| QueenZeppelin 18.10.2005 15:00 |
I've seen plenty of reviews and thoughts shared about the NJ show Queen + Paul Rodgers played two nights ago, but little said about the audience participation. So, from those of you who were there (or know), how was it? Which songs did they sing along to? Did they know Love of my Life? Did they do the Radio Ga-Ga handclap (I have seen that mentioned a few times). How was their reaction to each song? Any and all info would be much appreciated. :) |
| Mr.Jingles 18.10.2005 15:03 |
The audience response was better than anything I expected. If there was general admission on the floor they could have well ended up having a mosh-pit. Which would have been friggin' sweet. |
| Deacons 1st Choice 18.10.2005 15:25 |
The audience was awesome right from the start. There was a tremendous expression of awareness right before the show started that must have knocked the band back some upon hearing it before the curtain dropped. I think Brian's comments on his Soapbox prove this. Folks were singing along with EVERYTHING...even the Free/ BC songs!! It was amazing, and you could tell the Band was getting a high from that unexpected response. LOML was lovely...though i thought the crowd could have sung louder. The reason they might not have done so is because we all wanted to be able to hear Brian's wonderful vocals. He put his heart and soul into it that night. It was wonderful to behold. 39' was equally wonderful, and the crowd went absolutely mad when he started to play it. This was a show highlight for me. "Days of our Lives" was also a great sing-along. Roger did a great job vocally...and i don't think there was a dry eye in the place when those retro video images were being shown. Very moving. Yes, "Radio Ga Ga" had all the trappings it usually has when it is played live ( hand clapping, etc.) and even "I Want It All" had a big reaction, exspecially near the end. Everything was very well recieved. The only thing i can think of that did not go over big was the Emenim ( or however you spell it!) rap song at the beginning. That had a lot of fans surprised and going WTFudge. All in all, the crowd was as enthusiastic as any UK/EU crowd at previous shows. Oh yes....and those girls were there again and threw condoms at Roger while he was up front to sing his 1st solo. I think he was embassared by it all...... |
| Crazy LittleThing 18.10.2005 15:26 |
Mr.Jingles wrote: The audience response was better than anything I expected. If there was general admission on the floor they could have well ended up having a mosh-pit. Which would have been friggin' sweet.--------------------------- The band seems to prefer the standing area on the floor over the "rows of uncomfortable chairs" scenario. Shortly after the Aruba concert started, Paul invited us to get out of the chairs (everyone was already standing) and move up to the stage. Security told us before the show that they MIGHT let us do that, but we would have to wait for a signal from the Security people (they were very nice about it, and it seemed their genuine concern was safety.) Anyway, Paul took matters into his own hands and asked us to come forward and we did. It was a nice crowd, there was no pushing and shoving, and it worked out very well. The guys in the band seem to like having people right up close to the stage. I think Brian mentioned on his site that they actually lowered the B stage because of fan complaints that monitors and equipment were obstructing the line of sight from the front of the stage. It's nice that they are taking feedback into consideration on these things. Audience participation was good. I think the band WAS surprised by it, and I take full credit for the reinclusion of '39 into the set list. (see brianmay.com, letters, Sunday, October 16) ;) Good to meet you at the tailgate party Mr Jingles! --Cindy |
| Crazy LittleThing 18.10.2005 15:31 |
Deacons 1st Choice wrote: Oh yes....and those girls were there again and threw condoms at Roger while he was up front to sing his 1st solo. I think he was embassared by it all......"Those girls?" Paging Sarah! ;) Sadly, some people were too far from the stage when launching condoms at Rog. Said people would like to apologize to those who were hit in the back of the head with flying condom packets. Also, since there were no metal detectors/wands at the New Jersey concert no one was mortified when the metal detector went off when it passed over the foil packets. Imagine that poor girl's embarrassment when she had to remove a large number of Roger-destined projectiles for the security folks in Aruba! I'm sure glad that didn't happen to me! :) At this point, Roger would be embarrassed if no one BOTHERED to throw the condoms at him. ps: hi to deacy's 1st choice! Good to see you at the party Sunday night. |
| Deacons 1st Choice 18.10.2005 15:47 |
