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Post by maya on Jul 24, 2017 12:16:02 GMT -5
UNCASVILLE, Conn - Mohegan Sun Casino - July 23, 2017
Queen with Adam Lambert thrill Mohegan Sun Casino crowd (review, photos) Updated on July 24, 2017 at 8:46 AM Posted on July 24, 2017 at 1:40 AMwww.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/07/queen_and_adam_lambert_mohegan.htmlBy Ray Kelly rkelly@repub.comUNCASVILLE, Conn. -- After touring on and off with Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor for six years, Adam Lambert still finds it necessary to explain himself to die hard fans unable to accept anyone in place of the late Freddie Mercury. "I am going to say this right now because I know there are fans who are like 'Well, it's not Freddie Mercury.' This is true. And guess what, there will only be -- for all of time -- one Freddie Mercury. I am lucky and honored to stand in front of audiences with these legends and keep these songs being performed live. So thank you for giving me a chance," Lambert told the crowd that packed the Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday night. For many, no explanation is necessary, and Lambert does a remarkable job filling Mercury's platform shoes. Lambert, who was just 9 years old when Mercury died in 1991, honors his predecessor, but never resorts to mimicry. His vocals reveal modern R&B and hip hop influences, which give the classic rock songs a slightly different feel, while retaining their power and beauty. Queen + Adam Lambert, as they are billed, took the stage to the strains of "We Will Rock You," and offered proof of that promise as they launched into the May-penned "Hammer To Fall" from Queen's 1984 album "The Works." It was followed a heartbeat later by the metal-tinged "Stone Cold Crazy." Taylor, who anchored the night, shared vocal chores with Lambert on "Under Pressure," the band's 1991 collaboration with the late David Bowie. He soloed on "I'm in Love with My Car." May justified his rock guitar god status with a scorching guitar solo that closed "Fat Bottomed Girls." Later, he performed a moving solo acoustic rendition of "Love of My Life" with an image of Mercury on the giant stage screen at the song's close. Mercury offered two performances through archival footage: A clip of him singing "Day-Oh" from a 1986 performance at London's Wembley Stadium, and a portion of his rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" from its promotional music video. The concert staging and screens also resurrected the giant robot whose image graced the cover of the band's 1977 album "News of the World." Painted by "Astounding Science Fiction" artist Frank Kelly Freas, the robot made frequent welcome appearances during the night. Complementing the high-tech staging was a top-flight laser show, which was effectively used with a soaring performance of "Who Wants to Live Forever." Queen + Adam Lambert closed the night with the anthemic "We Will Rock You / We Are the Champions." Yes, they did. And yes, they are. SETLIST We Will Rock You intro Hammer to Fall Stone Cold Crazy Another One Bites the Dust Fat Bottomed Girls Killer Queen Two Fux Don't Stop Me Now Bicycle Race I'm in Love With My Car Get Down, Make Love I Want It All Love of My Life Somebody to Love Crazy Little Thing Called Love Drum Battle - (Roger Taylor and Tyler Warren) Under Pressure I Want to Break Free Who Wants to Live Forever Extended Brian May guitar solo Day-Oh - (Freddie Mercury archival video) Radio Ga Ga Bohemian Rhapsody We Will Rock You / We Are the Champions
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Post by maya on Jul 24, 2017 13:28:04 GMT -5
TORONTO, Ontario,Canada - Air Canada Centre - July 18, 2017 QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT AT THE AIR CANADA CENTREBY DAKOTA ARSENAULT CONCERT REVIEWS JULY 24, 2017Photos by Janine Van Oostrom.
