Queen and Adam Lambert Brisbane concert review

Singer Adam Lambert has honoured the commitment of more than 40,000 soggy Queen fans who showed up to see the rock legends during pouring rain.

THE rain was relentless and unforgiving but a stadium full of music fans couldn’t have cared less.

Nothing was going to stop the 40,000-strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium as they witnessed the music of legends they thought they’d never watch live again.

‘Parasite’: Brian May allegedly lashes out at cameraman

Queen guitarist Brian May recounts the moment he lost his temper at a Brisbane cameraman

In what was more of a rebirth than a tribute show, Queen and Adam Lambert kicked off the Australian leg of their Rhapsody Tour in Brisbane, keeping the spirit of Freddie Mercury well and truly alive.

More than 40,000 fans endured the rain to watch Queen with Adam Lambert at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: AAP image/John Gass

Original Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor shared the stage with a commanding Lambert, as he made it clear he was there to celebrate the brilliance of Mercury, not replace.

‘I’m going to address something that needs addressing,” said Lambert straight up to screaming fans.

“I’m not Freddie Mercury, there will only be one rock god.

“I’m a fan like you, just a little more dry,” he laughed, understating the rain as it drenched fans for the entire two-and-a-half hour set.

Adam Lambert honoured late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Picture: AAP image/John Gass

The band opened their set with Now I’m Here before moving into Keep Yourself Alive, Killer Queen and Don’t Stop Me Now. And the classics kept coming; Fat Bottomed Girls, Another One Bites the Dust and I Want it All.

May made his way down the catwalk stage to a small gazebo, barely sheltered from the rain, as he played Love of My Life. It was so wet, the roadies had to deliver his guitar to him covered in a poncho.

Adam Lambert and Brian May rock out Suncorp Stadium. Picture: AAP image, John Gass

As he played guitar like it was the peak of Queen’s fame in the ‘70s and ‘80s, alongside Taylor, the men proved why their legendary status.

With Mercury one of the greatest musicians the world has ever seen, the pressure on Lambert is intense.

Fans were desperate to witness the closest thing they could to Mercury. And, well, it must be said, it would be hard to find someone more perfect than Lambert. The stage presence. The charisma. The voice.

Lambert, who was discovered on American Idol, has breathed new life into the songs that shaped history.

With the flamboyancy of Mercury, albeit expressing it more freely than in the ‘80s, Lambert danced under the rain, gyrated on stage and hit notes no man should be able to hit all in high-heel platform shoes.

He’s captured the perfect balance between honouring history and making them his own.

Genuinely grateful to be in Brisbane, Lambert thanked the crowd for braving the elements in what has become a common theme for big stars touring on rainy nights this year in Queensland.

“It’s ridiculous out there,” he said.

“I love you and thank you for getting wet for us, we hope we’re making your night worth it.”

Holding an umbrella, he let the rain fall over him in Crazy Little Thing Called Love before letting his vocals soar in Somebody to Love and I Want to Break Free.

Brian May rocks out in front of the adoring crowd. Picture: AAP image/John Gass

The rain kept coming, harder and faster, but so did the music.

Fans were in full voice when it came to absolute cult classic Bohemian Rhapsody, which featured a clip of the original band on the big screen, before they moved into the encore, We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions.

For Queen, it was and always will be, about the music.

There was no mention from May about the drama that’s followed him since he arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday, after he pushed a cameraman and called him a ‘parasite’ after landing in the city.

Adam Lambert watches Brian May perform. Picture: AAP image, John Gass

May took to Instagram with a lengthy explanation about the incident saying he was “one of the rudest and most disrespectful video cameramen.”

But all seemed to be forgotten as he did what he came here to do, entertain.

With Lambert by their side and Freddie in their hearts, Queen are making sure the musical legacy they leave is stronger than ever.

The Queen + Adam Lambert – The Rhapsody Tour continues on to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide before coming back to Queensland with a show on February 29 at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.