30 April 2005 Queen and Paul Rodgers live at the Globen.                          Review by Andrew Brel.

The Globen theatre is located amidst a cluster of concrete buildings some 3km south of Stockholm. A large oval (10,000 seater) with tiers of seating overlooking a standing area. The stage is arranged with a section protruding as a peninsular into to the middle of the floor area.

We have arrived ten minutes prior to the advertised 8 PM start. Enough time to queue with the orderly locals for a pint of lager, (5 Pounds) and observe more than one Russian speaker with a Harley Davidson jacket and an 80's mullet.

While we sip our beers and soak up the atmosphere (understated in that peculiarly polite and orderly Swedish way) we notice the advertisements for acts soon to perform at the Globen. R.E.M, Bruce Springsteen, Crosby Still and Nash, do tend rather heavily toward the over 50 age group. So ageism is a factor in this experience we decide as we take our seats in the hall. The older generation seated in the tiers to the sides - and the standing room filled with those of a more youthful persuasion.

As you would expect at a concert by a band formed over thirty years ago, the evening's atmosphere is constructed on a solid foundation of nostalgia. Many here tonight will recall a previous visit to a Queen show. 

The last time I went to a Queen show was in Sun City some 20 years ago. A peerless rock show then, led by the most exciting performer of his generation, unforgettable Freddie. Could it be an overextended ambition for the surviving band members to attempt to put on a Queen show without him? Twenty years older and without the iconic personality whose presence seems so inextricably embossed in the 'spirit of Queen.'

Not much time to ponder any of that though, as within minutes of the advertised start time there are signs of activity on the stage.  

There is not support act to warm the crowd. That task turns out to be achieved quite spectacularly by playing Eminem's classic anthem to pre performance nerves 'Lose yourself' very loud.

 'Look - if you had one shot one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted - one moment - would you capture it or let it slip.' 'One shot do not miss your chance to blow cause opportunity goes once in a lifetime.....'

The song raises the energy in the room like an electric shock to the groin; the band takes the stage behind the black curtain. Brian announces his arrival to the waiting crowd with a power chord phrase as the Emimem song fades - his trademark guitar sound as convincingly distinctive as ever. Paul voice takes over from the Eminem track. 'Reachin out' a gospel song with plangent organ backing. The curtain falls as the lights hit the band.

'Tie your Mother down' is as good as opening song as any rock band ever had to call on as an opening song.  And the show is up and running. Six players seizing the moment. Brian introduces Paul Rodgers as 'one of the greatest singers in the world' and his performance leaves little doubt that this is the case. The set list is clinically organised. Paul's hits interspersed with the Queen favourites with such precision one is left marvelling at the skill that composed this set list. Albeit having such a rich list of classic songs to choose from.

Then came the first of three moments that transcended a mere rock show.

Brian walks to the front of the stage extension where two stools have been placed in the spotlight. One for Brian and his twelve string and the other for the absent singer who used to perform 'love of my life' from that position. Well. Brian sings 'Love of my life' as if the presence of Freddie has infused his very soul. The crowd respond with a near perfect vocal accompaniment. Their harmonious collective voice filling the cavernous venue to the rafters.  More than one of the 'elders' in the stands is driven to tears. For a moment it seems we are at more of a church remembrance ceremony than at rock show. And it's an emotional moment the like of which is more in keeping with classic Opera than Rock and Roll. Although thats not to understate how much this show rocks.

There are many highlights in the show. It's a case of moving from highlight to highlight, with only occasional breathing space for Rogers drum solo, 'Let there be drums' and a mirror ball guitar epic reading of Brian's solo track 'Horizon' that helps give the crowd breathing space while setting up the next great 'Freddie' moment. 

With the collective repertoire of Queen and Paul Rodgers to trawl for hits its not surprising that almost every song choice represents a classic moment in the audiences musical past. Paul Rodgers singing his Free hit 'Wishing well' sounded better than ever.  The lyric seemed to have dated not in the least. 'I Know what your wishing for - Love and a peaceful world.' Indeed!
Feel like making love' benefited from outstanding attention to harmonic detail by the 'elderly brothers' Spike and Jamie, whose harmony singing throughout the evening was, as ever, immaculate.

But really - as the show unfolds it becomes clear that the unique element of this show is about a special chemistry that started over thirty years back and that even death seemingly cannot put to rest.

When Roger steps down from the drum riser to sing 'Days of our lives' in the background a large screen rolls film of the 'fab fours' glorious hair styled days. Brian joins Roger at the microphone for the chorus and the sight of the two standing together in the same space where once stood Fred did for a moment almost make it seem as if the special one was in the room beside them. The elders around me were by now all of a sob. Unusual for a rock show I thought. So much sobbing.

Thankfully the light relief of Paul Rodgers back catalogue provided a timely balance. 'Cant get enough' was made all the more fragrant for his in between line banter. Far be it for me to give it away here - look out for it when you see the show (or buy the DVD). He is a singer with a great sense of humour. (And that's not a cryptic reference to the tightness of his leather trousers.)

And what of the age issue? Would a drummer on the other side of 55 really be able to meet the physical demands of biffing tightened skins very hard with wooden sticks for over two hours whilst still appearing to have a good time? The answer has to be 'Roger for Prime Minister. His distinctive drumming style has never appeared in finer fettle. I struggled to think of a drummer who could have matched the art in his performance.

And as for Brian's guitar playing?

There is a football truism that managers of very young teams bring forward. 'If they are good enough they are old enough'.

This band is 'good enough so they are young enough'. It is hard to imagine many guitar players capable of putting out such a consistently high level of guitar technique for over two hours. The old sixpence plectrum - through a wall of Vox AC30's and Brian's always intelligent choice of phrasing, timing and melody ensured that even when indulging in a lengthy 'me and my echo' solo guitar spectacular, he remains one of only a small handful of guitarists who are instantly identifiable by their signature sound.  Never has a sixpence been applied to better profit than that in Brian's plectrum hand.

As the show wound toward its climax, the hits collection flowed thick and rich. 'Radio ga ga' - 'Cant get enough of your love' It's a kind of magic' and 'I want it all' created a natural progress toward a show stopper. What would that be? Surely not Freddie singing 'Bohemian Rhapsody'?

The crowd were mesmerised. For the third time the elders in the stands sobbed unreservedly as Freddie sings 'Life had just begun and now I've gone and thrown it all way' from the large screen on stage. When the band take over for the final rock out part of the song, it's no more than a breathing space for the sobbers to regain their composure before the famous final scene. Reconciling the thought that Life does indeed imitate art.

The encores of 'Alright now' 'We will Rock you' and 'We are the champions' are so well suited to Paul's voice that the catharsis is complete. Surely Freddie would have been proud. So much respect and so much........ love.

And on the way back to the Hotel as we discussed the show and its relative merits, we were left with little doubt that we had been royally entertained. After all - for a few moments tonight we were in a packed room with a crowd going wild at the sight of Freddie singing his heart out. And all done in the best possible taste. The King is dead long live the Queen.  

Spike and the early morning Coffee at the Grand

Jamie in the morning.....

 

E MAIL / HOME / CELESTIAL7 / LINKS