Despite being almost forty-five minutes late there was a wondrous excitement in the air as Queen + Adam Lambert were to come out. Queen currently only subsists of two original members guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor (the other two former members of the band, lead singer Freddie Mercury passed away in 1991 and bassist John Deacon who essentially all but retired from music after Mercury’s passing). Adam Lambert is most famous for being the runner up on the 8th season of American Idol (behind someone apparently named Kris Allen), but for the last six years has been fronting the current iteration of Queen after taking over for Paul Rodgers, the former front man of Bad Company. The show was mostly a greatest hits night with occasional interludes of older tracks. While Queen certainly has the discography for a greatest hits set, the audience seemed to only be interested in singing along with the biggest hits and were mostly ambivalent to the lesser known cuts. After starting out with the riff for We Will Rock You that lead into two lesser know songs off of their albums Sheer Heart Attack and The Works they kicked the show into high gear with the first proper hit song of the night, Another One Bites The Dust. The thick and very familiar bass line bounced around the Air Canada Centre as people earnestly started dancing around. Lambert, when first announced as the replacement front man of Queen drew ire from the classic rock fans since he was only known as the young American Idol contestant. Unlike the previous substitute front man in Paul Rodgers, who had a classic rock background and a similar enough fan base, Lambert seemed to be an odd choice. But in reality he makes more sense, Queen and more importantly Freddie Mercury was one of the first gay rock icons and despite his flamboyance was seen as the everyman before gay acceptance was a common thing. Lambert never shied away from his activism in the LGBT community while also never compromising his flamboyance to seem more palatable to middle America, making him an ideal replacement for Rodgers. Lambert also is able to bring in younger fans to the Queen brand that may not have identified with the one of yore. The first real sing along song was Fat Bottomed Girls, an ironic song that was written by May and sung on tape and live on this evening by two gay men. Lambert knew he wasn’t Mercury and thankfully didn’t try to be him. He sung the songs in his own vocal register, rarely going for the super high notes and instead sustained them instead of letting them trail off into high soprano range. In Fat Bottomed Girls he sang with a southern drawl while late in the show during Crazy Little Thing Called Love he had an Elvis twang affect. At the end of the song he even included some Elvis the Pelvis dance moves proving that it was a deliberate choice to sound like the King while performing as Queen. While Lambert spent most of the night strutting around in leather outfits and purple suits, he was at his most gloriously campy during Killer Queen, perhaps the most flamboyant song in Queen’s discography. He took a moment to let the audience properly applaud the main reason for coming out as he introduced May and Taylor as they got long standing ovations after Lambert talked about how he was their biggest fan and was just lucky enough to have the most expensive ticket in the venue and see them perform every night. He addressed the “giant pink elephant” in the room by letting the crowd know he wasn’t there to replace Mercury, as that was beyond impossible and claimed to be an even bigger fan of the man and his band mates than any of the diehards in the audience. Lambert got a chance to play a song of his own, Two Fux, which came out this year and was the most Mercury like in delivery compared to every other song performed. Queen sounded in vintage form backing him evoking a song that easily could have appeared on their poppier records. The band teased the crowd by inserting an achingly long pause in the intro of Don’t Stop Me Know right before the titular words and beat change comes in showing their playfulness. Midway through the show Brian May went to the front of the guitar shaped stage and played an acoustic rendition of Love of My Life from 1975’s A Night At The Opera. At the end of the song the giant screens flashed a 1986 era yellow leather jacket clad Freddie Mercury who sang the last verse in a very touching duet. Between Lambert clearing the air early on and May’s hologram duet, that would have been plenty enough of acknowledging the past and paying homage to it. Sadly every time you finally got used to Lambert and his takes on the music another Mercury montage or vocal appearance by the late great singer appeared. It wasn’t Lambert’s fault that he wasn’t Mercury; in fact his performance was stunning, if on the touch reserved side of things and Freddie was Freddie, one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time. It was just hard to get past the ever-increasing reminders of the past. Hits like Somebody to Love, the David Bowie duet Under Pressure, I Want To Break Free and Radio Ga Ga (yes that is the song that inspired Stephanie Germanotta to take the stage name Lady Gaga) all were performed showcasing the band’s deep well. To end the main set the band performed their most famous song Bohemian Rhapsody, although it was more of a karaoke song for the fans to sing than for the band to perform as they all left the stage during the Galileo portion allowing the music video to entertain the crowd instead. For the encore the band performed two of their bigger hits in We Will Rock You with it’s blistering guitar solo more than making up for the cheeseball lyrics and We Are The Champions. At the end of the show a mountain of yellow confetti was shot over the crowd and the band took their bows while God Save the Queen blared over the PA system. The show was mostly for the older fans that probably didn’t get the chance to see the band in its heyday, but still desperately wanted to sing along to their most famous songs. The show is exciting with its high-end production and charismatic personality of the current front man and certainly worth the six plus years partnership.
