Sorry for the triple post. Wackiness here at the internet cafe in Manchester.
Two words: Brilliant show.
Word from a good source says even the guys in the band were stunned by it. Actually, the quote is "stucking funning!" If they were on fire at Newcastle, they were thermonuclear last night. Always a danger when components of the nuclear device are kept to close together . . . they begin to react!
Raincoats off! to the fans at the end of the catwalk who threw the condoms at Rog. It's always good to see him laugh. God I love that guy! It would be fun to see an avalanche of condoms thrown at Birmingham. I wonder how far you can Frisbee a condom. Of course, blown up the just float . . . might be a thing . . .
Rog and Brian kind of apologized in advance for any unnecessary roughness with "Under Pressure," but who the eff cared that it was rough, it was still GREAT and a terrific treat. Evidently AOBTD was also done at the sound check yesterday.
Would have liked to hear Bri go into a few of his raging chords used for the Buckhouse roof version of GSTQ when he ascended the stairs, as that performance is one of my favorite moments in rock music, and I'm not even FROM here! Totally loved the mirror ball effect with Last Horizon. Actually held one of the beams of light in my palm while the ball was static.
I thought Paul was brilliant. He's earning even more of my respect. He seems to be enjoying himself up there. I don't think you could wipe the smile off with sandpaper. He sounds great. Works the crowd well. I thought the mike spinning would be cheesy, but it actually works. What a voice! It will be interesting to see where this goes. All that said, he did hit a screecher, but then BFD.
One lukewarm thing I could say is that, to me, "CLTCL" hits me like it's a cover. Something (other than the brilliant FM) is missing, and CLTCL is (IMHO) Queen at their most fun. I know others might disagree. I like Paul's vocals on it, but to me, it just comes off like a cover, where I'd say the rest of the songs come off as original. Maybe it's the funky, space-age guitars. Don't know. I don't hate it, though.
I thought the place died a bit with AKOM, I looked around and saw many people sitting. I like AKOM and don't know what the deal is, but that's one that COULD and SHOULD get everyone going. I like Paul's vocals on it. "Say It's Not True" slows things down a bit, but obviously, this one is important to them. I always like to hear Rog sing though . . . something about that growling . . . know what I mean, ladies?
Rog gave the growl at the intro to "I'm in Love with My Car" a RIGHT PASTING he did! No tiger skin trousers to go with it though. No rude comments please. It's Roger Taylor we're talking about here! I thought he played well last night. Good energy while playing. No one, least of all not Roger, said drumming is easy. I recall that even in the mid 1980s he would seem to be totally out of gas by the time his hair was sticking to his head, but would still do the lingering big finishes. He's got a lot in reserve, and there's always his stupefying time/space defying cymbal grab. Roger's A-OK in my book.
Brian was in top form last night, seemed to be having the time of his life, he plays best when he's having fun, and he eats up the attention he's getting. We're creating a monster! ;-) He never ceases to amaze me. Just in-freaking-credible. The solo did (and always does) knock me right on my ass. (sorry, no other way for me to put it.) I'm listening to the Wembley version on my iPod right now. He just always blows me away. What a guy, what a guitarist. Sheesh!
Jamie, and Danny seemed to be more in evidence last night, although Spike is in the dark over there on stage right. I seem to recall him being more prominent in the past. What up wi' dat? Jamie did a lot of backup singing. Danny's got the climb the st
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It was absolutely brilliant, I am still in a state of shock, I was at the front, I just can't believe the position I got, I was on the right hand side of the catwalk directly in line with Brian when he was sat on the stool.
What a memory!
What a memory!
Sinply amazing. I have been in a daze all day and just downloaded a bunch of the tracks from the Queen site (cannot wait until the Manchester tracks are online) and have been reliving them all evening.
I cannot stress how much this concert has meant to me, being a young un (25) I never thought it possible I would get to see Queen on tour (my first real exposure to their music was watching the Freddie tribute concert on TV).
