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Reviews > Queen + Paul Rodgers Concert Reviews > 11-07-2008 - Gazette Live - Newcastle

Gig Review: Paul Rodgers and Queen
by Philip Tallentire

FOR those who doubted their ability to rock, Queen are definitely still the champions.

The legendary British band, now fronted by Teesside’s very own Paul Rodgers, thrilled the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena for the best part of two-and-a-half hours.

Bearing in mind the average age of Rodgers, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor is almost 60, such dedication to the cause is laudable.

The set list was a sensible blend of crowd-pleasing Queen classics, a handful of tunes from the band’s new Cosmos Rocks album, and a couple of classics from the Rodgers canon.

Opening the set with Hammer To Fall, the band - the trio were backed by an additional guitarist, bassist and keyboard player - barely paused for breath as they ripped through Tie Your Mother Down, Fat Bottomed Girls, Another One Bites The Dust and I Want It All.

The tempo slowed when Rodgers strapped on an acoustic to sing a solo version of Seagull and then May took centre stage for a singalong Love Of My Life before the group joined him to run through a boisterous 39.

Less successful was Taylor’s tortuous drum solo and, later in the set, May’s own drawn out guitar exploration. Both should know better.

The pace picked back up for Radio Ga Ga and was maintained through to the memorable encore climax of Cosmos Rockin’, All Right Now, We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions.