Review of Queen and Adam Lambert at Glasgow Hydro

Thousands of Glasgow music fans have sworn their allegiance to Queen. 

That’s certainly the impression given by the loyal crowd at the Hydro on Thursday night who contributed to an electric atmosphere while the legendary rockers put on a show like no other packed with hits that stand the test of time. 

A giant crown set the scene for what was the start of one of the most theatrical shows the venue has ever seen from start to finish with Queen using every type of stage prop at their disposal from flashing lights to pyro guitars. 

Kicking off the proceedings, vocalist Adam Lambert belted out Now I’m Here before launching into Somebody to Love and Don’t Stop Me Now. Looking confident, he commanded the stage knowing that he was about to impress the crowd with rock royalty to back him up in form of guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor.

He then humbly addressed the Glasgow fans by declaring: “I’m a fan just like all of you guys.

"I’ve been so lucky to be performing with this incredible band for over 10 years now.”

Taking a moment to pay tribute to the Queen frontman who once graced the stage before him, the star remembered the late icon Freddie Mercury, and had one simple request for the crowd: “That you and I celebrate the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen together.”

And that was something the entire crowd did especially during May's solo performance of Love of My Life which saw a VT of Freddie appear on the screen. The moment was incredibly emotional as the Hydro lit up in his memory.

The show marked the first of two nights of the Rhapsody tour in Glasgow. It was also Queen’s first show in the city since the release of the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody in 2018 which has no doubt attracted a whole legion of new fans to the music. 

READ MORE: Review of Bryan Adams at Glasgow Hydro

Fans old and new got to experience the different sides of Queen. That includes the musicianship of May and Taylor who are masters of their respective instruments. They are the backbone of that Queen sound and to hear it in an arena setting is simply magnificent. They impress throughout especially on big numbers like We Will Rock You and I Want to Break Free. 

While Lambert to some extent offers the new, he has his own arrangement on the vocals. His voice is powerful. A true showman like Freddie and entertaining throughout.

Together they just work beautifully.

Under Pressure was a moment to remember with the band's vocals chiming off one another while Lambert was a standout star impressing on Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are the Champions which completed the set.

Whether you saw Queen the first time around or your introduction is in this new era, there is no denying that this is one band that knows how to perform on a live stage.