After the first show in Brixton, i wrote some very tough comments on this messageboard, and i meant every word of it.
BUT....yesterday i went to see them again, in Antwerpen, Belgium....and the show took my breath away....there were hardly any mistakes, only noticeable for die-hard-fans like myself, and it was very impressive, very spectaculair and absolutely worthy of the name Queen and Freddie....not that the setlist changed, or that they played more Freddie-songs...NO...
BUT...the lighting-rig is the most awesome thing the world has EVER seen...imagine a whole roof coming down and starts to dance to "A kind of Magic" and "Hammer to Fall" with zillions of colour-changing lights!!! Very creative, innovative, daring , and Queen-like !!!
THIS is what was missing in Brixton...The songs were executed much better, and Brian didn't screw up anymore...Roger was as always the man of the match with his uncomparable rendition of "I'm in Love with my Car" and the Nelson Mandela song...he brings back that old-days genuine "Queen-feel" the best...
I still think that the bandmembers positions should be altered in order to create more of a "united Band feeling" as there are still 2 bands on stage the way they are positioned now ( Spike, Jamie and Danny together on the left side of the stage)...and there could easily (should) be songs included like "Don't Stop Me Now" "Save Me" "Spread Your Wings" "Teo Torriate" and "Friends Will Be Friends"or so...just to name a few...but it was an awesome show alltogether, and 100% better than the opening in London...
The band has proven now, that they do listen to the fans, that they do practice and learn...and the show is coming together as a future classic...
By the time they hit Holland, ( and i seriously recommend them to tape the dvd there !!!) the show will be absolutely perfect...it is show nr 18, and by then it shouldn't be possible to find anymore things to fuzz about...not even by me !!!
BRAVO guys...CHAPEAU !!!
it's time to pop-open the champagne and toast to the rest of the tour and ofcourse to our hero Freddie !!! You have finally got it together in a very Queen-like and astonishing way !!!
I now dare say again that i am SO proud of being a Queen-fan...and now also a fan of the NEW Queen as you have rebuilt her from the ashes...and the risen phoenix is NOT a chicken anymore !!!
I am looking forward to the official dvd release !!! The bootlegs are excellent already!!
The gimmicks, the technique, the merchandise, it all is SO much better and different now...it should be obvious to all other critical fans who think of NOT going because of Freddie not being the frontman anymore....I tell ( advise and recommend) you: GO!! GO and see the newborn Queen and Paul Rodgers !!!
You WILL have a party !!!
I salute you all......
a very enthousiastic and won over again, Basje
Nice review Basje.
Too bad the Belgian television only showed 4 unsatisfied visitors who, in my view, were only there to find Freddie Mercury or some look-alike, while, let's say, the other 15.996 visitors left with the Queen sound still echoing in their hearts.
It was a great concert in Antwerpen. It was my first of this tour and I was impressed. Paul sang great, and Roger and Brian where in a very good shape. Thanks for your wonderful review Bas.
For the Dutch fans on this board. Here's my impression: link
You can see some foto's here: link
Rien has also some great pics on his website!!
That sounds great news for Wembly and Hyde Park. Although I do not think you can compare the Brixton show to the rest of the tour as a) it was their first whole gig together and b) the lighting show was always going to be bigger than Brixton as Brixton is a small venue (which Brian mentioned on his website).
@ Rien: Totally agree. I saw the interviews on Belgian television too and I had to sprint for the toilet. My God, they really picked the two disappointed 'fans' out of the crowd.
i agree that spike and co should be featured mainly, i mean you dont have to make them do solos, but from the videos ive seen it seems they are tucked away in the corner like the band is embarrassed of them. Look at Bowie, I only know one person (Gail Ann something), but he still features them in prominent positions. And he has had god knows how many guitarists over the years.