'Moonlightchiara' date='Jul 19th 2014, 12:55 PM'
Ok, I'm back and (hopefully) ready to give a somewhat coherent recap. (Uh oh, looking like a really long recap.)
So a bunch of minor annoyances had me in blah mood when I got on the train into the city, even tho I was obviously looking forward the the concert. I headed in with 2 cousins, and was meeting up with a friend in the city. We left Penn Station and walked around the Garden to get to our meeting place. It was really fun to see the big Queen & Adam Lambert signs. We walked around the back of the Garden and there were the trucks. Now, seeing all the trucks in the pictures people have posted was really cool, but it's a whole other thing to see them in person. There went my blah mood! I don't exactly know how to describe it, but seeing all those trucks was WOW!! I never expected to have that reaction. Several trucks were parked on the street, others were lined up in what seemed to be an underground garage driveway. We passed a group of 4 women having their picture taken with one of the trucks in the background. A few had on leopard print tops (as did I), so as I passed them, I said, "Hi, Glamberts!" I wondered if it any of them were people I would have known from here.
There were also a group of people waiting around some barricades set up in front of the driveway part, with a few guards there. We figured they were waiting to see if Adam showed up. My cousins teased me about staying there, saying they'd bring me back food, etc. if I really thought he'd show up, I might have stayed, but it was about 5:15 so I figured he might already be inside, plus we had to meet up with my friend. Hopefully I didn't miss my opportunity to see him, but I haven't seen any photos of him going in so I figure I didn't mess up!
We went across the street to the Stage Door Deli to eat. Perfect location, good food, great table. My friend's daughter and her husband, also going to the concert, joined us. I hit the ladies room before I left and heard, "Are you going to the concert? What time does it start?" and another woman said, "7:30." I laughed and said, "Well, it's supposed to start at 7:30, but you know our Adam. He's always late!" And we all laughed and wished each other a good time.
I insisted we go back to the Garden the way we came so I could see the trucks again. My friends and cousins insisted they take a picture of me in front of one of the trucks. (Can you tell I'm the only die hard Adam fan in the group?). I felt silly but what the heck....it was a once in a lifetime photo op! Lol
Nice surprise - no real line getting into the Garden. Heavy security, had to take (really small) handbag off shoulder, open up, guard checked inside with flashlight. Then had to go up to next guard and be scanned front and back with scanner. All guards super nice, though. Told us to have a great time.
We were up in the boondocks, section 211, off to side of the stage. Rode up 5/6? Floors on escalator, which was right next to windows, so we could look down on all,the Queen and Adam trucks. Still gave me a thrill!
When we got inside, my friend had a panic attack about the height, but we managed to get her in her seat and it was ok. Spoke to a couple behind us. The guy was a big queen fan, asked about opening act, was surprised and happy to hear there was none and no intermission, was very impressed with the length of the set list. Long wait to begin - 45 minutes! Crowd erupting in cheers, claps, etc every time they saw curtain move ("I saw feet!") or tested the smoke machines, etc. As someone else mentioned, there were quite a few empty seats, including a large floor section, which was weird because it was sold out. However, as soon as the lights went down, they filled in. Family and friends? Bigwigs?
Then the lights went down, the smoke gathered, the curtain came up to a roar from the fans and the show began. I have to say a lot of it was a blur. It was just so intense and I was focused on the moment. I remember bits and pieces. Not being a big Queen fan, I did not know the first 2 songs so even tho they were good, I didn't feel an instant connection. I remember I was concerned about the sound originally as it seemed like the instruments drowned out Adam a bit. (I was on the side) I didn't really notice that much after, though.
Things I do remember:
- I can't even remember which song it was in the beginning, but Adam sang this one note soooooooooo long, even falling down to his knees as he reached the end! Incredible!
- one of my favorite parts was during Killer Queen. First, as he took his long sip from the bottle, Brian gave him this affectionate sort of rolling his eyes look and walked away. Right after Adam "spouted" the champagne, he called out, "Hi, Mom!!" In the cutest voice, along with a little wave. It was kind of a combination " oops, mischievous boy caught doing something he wasn't supposed to, hi, Mom, aren't I cute? You didn't really see that or if you did, you won't get mad at me, please?" And "Hi, Mom! Can you believe I'm here on stage at MSG singing with Queen??!" So adorable!
- He started a call out during AOBTD and ended up running from one side staircase to the other, I mean, really running, pitting one side of the arena against the other in the loudness of their response. Then when we got good enough at that, he gave us a longer, more complicated call back. There was dead silence for a minute, then we all cracked up, including Adam, who said he would start again and build up to that.
- Loved loved loved WWTLF, Love Kills
- Brian and Roger showed tons of talent and energy. While I understand why some people said Brian's solo was too long, if you could just let go and relax into it, it was spectacular. LOML was so sweet, and the audience sang and many cried along with Brian. Much of the time, tho, he was ripping that guitar and power walking across the stage and up and down the side stairs. I can't believe this man had a cancer scare around the new year and has knee/ leg troubles. You'd never know it.
- Roger's duel with his son was fun. (Side note, when Rufus's pic showed up on screen, one of,the guys sitting
in front of me said,"Ooooh, nice." Lol). On TATTOOL, his voice might not have been the strongest, but I think it added to the poignancy of the song. And Under Pressure was fantastic!
- The mutual love and respect Brian, Roger, and Adam have for each other is just so evident in how,they work together, in their words, looks, and actions. They so obviously enjoy working with each other and it is just as obvious that they are having so much fun! There is just so much pure joy evident in this concert. I love how they fool around with each other, making funny faces, pounding on the piano, silly dance moves.....
- the power of Adam's voice is unbelievable. I can not imagine how he can go full throttle like that for over 2 hours (yes, I know he has some breaks, but still...) and then go on to do it again in a night or two and keep doing it. He is amazing.
There are still so many things I could say, but this is already way too long. I just want to end with both my friend's and my cousin's husbands told me that they heard from their wives how the concert was great and that I might have converted them. And that beautiful picture of Adam's mother holding her hands together in front of her and staring with a face full of love and pride? Well, I feel exactly like that!
Oops, one more thing! Another guy I know who is a huge Queen fan told me, "They were great, and your boy Adam was better than I expected." Ah, my boy Adam. :D
Ok, now I really better stop!