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 24, 2017 15:59:09 GMT -5
TORONTO, Ontario,Canada - Air Canada Centre - July 18, 2017 www.q107.com/2017/07/24/queen-adam-lambert-air-canada-centre/ Queen & Adam Lambert @ Air Canada CentreToronto, ON, Canada / Q107 Toronto Staff July 24, 2017 01:15 pmPhoto: Mike FowlerFirst things first. Who the heck does this American Idol Adam Lambert think he is trying to replace Freddie Mercury?! Oh this ought to be good. Die-hard Queen fans were hesitant, excited and cautiously curious to find out whether this young’un is THAT good or have Queen’s drummer Brian May and guitarist Roger Taylor lost their marbles? Toronto’s Air Canada Center was filled with anxious fans of multiple generations and every walk of life. The anticipation was growing and the crowds were cheering while waiting for Queen to hit the stage. Alas, forty minutes later, the giant head of the robot featured on their album News of the World emerged on a giant screen, punching a hole through the brick wall to unveil the band. There is no comparing the two, but Lambert’s desire to live up to the challenge protrudes through his wailing vocals, as well as his exuberant stage presence. The show kicked off with a preview of “We Will Rock You/Hammer to Fall”, diving right into the killer 22-hit song catalog. Sure enough, Lambert’s campy stage presence as well as the ability to hit every song note for note had the crowd singing along. Okay, so the die-hard fans were warming up to this guy, but still not completely convinced after “Stone Cold Crazy” or “Another One Bites the Dust”, and were cheering more for Queen’s Roger Taylor’s and Brian May’s outstanding drumming and strumming. Then “Fat Bottom Girls” came on and the entire Air Canada Center was rumbling with dancing fans. It was during “Killer Queen” when Brian May had his first guitar solo, almost as if to ease the crowd before the giant robot head emerged from ground up with Lambert finally addressing the hot topic of the night…Is Lambert REALLY trying to replace Freddy Mercury?! Lambert addressed the fans by stating, “I am going to address the big pink elephant in the room… I know what some of you are thinking out there, “He’s no Freddie Mercury pfft.” I know I know. There will only be ONE Freddie Mercury. I’m actually a fan just like you guys, I just get to be up here in the really expensive seat…I feel so fortunate and honoured to be bringing this music to life for fans all around the world! So thank you guys for giving me a chance tonight to keep these songs alive!” From that point on, it was like a heavy weight was lifted from everyone’s shoulder and a mutual respect was found for not only Lambert but Queen also. The fans cheered, Lambert continued to blow everyone’s expectations out of the water with daring falsetto’s and mesmerizing harmonies, Brian May killed it with his solo guitar riff’s and Roger Taylor hit those drums like never before. The highlights of the night included Brian May singing “The Love of My Life”, which he used to perform with Freddie. The waterworks were undeniable when Mercury appeared on the jumbo screen as if to appear singing the end of the song alongside May. Toronto fans also had a chance to sing Happy Birthday to May who was turning 70 at midnight. Taylor, 67, also has a July birthday but at the rate that these guys are going, there is no stopping them anytime soon. With their overwhelmingly impressive and lengthy drum battle and guitar solos among amazing lights shows, they continue to impress the crowds, leaving goosebumps from head to toe. If there were fans that were still scoffing at Lambert by the end of “Who Wants to Live Forever”, after “Bohemian Rhapsody”, there wasn’t one fan that wasn’t convinced of his talent to bring Freddie’s songs to life again. By bringing his own style and daringly hitting notes exceeding his theatrical vocal abilities, six years of touring with the band, Lambert seems to have impressed May and Taylor and who knows, maybe even Freddie would have graciously approved. The band ended the emotional roller coaster of a concert with an encore that included “We Will Rock You”, “We Are The Champions”, followed by explosive confetti and the band emerging with crowns on their heads, finishing of the night with “God Save The Queen”. – Alyona Kravtsova @alyonaonair
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Post by cassie on Jul 26, 2017 14:27:16 GMT -5
Adam Lambert proves to be a killer Queen vocalist Former ‘American Idol’ runner-up a strong fill-in for late rock icon Freddie Mercury By Chuck Darrow PhillyVoice Contributor July 26, 2017 In 2006, Queen co-founders Brian May and Roger Taylor decided to tour with a program featuring the beloved British glam-rock band’s music. To replace legendary lead singer Freddie Mercury, whose 1991 AIDS-related death ended the original quartet’s run, they recruited Paul Rodgers, a pillar of ‘70s rock thanks to his work in Free (“Alright Now”) and, more importantly, Bad Company. The experiment was an artistic fiasco as Rodgers’ gritty, blues-soaked sound was totally unsuited to Mercury’s florid, higher-register sonic blueprint. Five years later, the two Queensters tried again by recruiting “American Idol” insta-star Adam Lambert, who wowed judges and the public (and May and Taylor) with his performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Last Sunday night at the Arena inside Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, Conn., Lambert