As a huge crown lifts from the vast stage set and into the gods at the AO Arena, it couldn't be a more regal opening for rock royalty Queen to make their epic return to live performance in Manchester. With Adam Lambert delivering utterly faultless vocals flanked by the timeless rock titans of Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor, we are given a masterclass in rock performance over an epic two-and-a-half-hour set on Monday night.
While Adam may be the young blood in this set up, guitar icon Brian and drummer Roger roll back the years in a vigorously energetic display that rockers half their age would struggle to compete with. This is rock histrionics at the highest, most flamboyant level, and the sold out crowd in Manchester cannot get enough of it.
Not that Queen are giving out half measures here. They arrive on stage just after 8pm and from then on in it is anthem after massive rock anthem for the next two and a half hours.
