| Togg 14.10.2008 06:27 |
Arrived nice and early to sit in que F, was with a couple of guys that had been a Nottinham before and were very pumped about seeing them again tonight. Got in pretty much at 6.30 as the doors opened, but didn't need to worry because frankly there was no great rush and plenty of time to wander around. Checked out the kit (as you do) noticed that Roger had changed his Bass Drum back to the Sheishman one from the 2005 tour, the rest of the maple kit was the same. Got a great spot in from of stage b just in front of Roger so well placed for the evening. Overall I thought they were much tighter than 2005, Paul really sang well and it made me almost forget he was not an original member (I know I Know how could I) anyway, Roger was on top form and played better than I have seen him for a good number of years, Briam was incredibly loud... looked rather low though a lot of the gig I thought, but came alive during his solo's, he never looks that happy so how, always seems to be deep in thought... The drum solo was the highlight for me being a drummer! interestingly one of the guys I went with thought Bo Rap was totally naff with a video and should have had Rodgers singing it... I can see both sides, but frankly the crowdjust want Freddie at that point so I guess that's the way it will stay. Just loved the power and energy of the gig, they look rung out at the end, but very happ with the performance, Danny made Roger drop a stick during the bass solo part, which raised a laugh, Al Murrey was, well Al Murrey really... The Cosmos Rocking was a great track to put towards the end, it's just a wonderful live singalone track, lyrics chanded to We got the O2 Rocking... Can't wait till Wembley... Hope rian looks a little happier, I think he enjoyed it, but he seems to concentrate so much that he looks almost depressed some times, were as Roger just goes for it. Crowd sang well and everyone around me was really into it, SOund was just spot on, the O2 is a great venue IMO, much better than Wembley. The light show was good, but not as impressive and older rigs ,pizza and works tour particularly, but the sound was much much better than in thse days. Great night, feeling shattered and have a very sore throat! Roll on Wembley |
| YourValentine 14.10.2008 07:19 |
Thanks for sharing this. About the wandering around before the show: does it mean there is no standing area? Was the arena sold out? |
| Penetration_Guru 14.10.2008 07:44 |
No, it was traditional Arena layout - seats around the outside, standing in the middle. I presume he means he had a couple of minutes to choose his spot, and used them to examine the drumkit from the closest available point. |
| Togg 14.10.2008 07:56 |
Yes it was sold out, the standing area was fairly large and so unless you really wanted to be hanging on to Brian's foot there was scope to walk around and find your way back to where you wanted to be until about half an hour before the show. I have to say I love the O2 as a venue, the sound was just great and the band seemed to really get off on it. turning round during GA GA and WWRY was just amazing watching the whole crowd wave and clap as one. If you were up in the Gods it would have been very high!! but I still think you would have seen a great show. Everyone was very good natured, I was able to leave my bag with sticks, T shirt and programme where I wanted to be and go off to get a beer, getting back to the same spot saved by someone I had never met before. One of the best songs on the night for me was The Show Must Go On... Paul did an amazing job. |
| Crazy LittleThing 14.10.2008 17:10 |
YourValentine wrote: Thanks for sharing this. About the wandering around before the show: does it mean there is no standing area? Was the arena sold out? You should have come, YV. I had two extra tickets in section 112! Good review Togg. Yeah, Queen fans are quite something, aren't they? I agree that Paul's "TSMGO" is very good. I like the 02, but . . . there did seem to be a LOT of echo bouncing off of the back of the arena. I wonder if this bodes ill for the Liverpool gig in ECHO Arena ; ) Next up, Birmingham. Hey! Is CQ (compliance queen) doing this tour? I might have a couple of extra (two) tickets for this one too . . . |
| Oberon 14.10.2008 18:20 |
