Living legends at Notts Arena

I have met a lot of people in my life, I have met some of the best sportspeople in the world, cyclists and rugby player and I have even met Hollywood actors but on Friday night I was privileged enough to just share the same breathing space as three absolute living legends.

I went to watch Queen & Raul Rodgers at the Trent FM arena and it was absolutely amazing. Yes I hear you scoff, how can it be Queen without the presence of Freddie , I know because I was dubious about how it would work but it did, it really, really did.

Freddie was very much there in spirit and it was more of a celebration of the music than the ‘next generation’ of the band. A 15 minute guitar solo from Brian May and the same from Roger Taylor who beat out an impressive rendition of ‘another one bites the dust’ on an electric double base proved that these two chaps are indeed bordering on genius. Paul Rodgers was a sympathetic lead man, not trying to make the classics his own but very much doing justice to the fans young and old packed into the arena. I was concerned during the first few songs that his voice just wasn’t strong enough to be heard over the music, but a tweak from a sound guy and he was off, and in his element.

The highlights for me? Too many but I was particularly impressed with the Bohemian Rhapsody, a giant image of Freddie playing the first verse started the song which was continued by the band & audience alike. The other was ‘We Will Rock You’. I looked out to see 18,000 or so people clapping in unison –Brian May said to the audience, I wish I could swap places with every one of you so you could feel the electric atmosphere tonight. It was pretty good from where I was sitting!

Ruth