Yes yes...good to see you too Hun! It was nice was'nt it? A good way to relax and come down somewhat after a very thrilling day. About Sarah and her condoms...heh heh.....yeah, i bet security did a double take when they saw her stash! The throwing condoms at Roger thing i think is funny....i just hope Roger sees the humour in it as well. I'm sure he does....how can he not? He's still hot even now! |
| All I Hear Is Radio Gaga 18.10.2005 18:08 |
I keep hearing about the condom joke, what exactly is it all about? I know it's been going around for most of the tour but what did he say? |
| I_LoveRogerT 18.10.2005 20:33 |
Hello Everyone, I was there at the Meadowlands, and audience Rocked as well as the band!!! And guess what? It felt good!! I had one of the greatest feelings that night. |
| Daniel Nester 18.10.2005 20:40 |
I was there, and thought the participation was great, especially considering it had been 23 years since people last sang along and clapped with Roger and Brian. Let's remember that among many other momentous firsts, this was the first -- the first -- "Radio Ga Ga" handclap on North American soil. And everyone did it! And singing along to songs that didn't even chart in the 80s. This audience participation stuff is no big deal in Germany, Italy, the UK -- but in New Jersey in 2005? 20,000 people singing along to 80s Queen hits? It's a kind of magic, people! I was -- and still am -- blown away by Sunday. |
| Deacons 1st Choice 18.10.2005 20:51 |
I'm right there with you Dan....it was absolutely brilliant to say the least! I did'nt think they would even bother to include "Ga Ga" in the US setlist due to it's connection to a less then positive reaction here back in it's day. I'm very happy that Roger said "F** It" and kept it in regardless. In your FACE critics!!!! :) |
| RainMustFall2 18.10.2005 21:48 |
Crazy LittleThing wrote:The girl behind me actually threw an orange condom a minute after that, and it hit Brian in the leg. I felt so embarrassed.Deacons 1st Choice wrote: Oh yes....and those girls were there again and threw condoms at Roger while he was up front to sing his 1st solo. I think he was embassared by it all......"Those girls?" Paging Sarah! ;) Sadly, some people were too far from the stage when launching condoms at Rog. Said people would like to apologize to those who were hit in the back of the head with flying condom packets. Also, since there were no metal detectors/wands at the New Jersey concert no one was mortified when the metal detector went off when it passed over the foil packets. Imagine that poor girl's embarrassment when she had to remove a large number of Roger-destined projectiles for the security folks in Aruba! I'm sure glad that didn't happen to me! :) At this point, Roger would be embarrassed if no one BOTHERED to throw the condoms at him. ps: hi to deacy's 1st choice! Good to see you at the party Sunday night. |
| Crazy LittleThing 18.10.2005 23:42 |
Deacons 1st Choice wrote: Yes yes...good to see you too Hun! It was nice was'nt it? A good way to relax and come down somewhat after a very thrilling day. About Sarah and her condoms...heh heh.....yeah, i bet security did a double take when they saw her stash! The throwing condoms at Roger thing i think is funny....i just hope Roger sees the humour in it as well. I'm sure he does....how can he not? He's still hot even now!Much to my embarrassment, it was not Sarah whose pocketful of condoms set off the detectors. After the incident with Security, I passed them out to many of the people in the front, to be sure Rog received a hail of them from all sides. And after all that . . . weeks of planning and scheming, he didn't even make the "he's wearing three," etc. comment in Aruba. D'OH! We threw them anyway. |
| Grantcdn 19.10.2005 01:35 |
I was on the floors half way back and I'd say 98% of the people stood for the entire concert.....and 99% for the majority of it....lots of singing, jumping, fist pumping, screaming....absolutely fantastic response from NYC/NJ...and let's face it...it was a FANTASTIC concert!!.....my throat and arms are still sore... |
| Crazy LittleThing 19.10.2005 11:49 |
Grant! I missed you at the concert. Am glad you made it though. |
| The Real Wizard 19.10.2005 11:59 |
So that means I could have gone up to the catwalk... I was in the third row of the bottom bowl. Bummer. My friend threw a condom at Roger, but it didn't make it that far, and it hit some girl in the head! |
| Lisser 19.10.2005 12:55 |
I kept hitting the guy in front of me on top of his head during the show bc he was seated for a good portion while I stood. I also nailed him good when I was waving like an idiot to Paulie from my seat. He looked at me like he wanted to strangle me!! He got over it though. |
| Crazy LittleThing 19.10.2005 13:04 |
