Queen + Adam Lambert
American Airlines Center
Dallas, Texas
Photos and article by Daniel Martinez
Living legends walking among men. That’s one way to describe Queen. A catalog that transcends time. Music that passes generations, and you could see that at the sold out American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas where fans from all ages gathered for the first of two nights on Thursday evening. Queen and Adam Lambert managed to stop the behemoth train that is The Rhapsody Tour deep in the heart of Texas.
The massive stage production overlooked the arena as thousands embarked into their seats where they would patiently wait. The clock stuck eight-fifteen and it was showtime! The LEDs came on as it projected the machines invading the Queen emblem as Machines (Or ‘Back to Humans) is being played. The massive LED screen slowly ascends revealing Queen and Adam Lambert as they transition into Radio Ga Ga, a personal favorite of mine. “You made ‘em laugh, you made ‘em cry. You made us feel like we could fly” vocals uttered by Adam Lambert, and lyrics that resonate with everyone that shares the love for this iconic band. As Brian May walks down the peninsula-like stage he strums his guitar to the intro riff of Hammer to Fall setting up the night for what’s to come.
“I want to ride my bicycle” A motorcycle dressed top to bottom with countless of headlights slowly emerges. Adam Lambert sits on the bike in leather as the floor slowly rotates while he performs Bicycle Race. It’s been 10 years since Adam joined the legendary group. The showmanship he produces is through the roof, and it’s well showcased throughout the night. He made the arena come alive during Don’t Stop Me Now. Everyone was on their feet, singing and dancing.
A drum set appears at the end of the stage. Original member, Roger Taylor performs a drum solo for the thousands gathered at the American Airlines Center. The drum solo leads into Under Pressure, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, and I Want to Break Free. Hit after hit but it was time to bring the volume knob down for a little bit, May stations himself at the end of the now empty peninsula stage. An acoustic guitar awaits him as he performs Love of My Life. While performing this song, a recording of Freddie Mercury appears on screen as both duet the song. An emotional moment for both May and the fans. Brian May then concluded his lonesome act with an incredible guitar solos. It’s no surprised that May has a love for outer space and his guitar solo is a love letter to it. An asteroid image projected from the LED screen as May was elevated on top of it. Planets descended from above, as Brian doodled with his guitar. The planets reacted to the notes. In was truly an out of this world experience.
Any way the wind blows. Bohemian Rhapsody. Such an iconic song that needs no introduction. However everyone was waiting for that introduction, and the whole arena came unglued as soon as Mercury’s vocals were heard. Lambert took over as the band played. The song helped showcase the wide vocal range of Adam. Freddie appeared on the massive screen as everyone cheered and sang along with him. Pyro went off at the last bit of the song while May plays the iconic riff everyone loves. Adam thanks everyone as the lights dim and the band walks off the stage.
We are the champions. The encore begins and we’re greeted with footage of Freddie doing the iconic “Ay-Oh” bit as the band plays We Will Rock You. Lambert and Queen take us back to the start of the night as they perform the last bit of Radio Ga Ga. The night concludes with We Are the Champions. Lambert now dressed in a white and gold jacket welcomes us to the song with his vocals. Brian May was wearing a black jacket removes it revealing a Texas Rangers jersey, very fitting since they won the World Series two nights ago when they defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks. Obviously everyone appreciated the gesture as they cheered. Confetti rained down on everyone and the night concluded.
The Rhapsody Tour had a lot of everything. It not only showed the chemistry between Queen and Adam Lambert but it also celebrated decades of music that changed the world. Music that will live forever. Freddie Mercury’s will also live forever and you can see and feel it at every Queen and Adam Lambert show.
Setlist:
Machines (Or ‘Back to Humans’)
Radio Ga Ga
Hammer to Fall
Another One Bites the Dust
I’m in Love With My Car
Bicycle Race
Fat Bottomed Girls
I Want It All
A Kind of Magic
Killer Queen
Don’t Stop Me Now
Somebody to Love
Love of My Life
’39
Under Pressure
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
I Want to Break Free
Who Wants to Live Forever
Is This the World We Created
The Show Must Go On
Bohemian Rhapsody
Encore:
We Will Rock You
Radio Ga Ga
We Are the Champions
