I haven't been around for some time, but I was able to go see Queen so I thought I would contribute my thoughts.
Well, first thing is first when I say that QUEEN + PAUL WERE EFFING AWESOME!
*ahem* yeah.
My sister and I traveled 9 hours to Wisconsin so we could stay with her friend and attend the St. Paul show. We initially considered going to Chicago (how unfortunate that we didn't spring for both shows, but whatever), too, but we thought going to Minnesota would be a big enough event, which it was.
On the day of the show we did a lot of sight-seeing and shopping at the Mall of America. All of us (including my sister's friend Daniel, who is fairly new to Queen) were excited. On the way to the arena we sang lots of Queen songs to pump ourselves up, although I don't think we really needed anymore pumping at that point! We got there around 6:30pm or so and I bought $130 worth of merchandise (a hoodie, two mercury pheonix trust bracelets for me and Tickqueener, and two tour programs).
When we reached our seats, we were amazed with the seats. My sister, who is much like me and doesn't swear all that often, gasped at the view and exclaimed "Holy sh*t!" I told her she could thank me for getting the excellent seats. Actually, we weren't on the floor, but we were right opposite with the stage and the view was just wonderful. We really could enjoy ALL the sites from there!
We were pretty thrilled at this point and all the more eager to see the guys in action. The crowd seemed very mixed - there were tons of younger people and quite a few "older" people. The turnout was pretty good, although I wished *everyone* was as happy as I was to be there.
As soon as I heard the remix of "It's a Beautiful Day" I began to flip out, as you all can imagine. I don't think a lot of people knew it was Freddie singing as nobody gave much of a reaction, but I think this may have been that the lights were left on.
One of the biggest highlights for me was when the music was playing with the curtain still shut, BUT YOU COULD HEAR THE RED SPECIAL FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN! I yelled to my sister "It's the RED SPECIAL" as iff she was unaware, but she knew as well as I did!
We were little giddy kids at this point with humongous grins on our faces. I even felt a little compelled to hug my sister, because I was just so overwhelmed with joy to be seeing my heroes on stage.
I can't tell all of you how many times I had told myself in the past that I would never see Queen. I had accepted this fact a long time ago, just because seeing them felt like such a long shot and even entertaining the idea of seeing them came across as depressing to me. The fact that it was actually happening to me didn't even seem real.
So, to say the least, I was like a raving maniac for the entire show and I am sure to the strangers around me, I will always be thought of as "That obnoxious woman at the Queen concert that wouldn't sit still for the entire show," but what the hey. It's Queen. 'Nuff said.
I thought Paul was really great. I even began to love him mid-way the show, because he is a big part that I got to see Queen live. I recurring thought I had during the show was "Now I can die a happy woman." Well, pretty dang happy anyway.
My top five performances were probably these in no order:
Love of My Life
BoRhap
Radio Ga Ga
Under pressure
WWRY
When Brian gave his speech at the beginning of LOML, I found it very moving and an awesome tribute to Freddie. I was awestuck by this performance that I began to cry - A LOT. I know that probably sounds strange, though again, I couldn't believe I was singing those lyrics back to Brian. It was just so surreal to me...especially to have watched people sing those lyrics back to Freddie, while never imagining myself getting the chance to do that with ANY Queen member.
I was so pleased tha
Great concert report! I feel like you are really on target describing how it is (emotionally) during the concert - and your account is so funny. I can definitely relate to all you said. It's nice that you were able to enjoy this concert with your sister - something you two will always be able to remember that you did together!
Sweet!!!
It seems to us die-hards that, for whatever reason, fans at our shows have sat on their hands until more than half-way thru the show.
I know I certainly felt that way about Cleveland, as you could definately tell which fans were like us, and which ones were just there.
<font color=purple>Miss James wrote: I recurring thought I had during the show was "Now I can die a happy woman." Well, pretty dang happy anyway.
That was my reoccuring thought almost word for word, too. After the show I said to my parents, "I am so happy that I would not care if I found out I was going to die tomorrow."
It really was too good to be true.
Thanks, guys, it definitely was a fantastic experience, as many of you can agree! I certainly hope the guys will do this again, but if they don't, at least I got this chance.
Haystacks, I do agree with your comment. A part of me felt so compelled to yell that I am one of "Queen's Biggest Fans" just so I could be separted from the folks that were there just to be there. But I didn't wanna look weird, y'know? ;-)
Corson...where you been!
I'm so happy for you Amanda!! I know how you felt. I was at Jacksonville right next to Erin and Pieter. I can attest that there is nothing cooler than watching a Queen concert with great friends next to you!