Concert memories to kill live music nostalgia
On one of my last live show experiences, I had the chance to see Queen with Adam Lambert playing Freddie's role. I miss the feel but reminiscing that day always helps with the blues.
It was a rainy day in Brisbane. I bought field tickets to be closer to the band and get entirely wet for 2 hrs. The adventure itself was ridiculous, but to say that the show wasn't great would be a massive lie.
The extreme rain made it even more epic, and the sound and stage quality was just as I've dreamed of and more. Here's all about this ridiculous and memorable experience that took me to their Bohemian Rhapsody tour beginning 2020.
What do you mean Queen playing Live?
The royal band got back into touring with their newest American edition in 2012, kicking off with a European tour and then a fair few worldwide shows that started in 2014.
They made it to Australia in early 2018 when I arrived back in the country to start the second leg of my "down under" trip. Then, I had no job and thought it wouldn't be a responsible thing to spend the last part of my savings in one concert.
Very soon after I found a job and regretted that decision for a year and a half, until they announced a new tour –just after the release of Bohemian Rhapsody, the movie. Got my tickets the day they came out and waited until that day for my dream to come through.
Great planning!
A show this size could only fit in so many venues, so the immense Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane was chosen. It had a massive field section filled with hundreds of plastic chairs, and the outer area was a regular seating section.
Those who really wanna be closer to any band will generally buy those field tickets, so there I was. Seeing my dream fulfilled in a section that had absolutely no coverage and no elevation for better viewing, but as much rain as you could ever ask for.
Brissy had been pouring non-stop for weeks, and that night wasn't the exception.
As I was raised in a city with all 4seasons-in-one-day, I've never been much for checking the weather before. Unfortunately, Queensland's heavy rain is nothing like home's.
Nevertheless, I got lent an Umbrella from my hostel reception, to ease up the 10 minutes walk to get there. So there I was, feeling like the luckiest person ever thinking the rain will only follow me until I get inside.
After a 20 min hold-up between gates, other hundreds of impatient spectators and I managed to run to the field section and start the hunt for our seats.
Suncorp's amazing team did as much as pointing us to the seating area. Hundreds of seats were waiting for us, the music was already playing, and people started getting even more impatient.
Lucky me again, found mine at the end of the row, so just opened my umbrella and got ready to enjoy the show.
A few people arriving even later interrupted my moment a couple of times. Still, nothing was going to mess up my night, not even the stadium's poor organization and their little help to all the running people trying to find their seats.
You can't use an umbrella
My seat was among the first rows – even though I'm pretty small– so I still tried to keep my umbrella as far away from my neighbours as possible and standing close to the aisle, as much as I could. Unfortunately, the lady behind was not happy with that either.
Nevertheless, I was in my Queen mode and wasn't gonna come out of it, unless absolutely necessary.
Imagined the rain would stop after a while, but it never did, It only got stronger. Tried changing its angle from time to time, to keep a bit more than just my face cover, but at that stage, I was happy with merely being able to see without rain in my eyes. Was already too late for my clothes.
After almost an hour or so in, a staff member came to me to tell me to close my umbrella, cause they're not allowed in the field.
So there I was, surprised and even wetter, trying to use my hands to cover my drink and the other one for my face. Still, nothing was gonna mess up my night.
Even with all of that, I still believe it was one of the best concerts I've been in my life, and I enjoyed it so much, even though it might sound like it wasn't.
What a trifecta
I had been waiting for this event since the first time I read somewhere that Queen was touring again and this time with Adam Lambert on the vocals. I've loved him since I saw him coming out of American Idol.
As much as the crowd showed up knowing the tour included a new acquisition playing Freddie Mercury's role, Adam was careful. He introduced himself as a Freddie fan, just like all of us in the audience, reminding us that he wasn't in any way trying to replace him.
Have to admit I was slightly worried about people not falling for the Adam act. Still, Brian and Roger made sure he was appreciated enough and that all three of them shared the spotlight pretty much equally. Quite an achievement when you have a lead singer with a lung capacity as extraordinary as Lambert's, to be honest,
A few guitar solos from Dr Brian May and drum's legend, Roger Taylor, reminded you that the main act was them. That the original Queen members are still them and that most of their fans were there to see them.
And there he went, Indiana's born took that stage like a supporting actor but won everyone's hearts over even from the first songs, like a real lead.
His stage presence was as remarkable as you can see on his solo gigs. Always making an impression and keeping slightly shy and respectful participation, at the same time.
Like that, he assured extremely loyal Freddie fans won't get offended, whilst honouring each one of Queen's original songs, sang with a powerful and passionate talent.
Some hologram appearances from Freddy himself got us all a bit nostalgic and kept the show diverse and highly entertaining. Meanwhile, the live members performed in the smaller stage, to be closer to the crowd and yeah, to get a bit wet like the rest of us.
A few jokes and technical issues due to the rain kept it all more real and fun and turned it into an all-around perfect concert. The constant standing ovations weren't enough response to their crazy fantastic talent, all their classics and an excellent time. I'm just grateful for having the chance to be a part of it.