emphatically proved that while, in his words, “there is only one Freddie Mercury,” it’s doubtful any other current singer could best him when it comes to replicating the Mercury experience, vocally and stage-presence-wise. At Mohegan Sun, the act, now called Queen + Adam Lambert —which on Sunday plays the Wells-Fargo Center—provided a demographic cross-section of fans a pretty good facsimile of what it was what like to be at a Queen concert between the 1ate-1970s (when they hit the arena-headliner level) and the late-1980s, when Mercury’s illness began to take its toll. The fulcrum of the set’s success was, of course, Lambert, who impressively handled both Queen’s most popular (and schlockier) material, including “BoRhap” (probably the emotional pinnacle in a set chock-full of lump-in-the-throat moments), “Somebody to Love,” “We Are the Champions” “Bicycle Race” and “Fat Bottomed Girls,” and turbo-charged rockers, including the show-opening one-two punch of “Hammer to Fall” and “Stone Cold Crazy.” On all of these, Lambert recalled Mercury’s style, but fell admirably short of mere imitation. Instead, he used his own vocal gifts to build upon Mercury’s foundation. Lambert likewise outshone his immediate predecessor, Paul Rodgers, in the role of frontman. Theatrically garbed in a series of outfits that ranged from George Michael black-leather-fetish-wear to a pink satin suit (with brocaded flowers and black platform shoes with stacked heels) that could have been nicked from Elton John’s closet circa 1976, Lambert paid homage to Mercury’s onstage flamboyance, but never appeared to either mock or clone it. And he had the good sense not to wield a half-size microphone stand as did Mercury—another way in which Lambert’s turn transcended mere mimicry. Mercury’s presence extended beyond Lambert’s reverential performance: He regularly showed up on the giant video screen behind the stage, with each appearance garnering vociferous applause from the audience. But this was not a one-live-man, one-dead-man affair. Major props also go to the two senior citizens who actually run the show. Drummer Taylor, who turns 68 today, was his usual steady-if-un-showboaty self on the drums, and pleasingly contributed his crucial, yet often-overlooked, backup vocals. May, who last week celebrated his 70th birthday, constantly reminded the assembled multitude that he is one of rock’s criminally underrated guitarists. Throughout the 25-song performance, May’s unique style was preeminent. It’s a blueprint that is far more streamlined and clinical (as befits a university-degreed astrophysicist) than those of other classic-rock British guitar heroes who have always worn their blues-love on their sleeves. Sunday, May thrilled repeatedly with his singular metal-meets-melody six-string strategy. Sure, his guitar-solo segment—a celebration of electronic effects like phasers, flangers and loopers (which May was building and using decades before the digital era made them ubiquitous) was a tad self-indulgent, but hey, he's earned it! The bombastic, state-of-the-art staging, whose motif centered on the giant robot that appears on the cover of the band’s mega-smash LP, “News of the World” (celebrating its 40th anniversary this year) also added to the enjoyment, and provided yet another tribute to Mercury-era Queen’s live act. And it was another reason Queen + Adam Lambert’s Mohegan Sun gig was such good fun. www.phillyvoice.com/adam-lambert-proves-be-killer-queen-vocalist/
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Post by maya on Jul 26, 2017 16:33:18 GMT -5
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Quicken Loans Arena (the Q) - July 21, 2017ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-2017-live-review/(Insert Cliched Headline About How Well Queen Rocked Cleveland Here)By Matthew Wilkening July 26, 2017 10:15 AMA few songs into Queen’s dazzling concert in Cleveland this past weekend, Adam Lambert took center stage for a brief speech that included two choice words for anybody still complaining that he’s no Freddie Mercury. “No s—!” The former American Idol sensation and current solo star, who has been performing live with Queen since 2012, went on to praise Mercury as a one-of-a-kind rock god, and explained that a big part of the reason he took this job was to help keep the band’s music alive for new generations. It was a fantastically worded and delivered statement — filled with exactly the correct levels of respect, humility and bravado — and it earned a big roar from the packed crowd at the Q Arena. It was also rather unnecessary, because throughout the 24-song, two-hour show that surrounded his monologue, Lambert more than proved that he was a great choice for the job. All by himself, Lambert can’t hit every single note the scientifically proven awesome Mercury did in his prime. (As impressive as their collective performances were, neither could the dozens of famous rock stars who gathered to pay tribute to the late singer at Wembley Stadium back in 1992.) But after instantly commanding the stage with strong takes on early-era Queen rockers like “Stone Cold Crazy,” Lambert really blossomed when taking on more ornate material such as “Killer Queen” and “Don’t Stop Me Now.” Guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and their three-piece backing band were equally impressive, singing so well on the choruses of the opening “Hammer to Fall” that at