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| Queen + Adam Lambert @ the Chase Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As the clock approached 8:30 pm on a Wednesday night, anticipation built within the Chase Center in San Francisco. A mesmerizing display of mechanical gears unfolded on a vast screen that spanned the front of the colossal stage. Slowly, robots emerged, navigating the turning gears, and signaling the imminent commencement of the show. The atmospheric introduction gave way to the rhythmic resonance of drum cymbals and keyboard synths, heralding the beginning of Queen's "Machines (or Back to Humans)." Freddie Mercury's recorded vocals pierced the air with the opening lyric, 'When the Machines Take Over.' And the arena was instantly bathed in a kaleidoscope of lasers emanating from every angle, creating a dazzling spectacle. Simultaneously, the mammoth screen ascended toward the rafters, unveiling the legendary collaboration of Queen + Adam Lambert.
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| Adam Lambert & Roger Taylor @ the Chase Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The transition from "Machines" seamlessly flowed into "Radio Ga Ga," where Adam's dynamic vocals enveloped the audience at the Chase Center in a spiritual experience. It was only the first song of the night and already it felt as though Freddie Mercury's presence was casting a benevolent gaze, manifesting through Adam and connecting with the crowd in a profound way.
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| Adam Lambert @ the Chase Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Renowned for his theatrical flair, Adam Lambert appeared onstage adorned in a musical superhero ensemble. His silver and purple attire featured a flowing cape, chest plate, arm-length gloves, and oversized sunglasses reminiscent of Bono's iconic Fly glasses. Positioned just behind Adam's central stage location, Roger Taylor held his place behind the drum kit, while the legendary guitarist, Brian May, occupied a spot not far from the center-right of the stage. Throughout the night, both Adam and Brian gracefully took turns navigating the 50-foot long catwalk, which extended from the stage towards the center floor of the arena.
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| Adam Lambert & Brian May @ the Chase Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
From my perspective, I can't stress enough how well Adam Lambert fits into the monumental role left behind by Freddie Mercury's passing. There's simply no other living singer who can capture the flamboyance and master the vocal range that Freddie so brilliantly possessed. Despite Adam's decade-long tenure touring with Queen, this marked my inaugural experience witnessing their performance, and it left me utterly captivated. The evening unfolded as a tour de force, guiding the audience through a spectacular array of Queen's greatest hits. It effortlessly highlighted not only the dynamic range of Adam's vocals but also underscored the remarkable diversity found within the extensive catalog of Queen's hits.
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| Queen's Brian May @ the Chase Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Honestly, it's a challenge for me to pinpoint my favorite moments from the night because there were just so many remarkable ones! In a particularly memorable instance during "A Kind of Magic," Brian May graced the end of the catwalk, treating the audience to a guitar solo while launching fireworks from the neck of his guitar. Another poignant moment unfolded when Brian paused to address the crowd before "Love of My Life," a song dedicated to Freddie. He candidly shared his feelings of insecurity, expressing, 'you know I love to hear you sing, and I love to see your lights.' As he sat at the edge of the catwalk, playing the opening notes on his acoustic, the Chase Center illuminated with the glow of the crowd's collective phone lights.
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| Adam Lambert @ the Chase Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
If I had to choose just one song from the night, it would undoubtedly be the rendition of "Who Wants to Live Forever." The performance started with Freddie's recorded harmonized vocals, seamlessly transitioning into a hauntingly melodic crescendo of Adam's beautifully elongated verses. His notes resonated, gracefully soaring throughout the entire arena, leaving an indelible impression that still gives me goosebumps when recalling the performance. Brian's guitar introduced an additional layer, employing a slow, layered effect that perfectly complemented Adam's emotive delivery.
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| Adam Lambert & Roger Taylor @ the Chase Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Undoubtedly, the biggest hits of the night were the true crowd-pleasers – a well-deserved accolade. The main set concluded with the powerful performances of "The Show Must Go On" and the timeless "Bohemian Rhapsody." Following a brief intermission, the band returned to deliver a spectacular encore featuring the anthems "We Will Rock You," a reprisal of "Radio Ga Ga," and the triumphant finale, "We Are the Champions." As we, the audience, exited the venue that night, there was an unmistakable sense that we had all just experienced a musical victory akin to winning the Super Bowl. Champions indeed, and what an extraordinary night it was!
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