When it comes to Adam Lambert's multitude of diehard fans, sharing is caring, which is reason enough for one such Glambert to upload to YouTube all two hours of Queen's Ukraine show on June 30, featuring the American Idol season 8 runner-up as frontman.
No stranger to the music of Queen, having sung a medley of the iconic band's hits with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor at the MTV Europe Awards in 2011, on this stage, Lambert truly shined -- much like the late Freddie Mercury did with rousing performances of his short but prolific career.
Clad in a spiked black leather jacket and exploding with the spirit of arena rock, Lambert kicked off a triumphant evening (the show was part of a joint concert with Elton John to benefit the Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS Foundation) with a command: “This is rock and roll, I want to see some ass!”
Confident and assuredly in control, Lambert led the crowd through an exhilarating version of the group’s “Fat Bottomed Girls," sharing an undeniable chemistry with May and leading the raucous Kiev crowd through a majestic two-hour extravaganza that included an action packed set list of Queen hits and deep cuts.
Lambert hit his stride early in the show, trading vocals with Taylor on “Under Pressure.” He then effortlessly segued from big rock anthems such as “I Want It All” to poignant renderings of introspectively aching pieces, such as his soaring interpretation of “Who Wants to Live Forever?” Lambert’s voice and impassioned delivery brought just the right tone of longing and introspection to the lyrics, and his connection to the song and his audience grew even stronger with each verse.
To his credit, Lambert chose not to recreate or even mimic Mercury. His performance was purely his own, with a reverent nod to the man that created such timeless tunes. Even better, Lambert hit all the Mercury glory notes -- “Somebody To Love,” in particular, sounded sublime -- while retaining the necessary showmanship needed to properly perform what can easily be classified as a night-at-the-rock opera. His “Bohemian Rhapsody” was a stunning display of just what a musical theatre background can do when given the opportunity to interpret a song fully. Leaning on his Wicked days and even channelling Elvis Presley with the requisite sneers on "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," by the time the band wrapped with “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions,” the crowd was brandishing their glow sticks in unity and solidarity.
2012-06-30 Kiev, Ukraine
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 6:01 pm
by Tiki
Love2Lurk' date='Jul 3rd 2012, 8:19 AM
KMS @kms15423
RT @pussinglitter A+ review of @adamlambert frnting Queen in Kiev!"Within a few songs the crowd was chanting his name!" http://twitpic.com/a3ecg0
madamimadam' date='Jul 3rd 2012, 10:32 AM
agnellePF: Yay! Shared the concert link with a HUGE Queen fan, and she LOVED it! Said the pairing was genius! So happy!
SonyMusicGlobal We are loving watching @adamlambert w/ @QueenWillRock from their show in Russia! Check out "Somebody To Love": http://youtu.be/flxIZD-vppA?t=1h24m3s
SonyMusicAfrica "What an honor to be asked to sing with legends," @adamlambert on his performance with legendary Queen - http://tinyurl.com/cuvtnwy
OutsideEdgePR If you missed it, catch up on Adam Lambert's incredible first concert with Queen from over the weekend right here > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T1NYPkq-cU
OGGsu4U Crowd at Independence Sq. in Kiev, Ukraine, Jun 30, 2012 to watch Adam Lambert performing with Queen. http://twitpic.com/a37ha4 via @TwitPic
ZMyersOfficial Wow. Wasn't expecting it but the Queen show from Kiev with Adam Lambert singing is AMAZING!! Rhapsody w Freddie on screen... Gives chills
pussinglitter Amazing review of @adamlambert fronting Queen in Kiev! "Within a few songs the crowd was chanting his name!" http://twitpic.com/a3ecg0
TheSlashNews #Slash : QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT Perform At Kiev's ANTIAIDS Foundation Concert; Entire Show Available: QUEEN's Roge... http://bit.ly/P5PO6k
2012-06-30 Kiev, Ukraine
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 6:06 pm
by Tiki
sealuv' date='Jul 3rd 2012, 12:18 PM
susan @OGGsu4U
Amazing review of @adamlambert fronting Queen in Kiev! "Within a few songs the crowd was chanting his name twitpic.com/a3ecg0 via @TwitPic[/b]
SpikesSASBand The Kiev and Moscow shows were phenomenal & the Russians were fanatical in their support. @adamlambert is doing a fantastic job.
SpikesSASBand Hundreds of thousands packed the square and streets of Kiev to watch the show and it was an incredible site to behold http://pic.twitter.com/EU9RXvgi
SpikesSASBand Bohemian Rhapsody as performed by Queen + @adamlambert in Kiev, 30.06.12. You can catch me at 4:08. Enjoy!
Silvia' date='Jul 7th 2012, 1:41 PM
We Are The Champions
lifesabeach' date='Jul 7th 2012, 2:30 PM
I can picture Adam delivering those lyrics with his hand up gesturing properly like this:
madamimadam' date='Jul 8th 2012, 3:34 PM
brianmaycom: Brian's Soapbox July 2012: http://bit.ly/N6hEMT GREAT PHOTOS FROM KIEV
TotesFurrealz @adamlambert in Kiev you met one of my dear friends at the airport & had a short conversation with him. He has since passed away & i just wanted to say you really bought light to him and kept him fighting til the end. I thankyou so much for taking a few minutes out of your busy day to talk with him. much love xx
vistadiva' date='Jul 30th 2012, 5:39 PM
Here's the sendspace link for the MP3 WWTLF Kiev. I'll upload all the others in a few minutes and post the link.