Here some more reviews:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/email/news/breaking_news/14019011.htm
http://www.miamist.com/archives/2006/03/04/queen_still_the_champions.php
oh, and by the way, you guys shouldn't fuss about the setlist. You better appreciate that they play on American soil.
Enjoy the shows.
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[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Jazzy wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Here some more reviews:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/email/news/breaking_news/14019011.htm
http://www.miamist.com/archives/2006/03/04/queen_still_the_champions.php
oh, and by the way, you guys shouldn't fuss about the setlist. You better appreciate that they play on American soil.
Enjoy the shows.[/QUOTE]
That is so damn true ! Being german I may be the false person to respond, but as Queen's US-career is an interesting topic for most of us fans, I feel free to do so anyway.
I went to the stadium in cologne, where 27.600 people attended the show. The stadium has a capacity of about 45.000. That attendence was a let-down for some afterwards, and I just could not understand. Because the show was a blast, with Paul Rodgers being quoted by a fan talking to him afterwards "that was the best so far".
I know it is an old and never-ending discussion on this board, but 9710 out of 14000 is - considering what has been stated about Miami and the musical taste of the people there - really good. We should be happy that the guys are out there again, and a 2/3-sellout of 50 % of a band, that struggled in the US for the last 24 years (!!!) and has lost it's main focus, is great. And the reviews are really stunning !
Rock on !!!
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/email/news/breaking_news/14019011.htm
http://www.miamist.com/archives/2006/03/04/queen_still_the_champions.php
oh, and by the way, you guys shouldn't fuss about the setlist. You better appreciate that they play on American soil.
Enjoy the shows.[/QUOTE]
That is so damn true ! Being german I may be the false person to respond, but as Queen's US-career is an interesting topic for most of us fans, I feel free to do so anyway.
I went to the stadium in cologne, where 27.600 people attended the show. The stadium has a capacity of about 45.000. That attendence was a let-down for some afterwards, and I just could not understand. Because the show was a blast, with Paul Rodgers being quoted by a fan talking to him afterwards "that was the best so far".
I know it is an old and never-ending discussion on this board, but 9710 out of 14000 is - considering what has been stated about Miami and the musical taste of the people there - really good. We should be happy that the guys are out there again, and a 2/3-sellout of 50 % of a band, that struggled in the US for the last 24 years (!!!) and has lost it's main focus, is great. And the reviews are really stunning !
Rock on !!!
I think Roger and Brian would not agree, Regor -they want to sell out. If they have to tour to half empty venues- this is hurting the egos, therefore I wish them full houses.
From the audience point of view the main point is that the concerts go ahead. But from last year I have to say that I liked it better in packed halls (Brixton, Munich, Frankfurt) than in the half empty stadium in Cologne, it just was another atmosphere.
From the audience point of view the main point is that the concerts go ahead. But from last year I have to say that I liked it better in packed halls (Brixton, Munich, Frankfurt) than in the half empty stadium in Cologne, it just was another atmosphere.
Good point, YV. Especially Roger I think is keen on having the concerts sold out, being the archetypical Rockstar guy.
I often thought 2 times Kölnarena rather than one show at the stadium would have been great as well. But the concert was fantastic anyway.
I think we as fans should not be too dissapointed if venues are not completely sold out, especially in the US. As long as the vibe and atmosphere is great, thats all that matters.
One of the best gigs I've ever been to was The Cross in Bonn '88. There were about 50 people there... ;-)
But I see what you mean. Let's just hope the tour will be great fun for everyone involved and attending.
I often thought 2 times Kölnarena rather than one show at the stadium would have been great as well. But the concert was fantastic anyway.
I think we as fans should not be too dissapointed if venues are not completely sold out, especially in the US. As long as the vibe and atmosphere is great, thats all that matters.
One of the best gigs I've ever been to was The Cross in Bonn '88. There were about 50 people there... ;-)
But I see what you mean. Let's just hope the tour will be great fun for everyone involved and attending.
Check this article out... it shows the attendance figures for some major rock bands in the US:
http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=49126
As you can see, even these guys are only getting half-full attendances too. In the US its well known that the figures have been dwindling for a while. Just be greatful they are playing there at all... as for the setlist, of course I'd like to see more variety, but then again it's not as if most of us here are actually AT the shows... or are some people just thinking about bootlegs?!!
http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=49126
As you can see, even these guys are only getting half-full attendances too. In the US its well known that the figures have been dwindling for a while. Just be greatful they are playing there at all... as for the setlist, of course I'd like to see more variety, but then again it's not as if most of us here are actually AT the shows... or are some people just thinking about bootlegs?!!
The Cologne concert was the worst for me. Not in terms of the band's performance but because the stadium was half empty. I'll rather watch a gig in a club packed with 1000 people than in a half-empty stadium with capacity of 50000.
Yes, I feel totally the same, Martin.
"As you can see, even these guys are only getting half-full attendances too. Just be greatful they are playing there at all..... as for the setlist, of course I'd like to see more variety, but then again it's not as if most of us here are actually AT the shows... or are some people just thinking about bootlegs?!!"
