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Post by pi on Jul 18, 2017 17:13:10 GMT -5
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Post by pi on Jul 18, 2017 17:14:19 GMT -5
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Post by pi on Jul 18, 2017 17:20:28 GMT -5
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Post by pi on Jul 18, 2017 17:21:51 GMT -5
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Post by 4EverAdam on Jul 18, 2017 17:21:54 GMT -5
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Post by cassie on Jul 18, 2017 17:22:18 GMT -5
While we wait for tonight's show, I thought I would post my long delayed response to my Chicago QAL experience. ( Sorry, but family business kept me away from the computer and without free time until now.)
It goes without saying that it was amazing, but, I just have to say IT WAS AMAZING! Full arena of fans young and old, who cheered, clapped and sang loudly for the entire concert. Imaginative, state-of-the-art staging and special effects. An exceptionally well-designed, well run sound system. LOUD, of course, but with no distortions, muddiness or feedback. It was crisp and clear with wonderful bass sounds that one felt as much as heard. We had great seats aligned with the second stage, stage right, in the first tier. Remarkably close, plus the mega screens gave very clear close-ups.
The show was very well conceived and paced. Almost no down time or lulls between songs. A few moments of conversation with the audience, but mostly just one hit song flowing into the other seamlessly. A few reviewers have commented that the show started a little slowly, but by the fourth song, they had the audience in the palms of their hands. I think there are two reasons for that. The first is the shock and awe of the opening and the set, lights and sound. It takes a while to process the enormity of it. Secondly, many in the audience were not familiar with Hammer to Fall or Stone Cold Crazy. When they heard the beginning of Another One Bites the Dust, however, they were ready to join in, and by Fat Bottomed Girls, were singing at the tops of their lungs. Our boy had, at my count, seven different outfits during the show. That might even beat out Freddie, don’t you think? In some past shows, I have not been enamored by his fashion sense, but every outfit this time fit him, ehem, let’s say, “very well”, and he looked HOT, and I’m not talking just temperature.
Now, for the performances. Perhaps my first impression was “precision!” Everyone hitting their marks exactly, all the time. Playing and singing very much in unison, like a well-rehearsed, long-time together unit of extremely proficient and talented musicians. I could hear and see no sign that Brian or Roger have slowed down in the slightest, or lost any of their prodigious skills. The new second drummer is not only highly skilled on percussion, but also contributes strong, high harmonies to the mix.
My second impression was FUN! The show was designed to evoke good feelings of humor, sexiness, nostalgia, dance fever, and audience participation. The overall emotion permeating the show for the audience, and, equally for the artists, was JOY. We felt it in the audience, and saw it in the performers’ faces, movements, and interactions. (This is very much the Adam, Brian and Roger show, tho’. Spike, Neil, and Tyler played very well, but had minimal interaction with the leads or with the audience.) Adam has drawn Brian out of his sometimes stoic, workmanlike persona of his earlier concerts. Brian is having a great time interacting with Adam, playing straight man for Adam, and joining Adam in relating to the audience. I could see amusement and playfulness on Brian’s face multiple times throughout the concert.
When I first mentioned “precision” you might think that would make the show somewhat cold and aloof, even sterile. That is the furthest thing from the truth. We got precision, yes. But also fun and joy and playfulness and passion for the music and the legacy. The show was living, breathing, alive and soaring.
As for Adam? He goes from strength to strength, doesn’t he? I thought he was wonderful in 2011, in their premiere performance. I thought he was so accomplished in the 2012 mini-tour. I thought he had matured into a confident, strong frontman with prodigious vocal skills in his previous tours with Queen. This time around? Stunning. Totally in control, in command of the stage and the audience. He dominates that stage, yet also makes sure that Brain and Roger get the recognition and focus they deserve. He has that musical theater talent of throwing focus to Brian when Adam is not singing.
Adam’s confidence and comfort are palpable: an aura that reaches out to the back of the arena. He 150% owns this. He has crafted a show where he has the opportunity to reveal a variety of personalities: tough, macho, punchy rock god; campy, theatrical, silly nerd; humble, enthusiastic, respectful fan of Queen and Freddie; raunchy sexy siren; and king of his dominion and his subjects.
Adam’s voice has (I didn’t think it possible) even more power, control and resonance than what I have heard previously. He just knows precisely (there’s that word again) what his wants to do and what he is doing at every given moment. Yet, he still leaves room for improv, playfulness and interpretation. His voice live sounds even higher than in recordings. It has so much ring, so many high harmonics, so much presence. Is that due to the character of his voice or the excellence of the sound system? I believe it is both. The Queen repertoire has taken up residence in his body, and he can fully live it spontaneously. Adam is totally in his element. He was born to be part of this collaboration, this show, this moment in time.
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Post by pi on Jul 18, 2017 17:23:16 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2017 17:25:26 GMT -5
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Post by pi on Jul 18, 2017 17:32:56 GMT -5
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