I was in the Gods at O2 (and was at Nottingham, so much for priority tickets via QPL, but that's a different thread already well done), and it was still good. Would have been nice to have been closer. Might have to go for standing if they do another tour. I know what you mean about Brian. Even his walking around stage seemed leaden and not much of a spring in his step (although Roger wansn't much quicker either). Maybe it's 'cause he's tall and generally holds his head down to interact with people, but it seemed he was in that position loads. Maybe the advancing years mean he has to listen to the monitors etc and concentrate more. Drummers etc might disagree, but I would have thought that while physically Roger's role is more difficult, in terms of concentation, Roger would find it easier because he's obviously got natural rhythm, knows the songs, so probably gets into a groove and it's largely a matter of stamina, while Brian's searching for the spot where he can hear the guitar properly, and is trying to get the best performance going etc. As another observation on Brian being a little "muted", my mate managed to get us backstage after the Nottingham gig and into the green room (most unglamourous by the way - I'm sure the band's rooms were much better), and Brian came in to say hello. He didn't know me from Adam of course, so it was just a quick hello and a handshake, but he looked really beat to me. I know 2+ hours of gig at 61 must be hard, but I didn't ask for an autograph or photo or anything, 'cause I just didn't have the heart to ask (also probably a bit nervous about it I suppose). He did talk to other people more, but I got the impression that he might have known them a little more. The people in there seemed to be family of crew and the band. Rufus Taylor was in there for one!!! Anyway, I thought I'd relay this as I can see where you're coming from in that Brian seems a little weary on this tour. |
| Hitman 16.10.2008 08:46 |
:) the sound at the o2 was fantastic..so clean that i would swear there was something wrong in paul's guitar during seagull..a sort of hiss. Paul did not care, he's a good profesionist and hardly shows when he's uncomfortable. it was lovely to see them playing a "home" gig after seing them in my country ;) i would like to point out the uniform of the technician setting roger's drums on stage b...lovely green tape on his bum picturing a smiling face :=) thank you guysss!! ps: please don't cut radio gagaaaaaa! |
| Oberon 17.10.2008 16:51 |
Hitman wrote: :) the sound at the o2 was fantastic..so clean that i would swear there was something wrong in paul's guitar during seagull..a sort of hiss. Paul did not care, he's a good profesionist and hardly shows when he's uncomfortable. it was lovely to see them playing a "home" gig after seing them in my country ;) i would like to point out the uniform of the technician setting roger's drums on stage b...lovely green tape on his bum picturing a smiling face :=) thank you guysss!! ps: please don't cut radio gagaaaaaa! Yes, I thought there sounded like there was something wrong. i thought it sounded a little like a "rattle". But I still thought it was done well. I know that it's probably mainly Queen fans, but I think everyone can appreciate Seagull as being a 'Paul' moment, and I don't understand the negative reviews of this song. It's a perfectly well sung and played acoustic number in my opinion. |
| FriedChicken 17.10.2008 16:58 |
Yeah, the green tape smiley face was fun :D I was at the front of the catwalk on the 2nd row, right behind that brittish guy who goes to every concert.. I believe his name is Kevin or something? It was a great show, this one the best i've seen so far. Too bad I didn't meet any of the Queenzone people :( And that Italian guy is really annoying! |
| Mr. Scully 18.10.2008 02:52 |
The British guy is called Gavin I think.$0$0$0$0Italian guy... I think I know who you mean. He's like 30, maybe 35 years old and he still gives presents to Queen members whenever he meets them.$0 |
| Pim Derks 18.10.2008 07:46 |
The Italian guy must be one of the most annoying fans ever. He's made up dances to various of the songs in the setlist, he is ALWAYS at the front row - even though I almost NEVER see him in line at the shows. He's taking pictures of himself with security guards (WTF?) and behaves like a teenage girl at a Justin Timberlake concert. |
| FriedChicken 21.10.2008 05:29 |
It's not really my problem that he apparently enjoys the concerts so much, and it also isn't my problem that he is on the front row. My problem is that he arrives very early and waits there till there are some people in line as well, he talks to them and makes friendships and then exits the line only to come back 6 hours later (when the gates open) and expects to stand all the way in the front of the queue. I don't have a problem with people arriving early, cause I also do it, but when I stand in line from 12 o clock I only leave the line for a couple of minutes for the occasional bathroom break. It really pisses me off. |
| Togg 21.10.2008 05:53 |
Amen to that! |
| IReallyLoveQueen 23.08.2010 16:53 |
I LOVE QUEEN |