But the people who post here are grateful enough, they bought the tickets for the tour:) That does not mean they are not allowed to have an opinion, does it? Also, if the tour does not sell well, there is not much chance of another one. I am convinced that Brian and Roger (don't know about PR) only do it because they enjoy it. If they want more money, they can go on producing that musical and releasing more material from the back catalogue. But they want the feedback of an audience because they are performing artists who want to play in front of a cheering crowd and if the crowd is not there, there is a zero chance they will do it again. Last year's tour got bigger and bigger because people bought tickets like mad.
As to the set lists, we can have an opinion, can't we? Even if it's not for some bootlegs that have not yet been recorded:) I think it's a pity they dropped IWIA and I think it was good to drop AKOM. I also understand why they dropped IWTBF which is a safe bank in Europe but remember the controversial video in the USA. I'll definitely continue to voice my opinion although I have no chance to be there.
"As you can see, even these guys are only getting half-full attendances too. Just be greatful they are playing there at all..... as for the setlist, of course I'd like to see more variety, but then again it's not as if most of us here are actually AT the shows... or are some people just thinking about bootlegs?!!"
But the people who post here are grateful enough, they bought the tickets for the tour:) That does not mean they are not allowed to have an opinion, does it? Also, if the tour does not sell well, there is not much chance of another one. I am convinced that Brian and Roger (don't know about PR) only do it because they enjoy it. If they want more money, they can go on producing that musical and releasing more material from the back catalogue. But they want the feedback of an audience because they are performing artists who want to play in front of a cheering crowd and if the crowd is not there, there is a zero chance they will do it again. Last year's tour got bigger and bigger because people bought tickets like mad.
As to the set lists, we can have an opinion, can't we? Even if it's not for some bootlegs that have not yet been recorded:) I think it's a pity they dropped IWIA and I think it was good to drop AKOM. I also understand why they dropped IWTBF which is a safe bank in Europe but remember the controversial video in the USA. I'll definitely continue to voice my opinion although I have no chance to be there.
Some other things to take into consideration;
I was able to freely (once I was inside) take pictures with my 35 MM camara (no flash).
Some of the best seats will be at the end of the catwalk if the arena has one. Many of the tunes were sung at the end of the walk!
Bohem was amazing even if you've seen the DVD this was so much better live!
Did anyone mention that there was no intermission? !!
2 1/2 hours of ROCK
The fans lit-up there cellphones to get them back out on stage for the encore!
I was able to freely (once I was inside) take pictures with my 35 MM camara (no flash).
Some of the best seats will be at the end of the catwalk if the arena has one. Many of the tunes were sung at the end of the walk!
Bohem was amazing even if you've seen the DVD this was so much better live!
Did anyone mention that there was no intermission? !!
2 1/2 hours of ROCK
The fans lit-up there cellphones to get them back out on stage for the encore!
Scully if you need real attendance figures for your awesome site email me.John
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Mr. Scully wrote: [/QUOTENAME]The Cologne concert was the worst for me. Not in terms of the band's performance but because the stadium was half empty. I'll rather watch a gig in a club packed with 1000 people than in a half-empty stadium with capacity of 50000.[/QUOTE]
Capacity 50.000 is for football games only. Phil Collins sold out with 42500 people. So Queen sold 64 %. But that's nitpicking ;-). I know it looked a bit empty, especially on the rear grandstands.
I did not attend any indoor show, but I am sure they were really intense and different. The cologne stadium-show is special for me, as I never ever expected to ever own a ticket with Queen written on it. And on the field the atmosphere was great, people were having a party. From what I've seen, the grandstands needed a lot more time to get into it, but AKOM and Radio Gaga made them all stand up. I could only go to this show, so this is really a wonderful memory for me.
Back to topic: the US-tour seems to sell quite well after all, Jacksonville was again 75-80% full. And the crowd seems to have been far more enthusiastic that Miami. The new song maybe a good sign for a further collaboration between the three of them, despite the fact that Paul used to be a bit reserved about the whole thing. And so I hope the story continues. Including a concert in the packed Kölnarena... ;-)))
Capacity 50.000 is for football games only. Phil Collins sold out with 42500 people. So Queen sold 64 %. But that's nitpicking ;-). I know it looked a bit empty, especially on the rear grandstands.
I did not attend any indoor show, but I am sure they were really intense and different. The cologne stadium-show is special for me, as I never ever expected to ever own a ticket with Queen written on it. And on the field the atmosphere was great, people were having a party. From what I've seen, the grandstands needed a lot more time to get into it, but AKOM and Radio Gaga made them all stand up. I could only go to this show, so this is really a wonderful memory for me.
Back to topic: the US-tour seems to sell quite well after all, Jacksonville was again 75-80% full. And the crowd seems to have been far more enthusiastic that Miami. The new song maybe a good sign for a further collaboration between the three of them, despite the fact that Paul used to be a bit reserved about the whole thing. And so I hope the story continues. Including a concert in the packed Kölnarena... ;-)))
It's just that they again do not realy deliver what they promise. In Europe they promised a 'rolling' setlist, as in that the setlist would be different every night. This never was the case - we only got two or three songs in the entire tour! By promising a 'rolling' setlist, you set expectations with fans. If the band does not live up to those expectations they raise themselves, the biggest fans are to ones that are most dissappointed.
