Concert review: Queen featuring Adam Lambert

[mystixboi]

Last night, my wife and I got to see Queen featuring Adam Lambert. We met up with some friends for drinks first and then headed over to the venue. Curtain time on the ticket said 730, but they went on around 815. That could be expected.

When they started off, Adam’s energy was way low. His singing sounded fine, but he just stood there. I’ve seen him live before and he was all over the stage. After about the 3rd song though, his energy kicked up and he was on fire for the rest of the night. People say that Adam is no Freddie… and he’s not. He even admitted it. He made sure to say, “there was only one Freddie Mercury…”.

Here’s a quick list of highlights:

1. Adam’s voice… holy hell. This guy has got pipes… pitch, feel and tone was dead on. I think he’s one of the best singers out there… places where Freddie would have to go to Falsetto or sing lower live, Adam nailed them full voice. He used his falsetto to add color and texture, but his voice is just so strong. It’s almost super human.
2. “Somebody To Love” and “Who Wants to Live Forever” literally gave me chills.
3. Brian May’s tone – another highlight of the night. He had some of the sweetest guitar tone I’ve ever heard. It was warm and at times sounded like a cello during leads. Completely gorgeous tone.
4. Brian’s acoustic playing during “Love of My Life”… some of the most gorgeous playing I’ve ever heard… period. No shred, just beautiful phrasing and subtle chord melodies.
5. SPOILER: if you are planning to go to the concert, you may not want to read this. During “Love of My Life” and “Bohemian Rhapsody”, they had a video of Freddie Mercury singing the parts in concert. So the band was playing, but Freddie was singing. I got chills. And at the end of “Love of My Life” he smiled and pointed down to where Brian May was sitting. So it looked like he was acknowledging Brian May at the end of the song.

Here’s a quick list of “lowlights”:

1. They didn’t feature Adam enough… there were moments of the show where he wasn’t on the stage for up to 20 minutes or so because they were either having Paul sing “Days of Our Lives”(with a completely shot voice) or Brian May was doing his super long guitar solo. It had beautiful melodies at times, but was mostly featuring him using a delay pedal… just noise.
2. Reverb/Delay/Echo on Adam’s voice. Adam has a musical theater background and knows how to annunciate and articulate when he sings, but I could barely understand what he said for the first few songs. Annoying.
3. Brian May’s lead tone… as much as I thought his guitar tone was amazing, there were moments where he had too much treble boost on. It was like a knife picking at my ears. And he was pretty damn loud in the mix… so much so that I couldn’t hear the cymbals…. Yes… that’s right. I couldn’t hear the cymbals.

All in all, it was a fantastic entertaining show… the energy did vary at times. I found Brian and Paul a bit self-indulgent with their portions of the show. But it is THEIR band so I guess they have that right. If you get a chance to see them in concert, you should check them out. Definitely worth it!!!

Here’s the setlist:


1. Now I'm Here
2. Stone Cold Crazy
3. Another One Bites the Dust
4. Fat Bottomed Girls
5. In the Lap of the Gods... Revisited
6. Seven Seas of Rhye
7. Killer Queen
8. Somebody to Love
9. I Want It All
10. Love of My Life
11. '39
12. These Are the Days of Our Lives
13. Bass Solo
14. Drum Solo
15. Under Pressure
16. Love Kills
17. Who Wants to Live Forever
18. Guitar Solo
19. Tie Your Mother Down
20. Radio Ga Ga
21. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
22. The Show Must Go On
23. Bohemian Rhapsody

Encore:
24. We Will Rock You
25. We Are the Champions

 

[Rachel Ann]

That was a fair review. I attended the Montreal concert and would have made the exact same comments- same highlights, same lowlights. I know it's Queen's show, but Brian's guitar solo went on WAY too long! He's a great guitarist, but we knew that going in...still much too long. If he had even cut his solo time in half, it would have allowed for a couple more songs to be added, which was sorely needed to keep up the momentum of the show. Still, overall it was still worthwhile attending, and I give Brian and Roger a lot of credit for touring at their ages. And Adam Lambert? Fantastic addition to Queen.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I think he is a fine singer BUT he tends to go into a range where his falsetto and higher registrar singing, makes him sound like a woman. That's great and all if he has an identity crisis, but don't go there because you can. Pretty sure he can hit a lot of notes up there without sounding like a chick. Besides that, he's got a presence and can sing. Good review.