first some cynical audience members (including me) suspected trickery. But don’t worry, they’re real … and they’re spectacular! The entire show was well presented, from beginning to end. Instead of the typical pre-show playlist of other classic-rock songs playing at half-volume, Queen set the mood and built anticipation from the moment you walked into the arena by having a low-frequency electronic hum rise and fall as you waited for them to arrive, with the dynamics getting more and more intense as the show drew closer. The stage — shaped like May’s famous “Red Special” guitar and featuring both onscreen and physical appearances from the robot on the cover of their 1977 album News of the World — was gorgeous. The set list was sheer perfection too. Even the guitar and drum solos had a point and were kept to a reasonable length. A tribute to a recently departed rock legend provided perhaps the show’s most unexpected and magical moment, as Taylor took David Bowie‘s vocal part — while still playing drums — on an intimately staged and goose-bump-inducing version of “Under Pressure.” Naturally, Mercury’s presence will loom large over anything the remaining members of Queen do for the rest of their lives, and they wisely and lovingly embraced that sentiment throughout the evening. Thanks to well-incorporated live audio and performance footage, he even performed duets with May, on “Love of My Life,” and Lambert, on the main set-closing “Bohemian Rhapsody.” If you didn’t get the idea already, this is a really great show, and if you’re lucky enough to be near one of the cities Queen are playing on the remainder of this tour, you should definitely go. Watch Adam Lambert and Roger Taylor Perform ‘Under Pressure’ in Cleveland on 7/21/17
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Post by maya on Jul 26, 2017 16:46:16 GMT -5
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA - TD Garden - July 25, 2017 www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2017/07/26/lambert-queen-prove-marriage-made-for-arena/Pb0CbCN6vggwrOoBc2FReI/story.html?s_campaign=bostonglobe%3Asocialflow%3AtwitterMUSIC REVIEW Adam Lambert, Queen prove to be a marriage made for an arenaBy Maura Johnston GLOBE CORRESPONDENT JULY 26, 2017NICHOLAS PFOSI FOR THE BOSTON GLOBESince the ’90s, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor have performed as “Queen +” with a number of singers — famed tenor Luciano Pavarotti, original Fugee Wyclef Jean, former Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers — attempting to fill the jazz shoes of Freddie Mercury, who passed away in 1991. Recently, the duo has joined up with singer and “American Idol” alumni Adam Lambert, whose flamboyant style and theatrical vocals are of a piece with Mercury’s aesthetic, if a bit more amped-up. During Tuesday night’s energetic, if sometimes odd show at TD Garden, Lambert and his new bandmates roared through some of the Queen catalog’s highlights, the six-piece band’s hefty arrangements resulting in an atmosphere that at times felt arena-shaking. Lambert’s “Idol” run, during which he originally met May, showcased why he and Queen were an ideal fit. He auditioned with “Bohemian Rhapsody,” hinting at both his appreciation of the British band and his flair for the dramatic. Over the course of his season, he skipped through the singing competition’s gauntlet of genres with gusto, adding a sitar to “Ring of Fire” and stripping “If I Can’t Have You” of its disco flourishes. Queen’s approach to genre was even more omnivorous — “Radio Ga Ga” combines sumptuous synthpop with an arena-ready chorus, “Stone Cold Crazy” is so thrashy it warranted a faithful Metallica cover, and the fanciful vocal melodies of “Bicycle Race” and “Killer Queen” throw back to early-20th-century pop. The setlist offered up a run through the band’s biggest hits, with the one solo track by Lambert — his just-released single, whose phonetically challenging title can’t be printed in a newspaper — getting an arrangement that called to Queen’s arena-size rock instead of the recorded version’s sparse EDM-pop backing. That track came after a short monologue where he enthused over being onstage with artists he’d idolized, and answered snipes that he’s “not Freddie Mercury” with a curt rejoinder. Mercury himself would have probably noted that a concert — particularly a large-scale show with songs embedded in the pop firmament — was about the audience as well as the performers onstage, and on that level, the show delivered. While Lambert’s vocal pyrotechnics contrast with the approach taken by the exceedingly precise Mercury, his obvious enthusiasm for the material was infectious. The version of “Under Pressure” with Lambert taking Mercury’s part and Taylor handling the late David Bowie’s vocals was surprisingly moving, while his swooning “Somebody to Love” showed how he could maneuver around one of the band’s trickiest songs. The late Queen frontman appeared a few times via archival video; the most arresting came during May’s sweet solo version of the 1975 ballad “Love of My Life,” while his appearance during the choir interlude of “Bohemian Rhapsody” was akin to him leading a singalong. They were brief yet tasteful, giving American audiences who never got to see Queen in its original run (the last North American tour was in 1982) a glimpse of the past, while Lambert’s performance showed how the band’s catalog will remain a pop force well into the 21st century.