Now, in the States, AGAIN they promised a rolling setllist. They even were VERY specific: more 70's material (they delivered NONE so far!) and more, different Paul Rodgers songs (not delivered).
Yes, we got the new song, which is fantastic!
Yes, we got Dragon Attack (which is a great addition, but NOT a 'seventies song' and I =personally= never liked it ;-)!)
Dropping IWTBF and Magic is logical because US just doesn't like of even know the songs. (And I totally am happy with it too - never liked IWTBF and Magic, I felt, never was the best 'fit' for Paul's voice.
Dropping IWIA is beyond me... And a disappointment!
It's a rocker the US MUST like and one of my personal favourites.
Then there are a couple of expectations that are still unanswered:
-Under Pressure (rehearsed and even played a couple of times and sounded GREAT!)
-Sleeping On the Sidewalk (rehearsed, could go down well even without PR singing it, AND it is a seventies song from an album that was big in the US, so audiences know it)
-Now I'm Here (rehearsed already in Europe - but maybe the song does not 'work' with this band. Hopefully an addition later on, cause this would answer the expectation that Roger lay upon us by promising stuff from 'the first three albums').
The tour is now two nights ahead - and of course they want to get warmed up first and thus maybe choose the 'safe' way... But they better do change something before the tour hits New York, or else the fans will feel a bit dissappointed again.
No-one is realy complaining, I think - we are just a bit worried to be disappointed again.
Honestly, I am sure: if they promised us a non-changing setlist with just the general crowdpleasers and then delivered what they have been delivering so far, you would have heard a LOT less complaints from our side.
---
And on the other subject of attendance: I will ALWAYS prefer a small gig in favor of a stadium show - no matter the artist.
Though, to Martin and Barb,; you just had bad luck with your seats in Koln... Because the venue is so big, the distance is just TOO big to feel the show. You could have felt the show if the distance between you and the band had been packed with a wild crowd... Unfortunately that crowd wasn't there.
I have to say, up front the atmosphere was awesome and I still, truly feel Koln as the greatest day of 'my' tour - both because of the performance AND the atmosphere.
Now, in the States, AGAIN they promised a rolling setllist. They even were VERY specific: more 70's material (they delivered NONE so far!) and more, different Paul Rodgers songs (not delivered).
Yes, we got the new song, which is fantastic!
Yes, we got Dragon Attack (which is a great addition, but NOT a 'seventies song' and I =personally= never liked it ;-)!)
Dropping IWTBF and Magic is logical because US just doesn't like of even know the songs. (And I totally am happy with it too - never liked IWTBF and Magic, I felt, never was the best 'fit' for Paul's voice.
Dropping IWIA is beyond me... And a disappointment!
It's a rocker the US MUST like and one of my personal favourites.
Then there are a couple of expectations that are still unanswered:
-Under Pressure (rehearsed and even played a couple of times and sounded GREAT!)
-Sleeping On the Sidewalk (rehearsed, could go down well even without PR singing it, AND it is a seventies song from an album that was big in the US, so audiences know it)
-Now I'm Here (rehearsed already in Europe - but maybe the song does not 'work' with this band. Hopefully an addition later on, cause this would answer the expectation that Roger lay upon us by promising stuff from 'the first three albums').
The tour is now two nights ahead - and of course they want to get warmed up first and thus maybe choose the 'safe' way... But they better do change something before the tour hits New York, or else the fans will feel a bit dissappointed again.
No-one is realy complaining, I think - we are just a bit worried to be disappointed again.
Honestly, I am sure: if they promised us a non-changing setlist with just the general crowdpleasers and then delivered what they have been delivering so far, you would have heard a LOT less complaints from our side.
---
And on the other subject of attendance: I will ALWAYS prefer a small gig in favor of a stadium show - no matter the artist.
Though, to Martin and Barb,; you just had bad luck with your seats in Koln... Because the venue is so big, the distance is just TOO big to feel the show. You could have felt the show if the distance between you and the band had been packed with a wild crowd... Unfortunately that crowd wasn't there.
I have to say, up front the atmosphere was awesome and I still, truly feel Koln as the greatest day of 'my' tour - both because of the performance AND the atmosphere.
Lindsay Lohan ever performed Under Pressure the other night...that's one of Queen's Top 10 most well-known songs in the US so I don't understand why that's dropped.
I think they're too scared to do a rolling setlist though...if I were them I'd want people to rave about how good the show was rather than get tons of bad reviews. Their setlists are always so well constructed and when you change one song (especially to something obscure) it can throw the whole thing off....
I think they're too scared to do a rolling setlist though...if I were them I'd want people to rave about how good the show was rather than get tons of bad reviews. Their setlists are always so well constructed and when you change one song (especially to something obscure) it can throw the whole thing off....