 

[Rachel Ann]

That's because he starts in the wrong key sometimes- and it's usually too high to bring out the strongest range in his voice- which is what he needs to bring to the table to sing for Queen. Any song can be sung in any key, but too many times he starts one key too high for what works best for his range, putting him in that "girlie" sound range that you mentioned. You can really hear it when he starts out in "Who Wants to Live Forever", one of my favorites from him, actually, when he sings it in the correct key for his voice. Listen to how he starts one step too high-it makes all the difference. I also hear it with Radio Ga Ga in a big way- it just zaps the power right out of his voice when he starts off wrong. I don't think he does it deliberately- I just don't think he understands the difference it makes. I'm not criticizing him, because I think he has a fantastic voice and I've followed his career closely, but he needs either a vocal coach or at least someone on a piano to show him what he's doing. He can correct this easily, but someone needs to bring it to his attention who has his best interests at heart. Some of his fans claim he is a "classically trained" vocalist, which I think is ridiculous...he's had no real training of any substance, from what I can tell, but he does have plenty of experience singing- but that's different. That said, I think he does really well and still sounds great most of the time. Regardless, I love listening to him sing- even when it's not in the ideal key for him.

 

[charveldan]

Nothing sez Rock n Roll more than this ...

 

[supersonic]

^ You are the only true rock God Dan, You, your LP and your Marshall in your loungeroom! Fugwit!

 

[Lution]

Nothing sez Rock n Roll more than this ...

and this...

 

[maddnotez]

That's because he starts in the wrong key sometimes- and it's usually too high to bring out the strongest range in his voice- which is what he needs to bring to the table to sing for Queen. Any song can be sung in any key, but too many times he starts one key too high for what works best for his range, putting him in that "girlie" sound range that you mentioned. You can really hear it when he starts out in "Who Wants to Live Forever", one of my favorites from him, actually, when he sings it in the correct key for his voice. Listen to how he starts one step too high-it makes all the difference. I also hear it with Radio Ga Ga in a big way- it just zaps the power right out of his voice when he starts off wrong. I don't think he does it deliberately- I just don't think he understands the difference it makes. I'm not criticizing him, because I think he has a fantastic voice and I've followed his career closely, but he needs either a vocal coach or at least someone on a piano to show him what he's doing. He can correct this easily, but someone needs to bring it to his attention who has his best interests at heart. Some of his fans claim he is a "classically trained" vocalist, which I think is ridiculous...he's had no real training of any substance, from what I can tell, but he does have plenty of experience singing- but that's different. That said, I think he does really well and still sounds great most of the time. Regardless, I love listening to him sing- even when it's not in the ideal key for him.

WHERE did this person come from?

Well idk if this was a real question or not.

If it is and you are curious he was some kid who was on American Idol a few years back.

My wife used to make me watch some of that stuff and while Adam did not win American Idol, he absolutely should have and I have no idea how he did not. It was like watching the poll results for Obama's second term.

Anyway he placed 2nd I think but this guy was a monster. Seriously one of if not the best singers I have ever heard on that show and he tore the stage apart on top of that.

He was signed after to some label and they built a band for him and if I am not mistaken it was a huge flop.

The music was really weird and he came out of the closet.

He really needed an energetic band like Aerosmith or something to fit I think.

I did not know he was with Queen, pretty odd considering they are all seniors and he is probably in his early 20's but still a much better fit I would think than the Adam Lambert band. I thought they were horrible and it did not allow him to shine. The dude can definitely sing.

 

[charveldan]

Freddies gHeyness was never an issue, the dewd flat out rocked.

Lambert on the otherhand is so outspoken being gHey that it taints the brand IMO.

I don't wanna know who ur fecking or see you kiss another dewd on TV, just play music.

Only thing good out of american idol IMO is Kelly Clarkson & Carrie Underwood and they have run their course.