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Post by maya on Jul 27, 2017 12:20:21 GMT -5
NEWARK, New Jersey, USA - Prudential Center - July 26, 2017www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2017/07/queen_adam_lambert_2017_concert_review_nj_photos_v.htmlIf you love Queen, you must see their triumphant '+ Adam Lambert' concert (PHOTOS) Updated on July 27, 2017 at 10:23 AM Posted on July 26, 2017 at 10:17 AM By Bobby Olivier bolivier@njadvancemedia.com, NJ Advance Media for NJ.comNEWARK -- "I think a good song should never die," noted Brian May. The venerable Queen guitarist was preaching to a literal choir in Newark Monday night, where a vast chamber of voices gleefully resurrected the band's catalog -- and made peace with the new man at the pulpit. Adam Lambert, the fabulously gifted vocalist who first met the band as a finalist on "American Idol" in 2009, has toured with founding members May and drummer Roger Taylor since 2012, and has combined with new bassist Neil Fairclough, keyboardist Spike Edney and percussionist Tyler Warren to form "Queen + Adam Lambert," a supergroup succeeding Queen's collaboration with Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers from 2004 to 2009. Lambert, 35, did well to honor his role as interim frontman and was welcomingly frank about the situation. "There is only one Freddie Mercury ... I'm a fan just like you guys, I'm just up here in a really good seat," he told Prudential Center Monday, adding that before each performance he reminds himself he's "working with legends." "Thank you for giving me the chance to keep this music alive," he said. Adam Lambert performs with Brian May and Queen at the Prudential Center in Newark on July 26, 2017. It is the 40th anniversary of Queen's "News of the World" album. (Bernadette Marciniak | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Adam Lambert performs with Brian May and Queen at the Prudential Center in Newark on July 26, 2017. It is the 40th anniversary of Queen's "News of the World" album. (Bernadette Marciniak | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)The graciousness ended there; Lambert spent the rest of the two-hour performance as an uber-flamboyant pop-rock sensation, belting with aplomb -- explain again how he didn't win his "Idol" season? -- and balancing brilliantly between the melodic blueprints to some of the best-known songs of the 20th Century and his own pop-leaning sketches. Thank the rock gods he didn't sing every track note-for-note and beg comparisons: the delicately altered states of "Another One Bites The Dust," "Don't Stop Me Now" and a particularly chilling vocal performance on "Who Wants to Live Forever" all saw Lambert emerge from Mercury's encompassing shadow and all but scream "if Queen wants to keep going, I'm the man for the job!" With the inherent theatricality of the Queen songbook plus Lambert's penchant for a stagy performance -- he spent nearly a decade in musical theater before "Idol" -- such a concert could have easily devolved into a "Rock of Ages" jukebox dummy, but hand-over-heart, this felt like a true rock show, honest and worthy of the band's prolific career. Though it was never explicitly mentioned, homage was paid all night to the band's 1977 album "News of the World," which celebrates its 40th anniversary in October. The album cover's famed sci-fi metallic head popping up on screen, as well as in a 10-foot statue form, on top of which Lambert sat to sing "Killer Queen." May, 70, and Taylor, who turned 68 this night, were each given ample space to show off as well; from a raised platform May ripped a dynamic solo that morphed from atmospheric sounds to crunching, bluesy riffs, and also sang a solo acoustic rendition of "Love of My Life" with Mercury superimposed next to him on the large screen, to a swell of cheers. Brian May of Queen at the Prudential Center on July 26, 2017. Queen is currently touring with Adam Lambert. (Bernadette Marciniak | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Brian May of Queen at the Prudential Center on July 26, 2017. Queen is currently touring with Adam Lambert. (Bernadette Marciniak | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Taylor took back his original vocal on "I'm in Love with my Car" -- anyone who can simultaneously play a drum kit and sing lead is okay in my book -- and faced off against the percussionist Warren in a speedy battle of drum kits. Sure, there were moments where Lambert probably took it too far: he could have lived without the five costume changes and in some cases an exaggerated facial expression, strut or hip thrust matched to every phrase lent to the idea that this was more a role for him than a gig. And the jury's still out on whether his singing his own single "Two Fux" added to was a detriment to the overall performance. But the triumphant moments shone through, from the expectedly epic sing-alongs on "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Somebody to Love" to "Under Pressure," where Lambert was spot-on in Mercury's part, locking eyes with Taylor, who wailed David Bowie's lines. Two legendary talents gone, two incredible performances keeping their spirits alive -- full disclosure: in this moment, I nearly burst into tears. If you love Queen, plain and simple, go see this show. It doesn't know how to disappoint you. Queen + Adam Lambert's set listJuly 26, 2017 - Prudential Center, Newark, N.J. "We Will Rock You" (teaser) "Hammer to Fall" "Stone Cold Crazy" "Another One Bites the Dust" "Fat Bottomed Girls" "Killer Queen" "Two Fux" (Adam Lambert cover) "Don't Stop Me Now" "Bicycle Race" (short) "I'm in Love With My Car" "Get Down, Make Love" "I Want It All" "Love of My Life" "Somebody to Love" "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" Drum Battle "Under Pressure" "I Want to Break Free" "Who Wants to Live Forever" Guitar Solo "Radio Ga Ga" "Bohemian Rhapsody" Encore: "We Will Rock You" "We Are the Champions" Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bobbyolivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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Post by maya on Jul 27, 2017 17:47:49 GMT -5
NEWARK, New Jersey, USA - Prudential Center - July 26, 2017variety.com/2017/music/news/concert-review-adam-lambert-queen-prudential-center-newark-1202508739/ Concert Review: Queen Turns Up to 11 With Adam Lambert as Fan and FrontmanMichele Amabile Angermiller , @micheleamabile JULY 27, 2017 | 12:23PM PTFive songs into a killer Queen show Wednesday night (July 26) at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, Adam Lambert stopped to ask a question. “Is this the real life? Or is it just fantasy?” Lambert’s quip, referencing the opening lines of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” may have been tongue-in-cheek, but it’s also reality for the “American Idol” season eight runner-up, who had the good fortune of being chosen to front Queen alongside original members Dr. Brian May on guitar, and drummer Roger Taylor (Neil Fairclough plays bass; Spike Edney handles keyboards, and Tyler Warren rounds out the lineup on percussion). It’s a big job, as Lambert went on to explain, namely because singer Freddie Mercury died tragically in 1991. “Let’s be honest, there is only one Freddie Mercury,” the 35-year-old said from the stage. “I’m a fan just like you guys. I’m just up here in a really expensive seat.” And it’s a spot that Lambert has earned, as evidenced by the two-hour rock ‘n’ roll laser light spectacle that he led. The set list went heavy on hits, but also sprinkled in a few deep cuts and Lambert’s own original song, “Two Fux,” which was skillfully executed thanks to his otherworldly vocal range and a stage presence that drew the audience in with each line. Lambert — careful not to mimic Mercury — brought his own artistry and interpretation to the music. Specifically, his emotive interpretation of “Who Wants to Live Forever” as well as handling Mercury’s vocals in a duet of “Under Pressure” with Taylor induced goosebumps. It was simply that magnificent. Lambert’s interpretation of “Killer Queen” was another highlight. On the 2014 tour, Lambert performed the song while on sofa. This time, he emerged from below the stage seated on the head of “Frank,” the robot that adorns the cover of Queen’s 1977 album “News of the World” (celebrating its 40th anniversary this year). Lambert’s theatrical background came into play on this number as Lambert delivered it with a sparkle in his eyes and just a touch of vamping — the kind you’d expect in a small Broadway theater. The robot was an important piece of the show, building momentum before the musicians took the stage as his giant hands broke through the set, lifting up the stage to reveal the band, with Lambert teasing the crowd with a snippet of “We Will Rock You” before crashing into “Hammer Will Fail.” The payoff of “We are the Champions” (complete with Lambert wearing his deserved crown) would come later, but there was plenty to enjoy before then. With his leather jacket, sunglasses, and well-heeled shoes (we counted five costume changes throughout the night), Lambert was every bit the rock star, tearing through classics like “Stone Cold Crazy,” owning the catwalk while strutting to “Another One Bites the Dust,” and riding a tricycle for “Bicycle Race.” By the time “Fat Bottomed Girls” came around, the group had the Prudential Center in a singalong frenzy. A stellar May guitar solo — one of many — took things to 11. Lambert wasn’t the only one at the microphone. Taylor, who celebrated his 68th birthday on Wednesday night, mesmerized on the track “I’m in Love With My Car” (from “A Night at the Opera,” and the B-side to “Bohemian Rhapsody”). He later faced off with Warren on an epic drum battle and enjoyed a moment of surprise as Lambert led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday.” May, also 68, scaled things back a bit seated with an acoustic guitar for a lovely version of “Love of My Life,” a beautiful moment that superimposed Mercury singing the last lines on the screen beside the guitarist. Said May: “I think a good song should never die.” Truer words were never spoken. Photos by Michael Roszkowski
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 29, 2017 10:28:24 GMT -5
BROOKLYN, New York, USA - Barclay's Center- July 28, 2017jakes-take.com/2017/07/queen-adam-lambert-wow-barclays-center/ Queen + Adam Lambert wow Barclays Center July 29, 2017 By Jacob Elyachar I have been looking to see Queen + Adam Lambert perform together ever since I talked to concertgoers at the 2015 Mix 93.3 Jingle Jam in Kansas City. They told me that it was epic and the performance would take my breath away. It turns out; they were 1,000 percent correct! Thousands of fans flocked to the Barclays Center to watch Queen + Adam Lambert perform in the Brooklyn arena for the first time. It was impeccable watching that this pairing united different generations of fans. I ran into a couple who have already seen multiple dates on the group’s current North American tour, and I was sandwiched in between two people who stated to me that they saw the band’s iconic front man, the late Freddie Mercury, multiple times during Queen’s classic years. When the band took the stage around 8:45 PM, the group strutted with a mini version of “We Will Rock You” and then transitioned into classic tunes such as “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Fat Bottom Girls.” Adam Lambert told the crowd that he was honored to perform with two of his legendary band members: the iconic guitarist Dr. Brian May and singer-drummer Roger Taylor. The audience roared with pure delight when Adam shared his admiration for the late Freddie Mercury. “One of the things that I loved the most about Freddie is that no matter what if he got up on stage, sat down for interviews or anywhere he went in life if anyone raised an eyebrow at him or gave him shit about anything, he DIDN’T CARE!” said Lambert. “He was an absolute rock star, in fact, Freddie did not give two expletives.” After Lambert and the band performed “Two Fux,” the band dug deeper into the Queen