Review: Queen + Adam Lambert at the 02 – 6 June

After kicking off the Party at the Palace in style, Queen and Adam Lambert take their Rhapsody Tour to London’s 02 Arena for an incredible 10 shows full of timeless rock anthems.

It has been over 30 years since the death of Freddie Mercury but his legacy is in good hands as original members Brian May and Roger Taylor celebrate the magic of Queen and the genius of Freddie Mercury with the help of lead singer Adam Lambert.

The show kicked off with some of the lesser-known Queen songs like “Now I’m Here” and “Tear it Up” before the heavy-hitting crowd-pleasing favourites like “Somebody to Love” and “Killer Queen.”

These songs encapsulated what Adam Lambert brings to the band as he performs the rock anthems with such confidence, flair and stage persona that would make the late-music icon proud.

The timeless Queen tracks don’t need any help in making them exciting and entertaining for a large crowd but the stunning visual effects took the show to the next level and turned up the party atmosphere inside the 02 Arena.

The band and crew involved created a special experience for the Queen fans in the arena to watch in wonder. From fireworks coming out of Brian May’s guitar during the solo for ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ to arena-spanning strobe lights and a rotating motorbike, the show had it all.

Speaking to the audience, Brian May said that he was ‘lost for words’ and that to be back at the 02 to this reception was ‘f**king incredible.’

EXCLUSIVE COMPETITIONS! BEST PRIZE GIVEAWAYS

EXCLUSIVE COMPETITIONS! BEST PRIZE GIVEAWAYS

He then took centre stage with his acoustic guitar to perform an emotional rendition of Love of My Life, joined by Freddie on the big screen. The arena was lit by thousands of phone torches and the audience sang along in unison, it was an incredibly moving moment as Brian May paid tribute to his friend.

Bohemian Rhapsody is arguably one of the greatest songs of all time and without doubt the dramatic song worthy of closing out the main section of the show. It was an exciting rendition that included fireworks, strobe lights and even Freddie Mercury on the screen for the operatic section.

The encore started with Freddie Mercury on the big screen performing his Live Aid ‘Ay-Oh’ with the whole of the 02 Arena joining along. Even 30 years after his death, Freddie has the audience in the palm of his hands.

The concert ended with two anthems that were built for the big occasions and the biggest arenas/stadiums. There wasn’t a person in the 02 that wasn’t clapping along and stomping their feet to ‘We Will Rock You’ and similarly, everyone in unison sang along at the top of their voice for ‘We are the Champions.’

Queen and Adam Lambert may have had its doubters to begin with but the show is an incredibly powerful way of keeping the memory of one of the greatest lead singers in rock history alive and celebrating the music of this revered band.

Photographer: Bojan Hohnjec.