A question about Earls Court

Freddie says something strange after Ogre Battle

This is the right carnival, isn't it? Did you see in the front? I shall have to have a look at it tomorrow, right?

I've been wondering for way too many years what the hell was he talking about. Does anybody know the context to this? Was there some actual carnival? Or is it a metaphore for something?

Vaguely remember this. He's talking about the press in the pit I think?

Interesting point, never thought about it. There seems to be something going on with the press people, he later makes his "I love posing, This is for the press" comments too. A pity that the cameras show us only the band

My assumption was that the "entrance hall" area had been decorated in some way, so fans had some sort of unique experience on arrival, which he knew about (having approved the expense, probably) but hadn't seen.

Wasn't he just referring to the crown lighting rig?

The crown lighting didn't feature 'til a year later. '78 NOTW tour. - And not at earls court, but Wembley empire pool.

Penetration_Guru wrote:

My assumption was that the "entrance hall" area had been decorated in some way

Correct. Or at least, the outside was.

master marathon runner wrote:

The crown lighting didn't feature 'til a year later. '78 NOTW tour. - And not at earls court, but Wembley empire pool.

No. This is not true.
The crown was premiered at Earls Court and then they took a smaller version on tour for the NOTW tour (both at the US '77 and Europe/UK 78 shows).

I really think Freddie was referring to the spectacular lighting rig. It was a first so would be logical that he was curious about that.

on my way up wrote:

master marathon runner wrote:

The crown lighting didn't feature 'til a year later. '78 NOTW tour. - And not at earls court, but Wembley empire pool.

No. This is not true.
The crown was premiered at Earls Court and then they took a smaller version on tour for the NOTW tour (both at the US '77 and Europe/UK 78 shows).

This is true .

The crown at Earls Court used the up stage rig they had used on the rest of the tour, but instead of flying it on an arched truss it was attached to the base of the crown.

The lights on the arched down stage truss were used around the front half of the circular base.

Wizards photo is great. . Yes Freddie was talking about both outside the venue and in the huge foyer area in the main entrance. The band hired a troop of jugglers, stilt walkers and frisbee throwers.

I seem to remember a fanclub magazine mentioning about this at the time.

Yes having seen it again you're right he's talking about the front being decorated. Was thinking in my head about him bowing for the press.

Brian referred to the lighting rig with his Do you like gimmicks comment.

Well, with a little input from various people another mystery solved :-)

pittrek wrote:

Freddie says something strange after Ogre Battle

This is the right carnival, isn't it? Did you see in the front? I shall have to have a look at it tomorrow, right?

I've been wondering for way too many years what the hell was he talking about. Does anybody know the context to this? Was there some actual carnival? Or is it a metaphore for something?

It's a minor point, but I think he says

This is *a* right carnival, isn't it?

Meaning something like "this is rather reminiscent of a carnival, isn't it?" rather than "this is the correct carnival, isn't it?".

Like I said, minor point.

I copied that from Bob's site :)

Well, then I guess it's just up to Bob to be cross with me, and you're off the hook ;P