By the way, when they had Freddie on the big screen for the opening to BoRhap, did any one else make believe that he was just just out of view at the side of the stage sitting at his piano. Magical stuff.
Other vivid memories will be the crowd belting out "Ready Freddie" during CLTCL, Last Horizon (and the mirrorball), Under Pressure (the pregnant pause in the announcement where I thought for a second they would announce the presence of either John Deacon or David Bowie), singing Love of my Life with 10,000 other fans with a tear in my eye, condom throwing, Peter Kay.
I cannot stress how much this concert has meant to me, being a young un (25) I never thought it possible I would get to see Queen on tour (my first real exposure to their music was watching the Freddie tribute concert on TV).
By the way, when they had Freddie on the big screen for the opening to BoRhap, did any one else make believe that he was just just out of view at the side of the stage sitting at his piano. Magical stuff.
Other vivid memories will be the crowd belting out "Ready Freddie" during CLTCL, Last Horizon (and the mirrorball), Under Pressure (the pregnant pause in the announcement where I thought for a second they would announce the presence of either John Deacon or David Bowie), singing Love of my Life with 10,000 other fans with a tear in my eye, condom throwing, Peter Kay.
The bit about throwing condoms at Roger, Jamie & Danny is from a joke that Roger made at Newcastle the night before about Danny wearing 2. (I think)
I went to Manchester last night!!! I can’t describe in words how excellent it was! I didn't realise how good Brian and Roger can sing live. Paul Rodgers has one of the best voices ever, even if he did have throat problems.
The video clips of Freddie were great, especially when the audience went crazy over seeing him on the screen. ‘Love of my life’ was sung beautifully by Brian and the audience, everyone seemed really emotional.
I cant think of any bad points at all, apart from the big surprise being 'Under Pressure' The way Peter Kay was making such a big deal, I was expecting Deacon to appear on stage, but no such luck :-(
Oh and all through the show I had a boring old man at the side of me who kept shouting tosser at Brian every time he went into his guitar solo! He also kept telling me to sit down cos he couldn’t see, I’m 5ft 3! Anyway his bag was at the side of me, so I spilt nearly a full bottle of Pepsi on it! By accident of course :-D
The video clips of Freddie were great, especially when the audience went crazy over seeing him on the screen. ‘Love of my life’ was sung beautifully by Brian and the audience, everyone seemed really emotional.
I cant think of any bad points at all, apart from the big surprise being 'Under Pressure' The way Peter Kay was making such a big deal, I was expecting Deacon to appear on stage, but no such luck :-(
Oh and all through the show I had a boring old man at the side of me who kept shouting tosser at Brian every time he went into his guitar solo! He also kept telling me to sit down cos he couldn’t see, I’m 5ft 3! Anyway his bag was at the side of me, so I spilt nearly a full bottle of Pepsi on it! By accident of course :-D
Great concert, last saw them in Liverpool at the Empire in 1979! Just found the pictures I took that night, made me laugh, FM on the shoulders of Superman! Also found the concert programme (£2.50 I think?) and a couple of badges in a dusty box in the loft. Got some nice pics from this one also, digital this time though!
Concert information was terrible, I rang and was told, no support (true) show starts at 7.30 and main act(?) on at 8.30! Nearly right, but a rush to get there from work for 7.30 just in case. Personally I thought Kind of Magic was OK, not as bad as people had said.
Hope all who went will enjoy the memories and pictures of this concert for years to come, I feel lucky to have seen them originally but would not have missed this for the world.
Concert information was terrible, I rang and was told, no support (true) show starts at 7.30 and main act(?) on at 8.30! Nearly right, but a rush to get there from work for 7.30 just in case. Personally I thought Kind of Magic was OK, not as bad as people had said.
Hope all who went will enjoy the memories and pictures of this concert for years to come, I feel lucky to have seen them originally but would not have missed this for the world.
