Out of all the legendary bands that are still active, Queen just might be the hottest. Songs that ring eternal, new generations of fans discovering their history, and the highest grossing drama of all time (plus some Academy Awards). In the age of the internet, they might even be the biggest they've ever been since losing Freddie Mercury years ago. "Bohemian Rhapsody" even set records on YouTube last month, surpassing one billion views. But despite all of that success, you have to ask the core question: Does the live show still hold up?
Spoiler alert: The answer is yes. Yes, it does.
The incredible combo of Queen and their chosen singer of eight years, Adam Lambert, proved to gel perfectly at the BB&T center on Saturday night. The set list was epic, the instrumentation was spot on, and the stage show was spectacular. They presented themselves in a way that felt modern and classic all at once, combining appropriately operatic imagery, black and white film footage, and cool moving graphics. I mean, the intro itself was more dazzling than most shows you see. From the beginning music of "Innuendo" to the band's magical reveal for "Now I'm Here," they proved they've still got it. Brian May and Roger Taylor absolutely killed it. May in particular showed that he's still one of the premiere guitar players out there, performing an amazing intergalactic guitar solo that had the whole crowd entranced. What a talent.
And speaking of picking talent, let's talk Adam Lambert. What a guy. What a showman. What a perfect supporting player to help Brian May and Roger Taylor carry on the legacy they started back in the '70s. He brilliantly carved out his own place on that stage all while playing tribute to the man himself, Freddie. And don't even get us started on the Freddie tributes. Two moments in particular featured classic footage of Mercury worked into the show, and we'd love to know how many tears were shed as a result.
Basically what we're saying here is this: If Queen + Adam Lambert end up in your area, please go. You owe it to yourself.
We give this concert 10 out of 10 Ay-Oh's.