QUEEN RULES COAST
THEY SAVED THE BEST TILL LAST
THEY saved the best for last.
Music royalty Queen brought its seven-date Rhapsody Tour to a thundering close on the Gold Coast on Saturday night with what many call the greatest song ever written.
Bohemian Rhapsody, the sixminute single that changed the face of music, was meant to be sung by tens of thousands of people. It brought a sold-out Metricon Stadium to its feet.
Stadium spirits soared with longterm frontman Adam Lambert’s soul-stirring range, a wild-maned Brian May snatching spine-tingling solos and Roger Taylor bashing away on the kit.
While heavy rain dampened the
Brisbane parade earlier this month, the Gold Coast heavens held off in respect for the legendary rock act, formed in London 50 years ago.
There were a few covers – a singalong to Farnham’s The Voice in Aussie solidarity – but the band gave fans what they wanted to hear.
More than two hours of unrelenting energy and showmanship, a feat few acts today can hope to emulate.
Now I’m Here kicked off a generous song set, with Another One Bites The Dust, Under Pressure, I Want to Break Free, Radio Ga Ga and Somebody To Love among crowd favourites.
Lambert’s voice is a weapon. Sound, production and costuming came to the party.
Smoke jets, asteroid podiums and ceilings of scintillating light dazzled, but some of the most special moments were stripped back – just May perched on a stool, throwing the choruses to the Coast.
Love of My Life sparked a constellation of swaying smartphones as an immortalised Freddie Mercury swaggered on to screen to share the stage with an old friend.
“We’ve been through hell and high water on this tour. It’s not been an easy one but it’s been a joy,” May shared in another intimate moment. “It’s amazing to see this incredible arena sold-out. Thank you for being here for us.”
The home ground of the Gold Coast Suns reverberated with adopted sporting anthems We Are The
Champions and We Will Rock You, their inimitable rhythm tattooed by 40,000 pairs of feet in the inevitable encores.
With lessons hard won from certain ceremonies past, free public transport helped concertgoers break free of traffic woes, an army of shuttle buses under pressure to ensure fans didn’t miss a moment of the historic Gold Coast show.
Fans agree it must go on, Metricon Stadium resoundingly proving its potential and Lambert acknowledging our appetite for live music events of this scale: “Gold Coast, you’re the rowdiest crowd in Australia yet.”