Great gig - Crazy Little Thing - can you send me the pictures on my email - [email protected]
Good to meet you all
Mike
Good to meet you all
Mike
The Manchester gig was absolutely brilliant.
We got there at about 7pm and by the time we'd purchased programmes and beverages we were on the arena floor for just after 7.45pm. My only worry prior to the show was being stuck behind a 7ft tall member of the Brian May Hairdo Appreciation Society and therefore not getting a very good view of the stage. Also I was slightly apprehensive about the thought of having to queue up at about 5pm to get a good view in the arena. Anyway it was bollocks to that idea and as it happened everything turned out brilliantly. We decided to head towards the right hand side of the stage where Brian would be and we ended up quite near the front. Whenever they went down the catwalk we still had a good view of them even though they may not have been facing us. But if I was to recommend any part of the arena floor to stand I'd say on the right hand side near the front. We didn't want to get too close to the stage and have to crane our necks to see the action. I was made up with the position we had on the arena floor. The show from start to finish was just superb. Despite all the reservations about Paul Rodgers he did a brilliant job.
Totally loved Brian's guitar solo and Last Horizon. He sounded at the absolute top of his game despite any interference from the local taxi cab firm! The lights at the end of his solo were truly magnificent, quite a sight to behold. Was amazed at how well Roger played on the drums. After reading posts on this noticeboard about how Roger was getting too old etc, absolute bollocks to that. Roger looked and sounded, like Brian, like he was at the top his game despite the ageing factor.
Can't really say that I had a favourite part of the night, I loved every second of it. Some moments worth mentioning were during Bo Rhap the video of Freddie appearing on the screen and the old footage of Queen during These Are The Days. Some quality ad-lib when Roger sang, before the guitar solo on These Are The Days, "When I look and I find Brian May". Absolute fucking classic.
Just when I thought the concert couldn't get any better (apart from a Deaky appearance) out popped PK and Patrick McGuinness before the encore. I couldn't fucking believe it, as a huge fan of them both the night was getting better. The banter on stage was top quality.
The only downside of the night for me was drinking 2 pints before the start and needing to go the toilet during "Crazy Little Thing" :( Fortunately as I was near the safety barrier one of the security personnel moved the barrier for me so I could run the toilet without having to wade through everybody. Top marks to the security there even though they needed some persuasion. Despite the fact that cameras may not have been allowed into the arena there were plenty of them about. I noticed that one security guy would only pounce on someone with a camera if it was only them taking a picture, not when it was about 50 people.
The whole evening was simply amazing; I just cannot iterate anymore how unbelievable it was seeing Brian and Roger play live and seeing them perform so close up. As a 20 year old fan of Queen this was pretty much a dream come true and, as I'm sure, for many other Queen fans who never had the chance to see them live.
We got there at about 7pm and by the time we'd purchased programmes and beverages we were on the arena floor for just after 7.45pm. My only worry prior to the show was being stuck behind a 7ft tall member of the Brian May Hairdo Appreciation Society and therefore not getting a very good view of the stage. Also I was slightly apprehensive about the thought of having to queue up at about 5pm to get a good view in the arena. Anyway it was bollocks to that idea and as it happened everything turned out brilliantly. We decided to head towards the right hand side of the stage where Brian would be and we ended up quite near the front. Whenever they went down the catwalk we still had a good view of them even though they may not have been facing us. But if I was to recommend any part of the arena floor to stand I'd say on the right hand side near the front. We didn't want to get too close to the stage and have to crane our necks to see the action. I was made up with the position we had on the arena floor. The show from start to finish was just superb. Despite all the reservations about Paul Rodgers he did a brilliant job.