Lisser wrote: I kept hitting the guy in front of me on top of his head during the show bc he was seated for a good portion while I stood. I also nailed him good when I was waving like an idiot to Paulie from my seat. He looked at me like he wanted to strangle me!! He got over it though.And then you asked him to take off his shirt. ;) |
| Erin 19.10.2005 13:06 |
Crazy LittleThing wrote: And then you asked him to take off his shirt. ;)*LOL*!! |
| Lisser 19.10.2005 13:48 |
Crazy LittleThing wrote:Um NO!! He was erm...not easy to look at. I'm trying to be nice!! LOL!!Lisser wrote: I kept hitting the guy in front of me on top of his head during the show bc he was seated for a good portion while I stood. I also nailed him good when I was waving like an idiot to Paulie from my seat. He looked at me like he wanted to strangle me!! He got over it though.And then you asked him to take off his shirt. ;) |
| Sherwood Forest 19.10.2005 14:28 |
Deacons 1st Choice wrote: The audience was awesome right from the start. There was a tremendous expression of awareness right before the show started that must have knocked the band back some upon hearing it before the curtain dropped. I think Brian's comments on his Soapbox prove this. Folks were singing along with EVERYTHING...even the Free/ BC songs!! It was amazing, and you could tell the Band was getting a high from that unexpected response. LOML was lovely...though i thought the crowd could have sung louder. The reason they might not have done so is because we all wanted to be able to hear Brian's wonderful vocals. He put his heart and soul into it that night. It was wonderful to behold. 39' was equally wonderful, and the crowd went absolutely mad when he started to play it. This was a show highlight for me. "Days of our Lives" was also a great sing-along. Roger did a great job vocally...and i don't think there was a dry eye in the place when those retro video images were being shown. Very moving. Yes, "Radio Ga Ga" had all the trappings it usually has when it is played live ( hand clapping, etc.) and even "I Want It All" had a big reaction, exspecially near the end. Everything was very well recieved. The only thing i can think of that did not go over big was the Emenim ( or however you spell it!) rap song at the beginning. That had a lot of fans surprised and going WTFudge. All in all, the crowd was as enthusiastic as any UK/EU crowd at previous shows. Oh yes....and those girls were there again and threw condoms at Roger while he was up front to sing his 1st solo. I think he was embassared by it all......that was me u heard screaming during '39, and i must say i was one of the people crying their eyes out with TATDOOL oh and i agree with all u said, my thoughts exactly |
| ElleInnuendo 19.10.2005 17:57 |
I was RELIEVED by how the audience reacted. I warned everyone around me (section 4 row D) that I was going to spazz considerably- scream, cry, dance, clap- and they all were okay with it. (of course I somehow injured my knee jumping around!)Turned out, I wasn't the only one there going wild. The whole place was ROCKING the whole time! There wasn't even a mass exodus during "Say It's Not True" like I have heard happens at some shows. (bathroom breaks) Everyone "Ready Freddie"'d for CLTCL and clapped in time for Radio GaGa, and sang along to 39 and LOML and cheered WILDLY everytime they showed Freddie on video. Everyone was also into the PR tunes which made him clearly very happy :) The crowd was hyped the whole time and supportive. I was so happy to see others as into it as I was... Gave me hope for a Spring tour!! I think we gave Q+PR a darn good reason to come back! |
| Deacons 1st Choice 19.10.2005 18:59 |
Hell yeah!!! I am very relevied and delighted beyond words at how well the show went for the Band...they were clearly moved by the experience, particularly Brian ( see his comments in his recent Soapbox entry from the 17th). Since we gave them a good time, i'd say it's prety much in the bag that we will have ourselves a official US TOUR come 2006. Get yer' Party Hats ready people!!! Wooohooooooo!!!!! |
| PieterMC 19.10.2005 19:00 |
Brian really did choke up when he came out to do his acoustic bit. |
| Ray D O'Gaga 19.10.2005 19:25 |
We like them. We *really* like them. |
| Ray D O'Gaga 19.10.2005 19:34 |
Daniel Nester wrote: I was there, and thought the participation was great, especially considering it had been 23 years since people last sang along and clapped with Roger and Brian. Let's remember that among many other momentous firsts, this was the first -- the first -- "Radio Ga Ga" handclap on North American soil. And everyone did it! And singing along to songs that didn't even chart in the 80s. This audience participation stuff is no big deal in Germany, Italy, the UK -- but in New Jersey in 2005? 20,000 people singing along to 80s Queen hits? It's a kind of magic, people! I was -- and still am -- blown away by Sunday.It hadn't occured to me that this *was* the first time "Radio Ga Ga" had been performed in North America. That's quite a momentous thing to be a part of, especially as a fan. And as far as singing along to songs that weren't US hits in the 80s - I suppose that goes to show the power of things like the early 90s "Classic Queen" compilation and the much reviled "Platinum Collection" and "Greatest Hits 3". I mean, people had to have heard those songs *somewhere* to have been able to sing along and it sure as hell wasn't American radio. Those "gateway" not-for-the-faithful releases apparently have served a purpose after all. |