songbook and performed “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “Bicycle Race.” During “Bicycle Race,” a flamboyant pink bicycle with roses attached appeared from under the stage and Adam rode it throughout the song. Once, the bike left the scene, Dr. May performed a memorable guitar solo, and Adam showcased an epic vocal warm-up before leading the audience into a rousing version of “I Want It All.” As Lambert went backstage to change his outfit, Dr. May walked out to the center of the band’s rock guitar stage and performed the poignant “Love of My Life.” It was impeccable to see the hundreds of cell phone lights that shined while Dr. May played the A Night from the Opera track, which featured footage of the late singer. That moment gave me chills, and I admit that I teared up when I saw the Freddie Mercury footage, which was the position to the right of his longtime friend. Lambert returned to the stage to join Dr. May and Roger Taylor on his quest for finding “Somebody to Love.” Over the past few years, there have been many talented talent competition singers such as America’s Got Talent Brian Justin Crum, The Voice: Season Nine champion Jordan Smith, and friend to the blog and X Factor USA alum Rachel Potter, have performed their show-stopping interpretation of the tune. But, none of them have come close to interpret the song like the American Idol alum.(Photo property of Jake’s Take)While May and Lambert left the stage, Roger Taylor dueled touring musician Tyler Warren in an epic drum battle, before dedicating “Under Pressure,” to the late David Bowie. After Taylor had returned to the stage, the group performed the energetic emancipation track “I Want to Break Free,” while Lambert shined when he sang the haunting and maybe underrated “Who Wants to Live Forever.” The concert’s decrescendo led to three of Queen’s signature songs and the massive sing-along session I have ever seen as the band closed out the night with “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “We Are the Champions.” Final thoughts and grade: Queen + Adam Lambert was one of the most epic concerts I have ever seen! Both Brian May and Roger Taylor are still at the top of their game, while Adam Lambert continues to carve out a place at the upper part of his generation’s best vocalists. If you have a chance to see this outstanding tour while it is still in North America or overseas in Europe, make sure you check out this astonishing show! A+
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maya
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Post by maya on Jul 29, 2017 17:52:27 GMT -5
BROOKLYN, New York, USA - Barclay's Center- July 28, 2017www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2017/07/29/review-queen-adam-lambert/522483001/?siteID=je6NUbpObpQ-GUkIORuaAIQxtETcN2YBKwReview: Queen, Adam Lambert honor Freddie Mercury at rousing N.Y. show Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY Published 10:07 a.m. ET July 29, 2017 | Updated 12:24 p.m. ET July 29, 2017Photo: Phillip Chin, WireImage)NEW YORK – Adam Lambert wants to get one thing out of the way. “I know what some of you diehard fans are saying: ‘He’s no Freddie Mercury,’ “ Lambert said early into Queen’s dazzling concert at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center Friday night. “No (expletive).” It was the first of many nods to the late Mercury, whose singular voice and boundless charisma helped Queen become one of the most popular bands of the 20th century. Lambert, 35, clearly felt the weight of expectation going into Friday’s performance, despite having sang with the English rockers’ current lineup (which includes original members Brian May and Roger Taylor) since 2011. But the former American Idol contestant needn’t have worried. On Queen’s current North American tour — which continues Sunday in Philadelphia and wraps Aug. 5 in Houston — Lambert is a more than competent Mercury stand-in, bringing pop-punk snarl and a superhuman vocal range to fan favorites such as We Are the Champions, I Want It All and Who Wants to Live Forever, an emotional evening highlight that, like Under Pressure before it, left many concertgoers dewy-eyed. Lambert also emulated Mercury’s flamboyant style, rocking a multitude of costume changes throughout the two-hour set that included glittery high-heeled boots, tight leather vests, and one particularly memorable hot-pink, flower-embroidered ensemble, which he happily declared “the gayest suit you’ve ever seen.” Slinking down the guitar-shaped catwalk, gyrating across the stage and pedaling on a rose-covered bike for – you guessed it – Bicycle Race, Lambert exuded raw energy and dynamic showmanship, even when his self-confessed “dad jokes” earned more groans than guffaws. But the night was as much about Queen co-founders Taylor, 68, and May, 70, who each got moments to shine. Perched behind his drum kit, Taylor was in fine voice on his electrifying hit I’m in Love with My Car and later dueted with Lambert on Under Pressure, which he dedicated to the song's late co-writer and vocalist, David Bowie. Shortly after, May slowed it down for an acoustic Love of My Life, a longtime Queen concert staple for which he sat on a stool at the edge of the stage. “This is a song I used to sing with Freddie,” May said as he introduced the ballad, finishing off the performance by taking a snapshot of the virtually sold-out crowd with a selfie stick. Projections of Mercury accompanied Love of My Life and singalong closer Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned deafening cheers as brief clips of the rock icon (who died in 1991 of complications from AIDS) flashed across the screen. The arena concert was bolstered by flashy production values, including massive, rotating lighting rigs, confetti canons and a giant robot’s head that rose up from under the stage. But it was the reverence to Queen’s past, along with Lambert’s generosity and magnetism, that ultimately made it such a satisfying evening for the band’s longtime fans.
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