 

[mystixboi]

i love how some people's contribution to this thread are adam's homosexuality

so being too open about being gay is a problem for some people?

he flat our rocks... bottom line

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

That's because he starts in the wrong key sometimes- and it's usually too high to bring out the strongest range in his voice- which is what he needs to bring to the table to sing for Queen. Any song can be sung in any key, but too many times he starts one key too high for what works best for his range, putting him in that "girlie" sound range that you mentioned. You can really hear it when he starts out in "Who Wants to Live Forever", one of my favorites from him, actually, when he sings it in the correct key for his voice. Listen to how he starts one step too high-it makes all the difference. I also hear it with Radio Ga Ga in a big way- it just zaps the power right out of his voice when he starts off wrong. I don't think he does it deliberately- I just don't think he understands the difference it makes. I'm not criticizing him, because I think he has a fantastic voice and I've followed his career closely, but he needs either a vocal coach or at least someone on a piano to show him what he's doing. He can correct this easily, but someone needs to bring it to his attention who has his best interests at heart. Some of his fans claim he is a "classically trained" vocalist, which I think is ridiculous...he's had no real training of any substance, from what I can tell, but he does have plenty of experience singing- but that's different. That said, I think he does really well and still sounds great most of the time. Regardless, I love listening to him sing- even when it's not in the ideal key for him.

WHERE did this person come from?

Actually, I don't think that statement was that far out. He probably does start out too high and has no place to go but higher up into the "feminine" registrars (if you will). If he could reign that in and not think so much "diva" when he goes high, he could definitely bring the goods consistently.

 

[maddnotez]

i love how some people's contribution to this thread are adam's homosexuality

so being too open about being gay is a problem for some people?

he flat our rocks... bottom line

I think I'm with Charvel Dan on this one. I saw the same performance and I thought the same thing.

If he rocks than he should just rock. If he wants to tell the world he likes the rod, fine..

But he used it as a publicity stunt and that was pretty lame. I, like Dan don't wanna see dudes make out on stage when I go to see a band and I don't care who they're fucking.

I guess it's a good fit with Queen but I don't remember seeing or hearing about Freddie making out with guys on stage.

Edit: being too open does bother me, oh well. I don't like it, my decision.

I wouldn't call it homophobe either because while watching 2 women make out is something I like to see, I still wouldn't want to see it during a bands performance and I damn sure wouldn't want to see it used as a publicity stunt.

 

[Zap]

Nothing sez Rock n Roll more than this ...

and this...

And this!

Oh... Wait...

 

[mystixboi]

i love how some people's contribution to this thread are adam's homosexuality

so being too open about being gay is a problem for some people?

he flat our rocks... bottom line

I think I'm with Charvel Dan on this one. I saw the same performance and I thought the same thing.

If he rocks than he should just rock. If he wants to tell the world he likes the rod, fine..

But he used it as a publicity stunt and that was pretty lame. I, like Dan don't wanna see dudes make out on stage when I go to see a band and I don't care who they're fucking.

I guess it's a good fit with Queen but I don't remember seeing or hearing about Freddie making out with guys on stage.

Edit: being too open does bother me, oh well. I don't like it, my decision.

I wouldn't call it homophobe either because while watching 2 women make out is something I like to see, I still wouldn't want to see it during a bands performance and I damn sure wouldn't want to see it used as a publicity stunt.

errr.... it is homophobic and just because you like watching women do it is somewhat a double standard.

i agree that it might be too much for a band's performance but people said the same thing about gwar and alice cooper when they first started

 

[maddnotez]

i love how some people's contribution to this thread are adam's homosexuality

so being too open about being gay is a problem for some people?

he flat our rocks... bottom line

I think I'm with Charvel Dan on this one. I saw the same performance and I thought the same thing.

If he rocks than he should just rock. If he wants to tell the world he likes the rod, fine..

But he used it as a publicity stunt and that was pretty lame. I, like Dan don't wanna see dudes make out on stage when I go to see a band and I don't care who they're fucking.

I guess it's a good fit with Queen but I don't remember seeing or hearing about Freddie making out with guys on stage.

Edit: being too open does bother me, oh well. I don't like it, my decision.

I wouldn't call it homophobe either because while watching 2 women make out is something I like to see, I still wouldn't want to see it during a bands performance and I damn sure wouldn't want to see it used as a publicity stunt.

errr.... it is homophobic and just because you like watching women do it is somewhat a double standard.

i agree that it might be too much for a band's performance but people said the same thing about gwar and alice cooper when they first started

Now you're just trolling.

I don't care if you're gay but if I went to see your band play and you made out with your singer on stage I would probably never come see your band again.

Same would go for a girl band. I'm there to watch a band and hear music, not sure if you misunderstood what I was saying but it's not a double standard at all.

Wouldn't wanna see guys or girls make out on a music stage.

