It may not be Wembley Stadium, or the O2 Arena, but tonight the hallowed halls of the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells have the same kind of electric atmosphere that would be found in any of the world’s biggest concert venues as Killer Queen are about to take to the stage.
The lights dim and, lead by a torch, “Roger” makes himself comfortable behind a huge array of drums and cymbals, “John” appears stage right followed by “Brian”, stage left. All we need now is the star of the show who, as one would expect, wastes no time in whipping the audience up into a frenzy (yes, even Royal Tunbridge Wells knows how to really let its hair down).
In no time at all, those who can are standing up, waving arms in the air and, when commanded by our “royal leader”, even bouncing along to a selection of the very finest of Queen’s massive back catalogue of million selling mega-hits.
The attention to detail, in costumes, stage setting, lighting design and even the use of props, like Freddie’s sweat drenched towels, all add to the authentic atmosphere, created by a band who have been at the very top of their game for more than 20 years and are the closest thing this country has to an official Queen tribute band.
With superb skill, and a mastery of the music that only comes from consumate performers and really true fans of the original band, they blast out firm favourites like Another One Bites The Dust, Killer Queen, Bicycle Race, Fat Bottomed Girls, Don’t Stop Me Now, Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Somebody To Love before ending the show with two encores that include Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions.
There is no doubt that Patrick Myers is a simply magnificent “Freddie” look-a-like and, as close as is possible to Freddie’s unique voice, is an impressively good sound-like as well. The band support him well and the audience show their appreciation as both “Roger” and “Brian” take centre stage for their solo spots.
On November 24th 1991 we lost a fantastic singer, a tremendous showman and one of the greatest performers this planet has ever seen – luckily Killer Queen are here to keep his amazing music alive.
***** Five Stars
