Queen at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne: First night review

ADAM Lambert may well have the toughest job in modern music — fronting Queen. But the American singer brings his own personality and vocal prowess to the gig, rather than merely doing karaoke Freddie Mercury.

ADAM Lambert may well have the toughest job in modern music — fronting Queen.

However the American singer brings his own personality and vocal prowess to the gig, rather than merely doing karaoke Freddie Mercury.

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We’ve all seen when the replacement singer in a superstar band doesn’t work, but this is a triumph.

Now on their second Australian tour with Lambert, Queen’s guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor are clearly loving keeping their music pumping in arenas.

Queen and Adam Lambert perform at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Picture: Tony Gough

Adam Lambert at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Tony Gough

Lambert’s even more comfortable in his night job this time around. He not only nails those insanely high notes (Bohemian Rhaposdy, Somebody to Love) but the rapid fire wordplay of Stone Cold Crazy and the theatrical camp of Killer Queen and Don’t Stop Me Now.

Plus Lambert has his own flamboyant stage craft to put his stamp on one of the best known catalogues in rock.

It’s the songs that sell the show — anyone who has a problem with Queen continuing just needs to watch the audience both young and old beaming with joy. And there’s a not inconsiderable amount of Lambert’s own diehard fans.

Brian May performs at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Tony Gough

Adam Lambert at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Picture: Tony Gough

Adam Lambert at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Picture: Tony Gough

Lambert points out early on, in case it wasn’t evident, the entire show is a tribute to Mercury. “Some of you out there might be thinking ’He’s no Freddie’. No shit,” he says. “There will only be one rock god named Freddie Mercury.”

After a burst of “Australia’s national anthem” Highway to Hell by AC/DC May takes over vocal duties to sing Love of My Life. He’s then ‘joined’ by Mercury singing on video.

Lambert also now gets to perform his own solo hit, Whataya Want From Me. And while the staging and production is state of art May and Taylor shamelessly bring back the lengthy and bombastic guitar and drum solos like it’s 1978.

Queen and Adam Lambert play Rod Laver Arena again on Saturday night

Originally published as Queen at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne: First night review