astrophysicist Brian May might note, another way to practice Einstein’s theory of special relativity.
[Seriously, go take a Physics course because this is the wrong theory to use when discussing time travel. Q.] Link:
variety.com/2019/music/concert-reviews/queen-adam-lambert-bohemian-rhapsody-forum-los-angeles-1203274772/***
And now, something nice!
http://instagr.am/p/B0IllxMBZ9Z
“An amazing day and night! Thanks Adam for posting this. Thanks to all my family and dear pals for the Birthday wishes.
Thanks ALL your beauties in the fabulous LA Forum tonight for singing to me – and with me … and being a truly wonderful audience. OK! Deep breath !! Second Forum show tomorrow! Grateful! Bri X.”
QAL North American Tour 2019
10 Jul Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
12 Jul Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
14 Jul San Jose, CA SAP Center
16 Jul Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Arena
19 Jul Los Angeles, CA The Forum
20 Jul Los Angeles, CA The Forum23 Jul Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
24 Jul Houston, TX Toyota Center
27 Jul Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
28 Jul Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
30 Jul Washington, DC Capital One Arena
31 Jul Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
03 Aug Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
04 Aug Boston, MA Xfinity Center
06 Aug New York, NY Madison Square Garden
07 Aug New York, NY Madison Square Garden
09 Aug Chicago, IL United Center
10 Aug St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
13 Aug Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
15 Aug Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
17 Aug Ft. Lauderdale, FL BB&T Center
18 Aug Tampa, FL Amalie Arena
20 Aug New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center
22 Aug Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
23 Aug Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center