Queen + Adam Lambert
17th February 2018
Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Bridget Herlihy. Photography by Doug Peters.
Even with the annual Pride Parade taking place in Ponsonby, Spark Arena was the hottest place to be on a muggy summer’s night, both literally and metaphorically, as the mighty Queen and Adam Lambert turned the heat up even further with a scorcher of a show. A full house for the first night of Queen’s two Auckland shows was proof that their appeal has anything but waned during the band’s four decade career as throngs of the arena for a night of pure, unadulterated rock n’ roll.
Having received rave reviews last time they visited in 2014, anticipation was running high for a show that promised to deliver a state of the art production. And it certainly did not fall short of expectations. In fact, it surpassed them, time and time again. This was far more than just a greatest hits set; it truly was a special kind of magic that delivered a feast for both the ears and the eyes. A convex screed emblazoned with Queen + Adam Lambert stretched from one end of the stage to the other, with a catwalk that stretched a third of the length of the arena signalled an up close and personal show, and they did not disappoint. From the moment they appeared onstage the band had the audience enthralled.
And what followed was a two-hour walk down the proverbial memory lane; a set of verifiable greatest hits delivered with an unrelenting momentum that had a fair portion of the audience dancing and singing at the top of their lungs in a nod to the reckless abandon of yesteryear. Opening with the infamous beat of We Will Rock You, the band quickly segued into Hammer To Fall from 1984 album The Works, which was quickly followed by a blazing rendition of Stone Cold Crazy. The songs came thick and fast for the first portion of the show, but it wasn’t until the ending of Fat Bottomed Girls that Lambert addressed the crowd, imploring all his “sisters, all the fat bottomed bitches” to get in their bikes, which he quickly clarified was indeed a term of endearment. Lambert is hands down an enthralling front man who almost effortlessly commanded and maintained the audience’s attention for the duration of the show. With no less than six costume changes, Lambert not only brought the vocal power but also looked every inch the rock star. Yet Lambert is no diva. Rather he appears humble and grateful for his position as the vocalist of one of the world’s most adored rock bands in history, pausing during the show to admit that even after five years of performing with Queen that he still needs to pinch himself on a daily basis. Lambert also took the time for a heartfelt nod to the late and lamented Freddie Mercury, acknowledging his unique and charismatic character, reinforcing that there will indeed “never be another Freddie”.
Mercury’s memory was well and truly alive throughout the show, making several appearances in archival footage on the convex screen suspended above the stage as his distinctive vocals filled the arena. The legendary Brian May too paid his own personal tribute, asking the audience if they love and miss Freddie, which of course was met with a resounding YES and screams of adoration, before May, perched on a stool at the end of the catwalk with a 12 string guitar in hand, launched into an exquisite acoustic performance of Love Of My Life, complete with Freddie’s vocals playing for the final chorus. This is a band that not only acknowledges but embraces both their past and their present, without falling into the trap of a clichéd tribute.
The show had so many spectacular moments that the mind boggles trying to recall them all; from Lambert sitting on top of a large robot’s head that emerged from underneath the stage (his name is Frank and apparently he “gives good head”); May rising high above the stage to deliver a lengthy, soaring guitar solo to end all guitar solos; Roger Taylor taking over vocal duties on parts of Under Pressure and It’s A Kind Of Magic; more guitar solos and drums solos; smoke machines, confetti canons, and one of the most impressive light shows you are likely to have ever seen. Who Wants To Live Forever, complete with a jaw-dropping prismatic lighting effect, was equal parts hypnotising and sheer magic.
And of course no performance from Queen would be complete without Bohemian Rhapsody, which masterfully mixed in vocals and images from the track’s original video clip in the middle of the song. Closing the evening on the Uplifting We Are The Champions, with both Lambert and May adorned in rock-inspired royal outfits, ending the evening on an absolute high. Never has the timeless quality of Queen been more evident than now, as their music continues to resonate with a new generation. This is a show that is not to be missed. If you haven’t got a ticket to tonight’s second show at Spark Arena, make haste. Queen will indeed rock you, and they will rock you hard.
Were you there at Spark Arena for this magnificent classic rock gig? Or have you seen Queen or Adam Lambert perform live sometime else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
There is one more chance to catch Queen + Adam Lambert in New Zealand, with another show tonight (18th February 2018) at Spark Arena, Auckland. There are limited tickets still available from Ticketmaster, but get in quick as it’s sure to sell out!
Setlist:
- We will rock you (prelude)
- Hammer To Fall
- Stone Cold Crazy
- Tie Your Mother Down
- Another One Bites The Dust
- Fat Bottomed Girls
- Killer Queen
- Don’t Stop Me Now/I Want To Ride My Bicycle
- I’m In Love With My Car [Roger Taylor vocals]
- Get Down Make Love
- I Want It All
- Love Of My Life (acoustic)
- Somebody To Love
- This Thing Called Love
- Under Pressure [Roger Taylor sings Bowie parts]
- It’s A Kind of Magic [Roger Taylor vocals]
- What Do You Want From Me [Adam Lambert]
- I Want To Break Free
- Guitar solo
- Radio Gaga
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- Freddie [encore]
- We Will Rock you [encore]
- We Are The Champions [encore]
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