Queen is known for its energetic performance, which moment do you think Queen is at its maximum energy?
From my very limited listening, I vote for this:
"Great King Rat" live at Tokyo, Japan. 1st May 1975. In particular the second, longer guitar solo.
Queen is on a roll, specially Brian and Roger.
OOOOH good topic!
Well, let me just say two that come to mind instantly(that doesn't mean that these definitely ARE their most energetic moments)...just it is was what popped into my mind. Okay here we go:
We Will Rock You (fast version) from Live Killers...what a pulse pounding intro!
and a studio track...the brilliantly Queen-treated version of I Was Born To Love You from the Made In Heaven album.
Deacy throwing his bass.
All the showmanship lost it's meaning and currency with the others, because they were so interesting to watch. When the boring little guy with the tiny shorts decided to go postal on his bass, that's when things got interesting.
John Deacon throwing bass guitar was to my best knowledge out of frustration, he was certainly not doing it out of "energy" like Keith Moon and other The Who members would.
In Great King Rat on 1st May 1975, all of them were definitely on roll - the audience were REALLY enthusiastic and I do think that John Deacon was giving his absolute best - of course he wouldn't jump to do a bass solo, but I think he was feeling pretty energetic at that time too. This is definitely the most energetic performance I've heard.
Can't comment on 4/25/1979 and Sweet Lady in 1977 as I haven't listened, but I'll definitely check them out.
I think that Freddie showed more confidence, cockiness and energy as he performed "Keep Yourself Alive" at Houston in 1977 than anything I had seen or heard from earlier footage. His performance of "Somebody To Love" at MK in 1982, his improv during Live Aid in '85 and then "Hammer To Fall" at Wembley '86 also give me goosebumps - the latter of those being the epitome of energy. But I'm sure there were loads more moments!
I would thoroughly agree with Tokyo 1st May 1975; total savage energy and a hunger to work a new crowd. The version of Liar at over 11 mins is indicative of this.
My second choice would also be Houston 1977; listen to Roger's vocals on the fast WWRY and John outdoes himself on almost all the bass lines (listen to the improv section in Liar; he even sings in the slow WWRY.