Date: Tuesday 13th January 2015
Venue: Metro Radio Arena (Newcastle, UK)
The best thing about this concert had to be that it didn’t go on sale a year in advance it was a couple of months before the actual date. Which I think should be done more often as you don’t have to wait as long for the gig to actually happen. The very well done performance on New Year’s Eve was at a prime time just a couple of weeks before the UK leg of the European tour started. Newcastle was the opening night of the Tour which again made it even more exciting!
I have been a fan of Queen’s music since I can remember having had the songs played a lot when I was a small child and then really beginning to appreciate it in my teens. I do believe a lot of my birthday/house parties used to be around Queen songs and Don’t Stop Me Now was always the biggest hit with everyone. I really do see that as one of my all time favorite songs, it’s just how you want to see your life everyday. Not that it works but a good song to try to use!
Now Adam Lambert I have been a fan of since I saw him in the final of American Idol back in 2009, I was living in New Jersey at the time and we somehow got the final live on TV. He was incredible, the voice, the performance, I couldn’t actually believe that he was only runner-up in that competition. He was one of the best singers and all round performers I had ever seen on a TV talent show, especially the UK ones. I from then on followed his career and have a lot of his music. I had heard very good reports when he was touring with Queen in the US, a very good friend had attended one of the dates.
I was therefore extremely excited when it was announced that a European and more importantly for myself that a UK tour was going to happen. I had to get tickets and managed the day they went on sale, standing of course who want’s to go to a rock gig and sit down?!?!?! Obviously got there in plenty of time and a standard gig t-shirt. I must also add that my dad even agreed to come with me, he has only ever been to one gig ‘The Eagles’ back in the 90’s. He just refuses to see anyone live, so that is something in itself that he even went!
Who doesn’t want to be able to say that they have seen Brian May play live? Well I am pleased that I can now say just that. He had some very emotional moments, and probably will sound quite strange to say that his best moments came from playing an acoustic guitar. He got into the North East Spirit with a little sing along to ‘Fog on the Tyne’ before going on to sing ‘Love of My Life’ and Freddie made an appearance on the big screen too.
The lighting was fantastic and really was put together brilliantly with the songs and a lot of energy was felt both from the stage and the rest of the crowd. The crowd that was standing of course, I couldn’t believe some people did not stand up once from the seating areas, I mean it was a rock concert what was happening with those people?!?! Surely I cannot be alone in this, but if ‘Radio Gaga’. ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘We Are The Champions’ will not get you up out of your seat clapping and jumping around then I really don’t get attending a gig.
Adam Lambert. Where to start? I thoroughly enjoyed his owning of the stage throughout the different songs and strutting around. He was flamboyant and looked like he was having the time of his life. It’s pointless me trying to compare him to Freddie Mercury, as obviously with my age I had no chance of seeing the great man live so only caught recordings of that. But Adam was brilliant, some of the routines were fantastic. The stand out has to be ‘Killer Queen’ when he stepped it up a gear and to another level looking like a complete showman then on, he had the crowd going and on his side. Yes I think I may have fallen in love with him a bit as well. The energy was incredible.
You can see the set list below and it really does have such incredible songs as part of it. Exactly what you want to hear at a Queen concert. I am sure you could have a 5 hour show and still one of your favorite songs could be missed out. But will so many legendary songs you will not be disappointed if you are going to be lucky enough to catch any of the later dates of this tour.
Bohemian Rhapsody is always the big one, it’s an amazing song and I think they way they have Freddie on the screen and splitting the lyrics with Lambert really was such a good honor to his memory and the song. With the parts of the music video mixed in as well. The only thing with it was that it just suddenly started without any prior warning, which may sound a little strange but I expected them to wind it up a little bit more really. (Which is something they done at the start of We Will Rock You).
It truly was a fantastic night that will live long in my memory that is for sure. I hope this union long continues as I would certainly love to see them again in the future. Proud to be at the opening UK date and wish I was going to do it all over again. Long live the Queen!
Set List
One Vision
I Want It All
Another One Bites The Dust
Fat Bottomed Girls
Lap Of The Gods
Seven Seas Of Rhye
Killer Queen
Don’t Stop Me Now
Somebody To Love
Love Of My Life
’39
A Kind Of Magic
Drum Battle
Under Pressure
Save Me
Who Wants To Live Forever
Guitar Solo
Tie Your Mother Down
I Want To Break Free
Radio Ga Ga
Bohemian Rhapsody
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Stone Cold Crazy
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
We Will Rock You
We Are The Champions
