Queen and Adam Lambert rock Sydney in a performance packed with classic hits

FREDDIE Mercury might loom large over Queen’s rebirth with American singer Adam Lambert, but their Sydney gig was infinitely more than just a tribute show.

Adam Lambert won over the crowd at Queen’s show in Sydney. Picture: Christian Gilles

THUNDERBOLTS and lightning, laser beams and disco balls, two master craftsman and their accomplished apprentice armed with a barrage of some of the best and most loved songs recorded in rock history.

Welcome to Queen and Adam Lambert, the reboot the world had no clue it needed until it happened.

The opening show of their second Australian tour in four years at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena played to a sold out crowd who had already bought into the concept of Lambert stepping into the formidable shoes of rock god Freddie Mercury.

And in the beginning numbers, even with the brilliance and commanding presence of Brian May and Roger Taylor, it did have the feel of a tribute concert.

Adam Lambert, Roger Taylor and Brian May on stage in Sydney. Picture: Christian Gilles

But Lambert has considerable experience at winning over the Queen crowd.

Emerging back on stage after a costume change on top of the head of Frank, the intelligent robot who graced the cover of their News Of The World album, to sing Killer Queen and wearing a brilliant fuchsia suit, Lambert addressed what he called the “pink elephant in the

room”.

“I know what you’re thinking, he’s no Freddie. No s***,” he said to huge cheers, acknowledging there would only ever be one Freddie Mercury and exalting the crowd to celebrate the rock god.

Those Queen classics had the crowd in raptures. Picture: Christian Gilles

From that moment, as he broke into Don’t Stop Me Now, the concert elevated beyond mere tribute to a stellar rock show packed with not only songs which remain potent and indelible in the contemporary songbook to a masterclass in design, lighting and supreme musicianship.

While Mercury never dialled down the camp factor, Lambert is undoubtedly more free to express his flamboyance in an era when gay performers are not only accepted but powerful pop chart-toppers.

Freddie Mercury still looms large over Queen. Picture: Supplied

“You’re thinking, I’m no Freddie. No s**t,” said Adam Lambert. Picture: Christian Gilles

His hilariously camp Bicycle Race underscored how far the world has come just weeks after Australia celebrated the legislation of marriage equality and less than two weeks before the 40th anniversary of the Mardi Gras parade in Sydney.

Lambert amped up the sexuality with the unbridled rock lust of Get Down Make Love before he, May and Taylor, augmented by three superlative band mates, got down to the business of delivering one nostalgic punch after another.

On I Want It All, their voices locked into an enthralling chemistry which reminded you how intrinsic vocal harmony was to Queen’s power.

May and Taylor’s skills, both as musicians and vocalists are undiminished, making you believe in the age-defying properties of a life in the service of rock’n’roll.

Queen and Adam Lambert played to a full house in Sydney. Picture: Christian Gilles

“I just say I never take any if this for granted ... I never thought I would be back here at the age of 85 doing this ... hopefully I will be,” the revered 70-year-old guitarist joked.

He struck a beautifully poignant note singing Love of my Life as a duet with the crowd taking Freddie’s part as they lit the stadium with their phones. Mercury then joined him on the video screens to sing the last chorus. It was classy with the right dose of sentimentality.

If that moment raised goosebumps, then the performance of Taylor and Lambert singing Under Pressure felt like it summoned the ghosts of Mercury and David Bowie into the arena. They felt that present.

Brian May and Adam Lambert on stage in Sydney. Picture: Christian Gilles

The co-stars of this incarnation of Queen and Adam Lambert concerts is the gobsmacking lighting design. A giant disco ball lowered during I Want To Break Free turned the entire arena into a club while the lasers which stretched across the cavernous space for Who Wants To Live Forever rivalled any concert production staged in Australia. And New Year’s Eve fireworks to boot.

It was a setlist designed to thrill both the most ardent and populist of fans — Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Another One Bites The Dust, Fat Bottomed Girls, Somebody To Love, I Want To Break Free, Radio Ga Ga and Bohemian Rhapsody.

Adam Lambert has big shoes to fill, and filled them admirably. Picture: Christian Gilles

Whether or not May’s quip about keeping this reboot going until he is 85 is wishful thinking, long may he, Taylor, Lambert and the Queen of now reign.

Queen and Adam Lambert perform again on Thursday at Qudos Bank Arena, then Brisbane

Enterianment Centre on Saturday, Adelaide Entertainment Centre on

February 27 and 28, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, March 2 and 3 and

Perth Arena, March 6.

Fans delighted in Brian May’s sublime guitar skills. Picture: Christian Gilles

Originally published as Queen and Adam Lambert rock Sydney in a performance packed with classic hits