| inu-liger 19.10.2005 20:16 |
Ray D O'Gaga wrote:Well, actually that's not true. The Queen tribute band "Queen - It's A Kinda Magic" have this song in their setlist, and they've been touring both Canada and the United States.Daniel Nester wrote: I was there, and thought the participation was great, especially considering it had been 23 years since people last sang along and clapped with Roger and Brian. Let's remember that among many other momentous firsts, this was the first -- the first -- "Radio Ga Ga" handclap on North American soil. And everyone did it! And singing along to songs that didn't even chart in the 80s. This audience participation stuff is no big deal in Germany, Italy, the UK -- but in New Jersey in 2005? 20,000 people singing along to 80s Queen hits? It's a kind of magic, people! I was -- and still am -- blown away by Sunday.It hadn't occured to me that this *was* the first time "Radio Ga Ga" had been performed in North America. If you wanna be technical about it, this was the first time that Queen *themselves* performed it live in US, including hand-claps. |
| Deacons 1st Choice 19.10.2005 20:28 |
Yes, and by God it was freaking amazing!!! |
| Ray D O'Gaga 20.10.2005 09:47 |
Inu-Liger<h6>-a.k.a. Richard Guilbault- wrote: If you wanna be technical about it, this was the first time that Queen *themselves* performed it live in US, including hand-claps.Obviously that's what we were talking about. That's far more than *technical*. Obviously, any cover band could have and surely has performed the song a million times. That really didn't have anything to do with what Mr. Nester was talking about. The significance is that its the first time Brian and Roger performed the song together, on tour, as Queen, before a large paying audience, in North America. That's quite different from a cover band performing it. If you want to get technical about it, which you obviously do :-) |
| PieterMC 20.10.2005 11:17 |
It seem like during Radio Ga Ga that to start with around half the audience knew what to do, and by the end of it most of the audience was joining in. At least thats what it looked like from where I was standing. |
| MercuryArts 22.10.2005 01:28 |
I looked around purposely at the crowd thtoughout the concert trying to see how the participation was going. All during the show people were on their feet screaming and clapping. I was surprised the did GaGa as well. It was as loud as can be during the chorus of WWRY. When it was all over & the house lights came up. While filing out, someone exclaimed, "God Damn, that was GOOD!!" Yes it was my brother, yes it was! |
| Katelyn517 24.10.2005 20:31 |
Hello to anyone that perhaps met me at the NJ concert!- I'm MrJingles' girlfriend. I thought that the audience participation was incredible and heartfelt especially during Love of My Life, which definitely brought a tear to my eye. It seems as if it's actually quite natural by now to "do the hand thing" during Radio Gaga and I was immensely pleased to be a part of the group. One thing that I noticed particularly was that in general, most of the audience showed much respect when songs from Free and Bad Company were performed. Some of them made you want to sing a bit and dance. All in all, the audience reception was fantastic and I hope others agree when I say that the concert was an amazing experience. |
| Deacons 1st Choice 24.10.2005 21:21 |
Something i should add that i forgot to earlier is how LOUD the audience was throughout the night! Queen+PR had them in the palm of their hand even before the lights went down! The audience was SO pumped and high on adreneline, they started to "slow clap" to get the Band out onstage faster! During the show, at numerous points, the entire Arena literally shook from it's foundations at the thousands of feet stomping along to the beat! Never in my years of attending concerts have i experienced this at this sort of scale...it felt like a feakin' earthquake was going on! It was very surreal. The swaying in the aisles during WATC was awesome....all i could think of was Wembley Arena during Live Aid. It was awesome to witness this. I think watching what the audience did was half the show here...it was amazing. East Coasters' sure know how to rock!!! The Tailgate Party was a added, and fantastic bonus. Can't wait to see the Boys return to the States! |