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AT QUEEN SHOW IN PHILADELPHIA, ‘NEW GUY’ ADAM LAMBERT ELECTRIFIES CROWD
17 Jul 2014 by Tim Hawk | South Jersey Times
Queen + Adam Lambert perform at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Wednesday, July 16, 2014. (Staff Photo by Tim Hawk/South Jersey Times)
The “new guy,” as Adam Lambert was referred to by Queen guitarist Brian May, held his own as the British rock band performed at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Wednesday night.
The 2009 “American Idol finalist” didn’t pretend to be Freddy Mercury but rather put his own twist on the classic songs. Backed by the powerful playing of original members May and drummer Roger Taylor, who was assisted by his son Rufus on the drums, Lambert came out dressed in leather and sunglasses and belted out “Now I’m Here” and “Stone Cold Crazy.”
Lambert’s personality and flamboyancy finally showed in “Killer Queen,” where he sang atop a purple and gold chaise lounge on a mini-stage that extended into the crowd.
Midway through the show, May sat down with an acoustic guitar and with the help of Mercury, who appeared on a large oval video screen, sang “Love of My Life.” The show lost some momentum as the band went through a series of bass, drum and guitar solos, but picked back up with “Tie Your Mother Down.” The sold-out crowd stood and clapped along with “Radio Ga Ga” and remained on their feet for “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
They closed the main set with fan favorite “Bohemian Rhapsody” with the crowd roaring as Mercury’s image appeared one last time to sing with Lambert.
For the encore, Lambert wore a jeweled crown and leopard suit, urging the crowd to sing along with “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions.”
he band returns to the area Saturday, July 26 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets start at $39.50. For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com