Review + Photos: Queen and Adam Lambert Rock South Philly on Rhapsody Tour

The tour is the ultimate testament to the group’s longevity

Queen will always rock you, no matter what year it is.

With the run’s biggest production yet, rock music icons Queen are currently trekking across North America on what is reportedly the final run of their Rhapsody Tour. For the last decade, vocalist Adam Lambert has filled some of the biggest shoes in music history with a tremendous amount of showmanship, and grace. Now, along with bassist Neil Fairclough, percussionist Tyler Warren, and longtime keyboard player and musical director Spike Edney, it looks like Queen are wrapping up their Rhapsody Tour with one final run.

The group’s endurance, especially that of May and Taylor, is astounding. Throughout the course of the evening, the group played a staggering 27-song setlist. Early on, May’s dazzling guitar work was on full display as he roamed up and down the catwalk as Taylor thundered away on his kit. After kicking this off with “Radio Ga Ga,” they churned out hits “Hammer to Fall,” “Stone Cold Crazy,” and “Another One Bites the Dust” all right in a row. From there, it was a barrage of the very best Queen has ever recorded. It’s safe to say no one was left wanting more when the night was through.

Other highlights included “Bicycle Race,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Killer Queen,” “Under Pressure,” “Tie Your Mother Down,” and many more. Adam Lamberts vocal chops were on particularly prominent display during songs like “Somebody to Love,” “I Want to Break Free,” and others. While Queen have had success with other singers in the past, they’ve truly hit their stride with Lambert during their second act as a band.

It’s incredible to see original members Brian May and Roger Taylor mounting another tour without retired bassist John Deacon and frontman Freddie Mercury, who passed away in 1991. Led Zeppelin have played shows with Jason Bonham, the son of founding drummer John Bonham who died in 1980. Hell, Foreigner and Quiet Riot are still touring with no original members. I’m fairly certain that if Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr decided to hit the road again together and call it The Beatles, no one would bat an eye. Pantera are currently on the road with half of their original lineup. The act of a group touring without key members has left fans quite divided over the years, but ticket sales prove that the public are just happy to see the songs they love still get played under the lights of a stage.

For May and Taylor, Queen is theirs. The music and moniker are every bit who they are as much as John Deacon and Freddie Mercury. They should be out playing these songs, and it’s beautiful to see them carrying on the legacy of one of music’s most iconic acts.

Having extensively toured over the last few years, the Rhapsody show is forever evolving. But, the tour remains at heart a tribute to Freddie Mercury’s majestic legacy, a confirmation of Brian and Roger’s undimmed musical prowess, plus a magnificent showcase for Adam’s vocal skills and electrifying stage charisma, all of which adds up to a glorious full-blooded celebration of one of the greatest songbooks in rock music history.

Queen are one of the greatest acts in music history. To date, they have sold over 300 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Queen were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2003. Throughout their illustrious career, the band has released 18 No. 1 albums.