Queen + Paul Rodgers (Miami Concert Review w/set list)

First, I must say Queen are still a force to be reckoned with -- let nobody say otherwise. After seeing this concert, I will fight anyone who says otherwise. Now that we have that away. They performed Friday 3 March 2006 at Miami, the opening date of their first US concert tour in over 20 years -- and this being my first Queen concert.

Let me being by saying I am a Freddie Mercury fan and Queen without Freddie simply isn't the Queen we all know an love. I went to this show with much trepidation because I am not a big fan of either Paul Rodgers or Bad Company -- to be quite accurate: I am wildly indifferent. Nonetheless, I went with my friend Evan (the world's biggest Queen fan ever), and figured I'd be in for an interesting night. I was not disappointed in that regard.

Queen still rocks. I must say, Paul does not try to be Freddie Mercury, and that's a good thing because that would have ruined absolutely everything. Queen does many of their hits plus a number of Paul's hits as well. I daresay, everyone will have a good time except those expecting to see a resurrection of the Ghost of Freddie.

Here's the set list as we heard it:
It's A Beautiful Day (intro)
Reaching Out
Tie Your Mother Down
Dragon Attack
Fat Bottom Girls
Take Love Where You Find It, (new song, first live performance ever)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Say It's Not True
'39
Love Of My Life
Hammer To Fall
Feel Like Makin' Love
I'm In Love With My Car
Last Horizon (as a Guitar solo)
Bad Company
Another One Bites The Dust
These Are The Days Of Our Lives
Radio Ga Ga
Can't Get Enough Of Your Love
The Show Must Go On
Bohemian Rhapsody
We Will Rock You
It's Alright Now
We Are The Champions
God Save The Queen (Instrumental)

Queen performed faithfully all these songs -- carefully picked to avoid needing Freddie. Those astute among you will note that Bohemian Rhapsody without Freddie would simply be unacceptable, would be entirely correct. So, Queen, in their infinite wisdom used an overlay audio track of Freddie to do most of this song, Paul coming only when the song goes into full Rock-Drive. It worked very, very, very well.

The audience interaction from the band's perspective was great, but I was disappointed in the Miami crowd (as was Evan). The concert was only 60% full at best and many of the people there were obviously not Queen fans. I think all real Queen fans know how to do Radio Ga-Ga, and I have to say I was embarrassed at those who were in the stands -- although those on floor mostly were with the programme.

My sole disappointment, of course, was the lack of Under Pressure, one of my very favourite Queen song. I like the stuff from Flash (sue me, okay) but wasn't crushed it wasn't performed. I also was mystified why they didn't open with The Show Must Go On because that would have been appropriate.

I have seen posts elsewhere saying that after the show was over that they played the music from the bonus hidden track from Made In Heaven when the lights came on (after they left the stage) but I am unable to verify this as we left as the closing notes to God Save The Queen wafted into the air.

The show was a solid two hours from start to end and well worth the obscene amount we paid for floor seats. it was opening night so there were some issues: an out of tune guitar, some lines to songs flubbed here and there, but nothing catastrophic.

Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly my friends
The show must go on. -- Freddie Mercury, Queen, 1991

So rest easy loyal fans. Paul Rodgers is up to the task of carrying Queen on into the next decade. And the best part was he was obviously having a blast as was Brian May. I can't say the rest of the band looked like they were having as much fun, but those two look like the proverbial cat and canary. Queen lives and so does their legacy!