Also generally not wanting to see two guys make out and wanting to see two girls make out in a non band performance is not a double standard either. It's a sexual preference.

 

[charveldan]

i love how some people's contribution to this thread are adam's homosexuality

so being too open about being gay is a problem for some people?

he flat our rocks... bottom line

I think I'm with Charvel Dan on this one. I saw the same performance and I thought the same thing.

If he rocks than he should just rock. If he wants to tell the world he likes the rod, fine..

But he used it as a publicity stunt and that was pretty lame. I, like Dan don't wanna see dudes make out on stage when I go to see a band and I don't care who they're fucking.

I guess it's a good fit with Queen but I don't remember seeing or hearing about Freddie making out with guys on stage.

Edit: being too open does bother me, oh well. I don't like it, my decision.

I wouldn't call it homophobe either because while watching 2 women make out is something I like to see, I still wouldn't want to see it during a bands performance and I damn sure wouldn't want to see it used as a publicity stunt.

errr.... it is homophobic and just because you like watching women do it is somewhat a double standard.

i agree that it might be too much for a band's performance but people said the same thing about gwar and alice cooper when they first started

Now you're just trolling.

I don't care if you're gay but if I went to see your band play and you made out with your singer on stage I would probably never come see your band again.

Same would go for a girl band. I'm there to watch a band and hear music, not sure if you misunderstood what I was saying but it's not a double standard at all.

Wouldn't wanna see guys or girls make out on a music stage.

Also generally not wanting to see two guys make out and wanting to see two girls make out in a non band performance is not a double standard either. It's a sexual preference.

Mmmmm, no not a preference, U were "born that way" right ?

Nobody's born with a bleeding rectum ... just sayin.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Edit: being too open does bother me, oh well. I don't like it, my decision.

Agreed.. I have a gay person in my family. If someone is gay and wants to talk like a normal person and say they like the rod, that's fine. But to gallavant and prance around using stupid expressions and lisping because you are associating yourself with a social trend that likes to be recognized and needs to draw attention to itself, then you won't get much of my time. They are ridiculous a lot of the time and I have a cut off for the amount I can take. Yes I have had this conversation with the gay person in my family and luckily he is not too far out there.. he calls those "queens". Lambert leans a little more in the "queen" direction but when you hear him talk, he isn't that annoying or theatrical at all. I think that comes out more when he performs unfortunately.

My two cents.

 

[Schaf]

Freddies gHeyness was never an issue, the dewd flat out rocked.

Lambert on the otherhand is so outspoken being gHey that it taints the brand IMO.

I don't wanna know who ur fecking or see you kiss another dewd on TV, just play music.

Only thing good out of american idol IMO is Kelly Clarkson & Carrie Underwood and they have run their course.

You're a real master at spelling.

 

[charveldan]

Freddies gHeyness was never an issue, the dewd flat out rocked.

Lambert on the otherhand is so outspoken being gHey that it taints the brand IMO.

I don't wanna know who ur fecking or see you kiss another dewd on TV, just play music.

Only thing good out of american idol IMO is Kelly Clarkson & Carrie Underwood and they have run their course.

You're a real master at spelling.

Diction has gone way of thee internet.

 

[steve_k]

That's because he starts in the wrong key sometimes- and it's usually too high to bring out the strongest range in his voice- which is what he needs to bring to the table to sing for Queen. Any song can be sung in any key, but too many times he starts one key too high for what works best for his range, putting him in that "girlie" sound range that you mentioned. You can really hear it when he starts out in "Who Wants to Live Forever", one of my favorites from him, actually, when he sings it in the correct key for his voice. Listen to how he starts one step too high-it makes all the difference. I also hear it with Radio Ga Ga in a big way- it just zaps the power right out of his voice when he starts off wrong. I don't think he does it deliberately- I just don't think he understands the difference it makes. I'm not criticizing him, because I think he has a fantastic voice and I've followed his career closely, but he needs either a vocal coach or at least someone on a piano to show him what he's doing. He can correct this easily, but someone needs to bring it to his attention who has his best interests at heart. Some of his fans claim he is a "classically trained" vocalist, which I think is ridiculous...he's had no real training of any substance, from what I can tell, but he does have plenty of experience singing- but that's different. That said, I think he does really well and still sounds great most of the time. Regardless, I love listening to him sing- even when it's not in the ideal key for him.

WHERE did this person come from?

Didn't he win American Idol a few years back?