Totally loved Brian's guitar solo and Last Horizon. He sounded at the absolute top of his game despite any interference from the local taxi cab firm! The lights at the end of his solo were truly magnificent, quite a sight to behold. Was amazed at how well Roger played on the drums. After reading posts on this noticeboard about how Roger was getting too old etc, absolute bollocks to that. Roger looked and sounded, like Brian, like he was at the top his game despite the ageing factor.
Can't really say that I had a favourite part of the night, I loved every second of it. Some moments worth mentioning were during Bo Rhap the video of Freddie appearing on the screen and the old footage of Queen during These Are The Days. Some quality ad-lib when Roger sang, before the guitar solo on These Are The Days, "When I look and I find Brian May". Absolute fucking classic.
Just when I thought the concert couldn't get any better (apart from a Deaky appearance) out popped PK and Patrick McGuinness before the encore. I couldn't fucking believe it, as a huge fan of them both the night was getting better. The banter on stage was top quality.
The only downside of the night for me was drinking 2 pints before the start and needing to go the toilet during "Crazy Little Thing" :( Fortunately as I was near the safety barrier one of the security personnel moved the barrier for me so I could run the toilet without having to wade through everybody. Top marks to the security there even though they needed some persuasion. Despite the fact that cameras may not have been allowed into the arena there were plenty of them about. I noticed that one security guy would only pounce on someone with a camera if it was only them taking a picture, not when it was about 50 people.
The whole evening was simply amazing; I just cannot iterate anymore how unbelievable it was seeing Brian and Roger play live and seeing them perform so close up. As a 20 year old fan of Queen this was pretty much a dream come true and, as I'm sure, for many other Queen fans who never had the chance to see them live.
Anybody got any piccys from the Manchester gig? I took some myself but they didnt turn out too good due to the light etc
I've got some good ones, Iv'e just added to the gallery, waiting to get them 'approved' !
I never expected it to be that amazing. I'm so gutted I've got no tickets for any other shows. My highlight was '39 and Love of my Life. Definitely drop AKOM though, I never really liked it much anyway. I'm still coming down from it all, it was the best night of my life.
Pics are up in the gallery (4xMacMan), turned out quite good, even if I do say so myself!
If you didnt like the security at Manchester - dont go to Sheffield.
Have been to MEN 4 times now and each time has been a pleasure. I live in Leeds and i was home by midnight last night having parked in the MEN multi storey.
No hassle from any of the security (in fact they helped us get in quicker via different queues etc - and they didnt mind me using my camera.
I have been to a number of shows at sheffield and it is ALWAYS a nightmare with traffic queues / badly organised entrances/door staff/ huge queues for any amenities and basically an all round shocking venue. I always like to keep my tickets as souvenirs and at sheffield this is the only venu to not return tickets if you are on the floor.
It will be a test of Queen to see if they get a reaction there, cos i have seen a major acts like Elton John / Stereophonics die on their arse there.
From a Yorkie and Leeds Fan its hard for me to say but give me Manchester MEN over Sheffield ANY time.
I've been to stacks of concerts at Sheffield Hallam FM Arena (to give it its proper name so as not to confuse the non-locals who are going on Monday) and I've never had a problem queuing, getting in, keeping my ticket stubs, travelling ... OK, it's in a fairly built-up and populated area and obviously I know the shortcuts, rat-runs and free parking. Is there a venue on earth where you don't queue endlessly for the loos or the refreshments (serves you right if you want to go to the bar and get ripped off) and I don't think that the fact that Elton John and Stereophonics died on their arses there is anything to do with the venue. The only thing security don't like is dancing in the aisles and standing on seats, but that's the same for most places.
q-_-p wrote:
<<My only worry prior to the show was being stuck behind a 7ft tall member of the Brian May Hairdo Appreciation Society and therefore not getting a very good view of the stage.>>
HA! Good one!
<<My only worry prior to the show was being stuck behind a 7ft tall member of the Brian May Hairdo Appreciation Society and therefore not getting a very good view of the stage.>>
HA! Good one!
Nah- the securiti in Sheffield was really cool...