12 June, 2012

Post Queen Extravaganza show

You guys, last night was AMAZING!


My ticket.

I got there at 6pm to ensure a secure spot in line. I was worried that I would be one of the few there, but there was a bit of a line on one side and a couple people on the other. I opted for the latter since it was closer. I had doubts as to whether I was even in the right place, but one of the people was wearing a Breakthru 2010 t-shirt. The three of us hung out talking about Queen and I brought up the Magic Years documentaries for some reason. The person in the Breakthru shirt asked me if I had seen part three, and then mentioned that she was in it. I looked at her for a second and then it dawned on me that she was!


Me and Wendy Wright in the music hall (thank you Audrey for telling me her name!!)

About twenty minutes before the doors opened, someone approached my group and asked if they could get in ahead of us. The person not in the Breakthru shirt was in a power chair and I had my crutches, so we simply said that we weren't going to move. I wasn't paying attention until that someone explained that they didn't want us in their way during the show and I shot them a dirty look. The person in the power chair told them pretty much to piss off, and I was glad that they held their own.

The rest of my time outside was watching other Queen fans wander into line. One person walked by with a sweatshirt that read, "Roger what did you do?" and I commented on it. Apparently I was the first person to notice it. We wound up meeting again in the music hall and they let me take a picture for this blog. Unfortunately, it's pretty blurry, but you get the point.


Her name is Katie, and she's pretty cool!

Finally we made our way into the music hall, and I planted myself firmly at the very front row fairly close to the middle of the stage. There was a giant curtain with the Queen crest covering everything, so I got a few pictures because hell yes! Eventually the show started and it was too fucking awesome for words! It was weird when security started telling people to put their cameras away. I called the House of Blues earlier that day asking if my camera would be okay, and they had said that it would be as long as my flash wasn't on. I personally didn't get yelled at (miraculously), but every time someone near me did, I turned around to see phones and cameras being held up, clearly recording video and such. I kept my camera put away here and there, but then I decided to go ahead and take pictures anyway since I wasn't going to sell them or anything, and I'll be damned if my only memento is supposed to be my ticket!


Brian Gresh (left handed guitarist), Francois-Olivier Doyon (bass), Tristan Avakian (guitarist), Tyler Warren (drums). This is how close I was to the stage! Holy crap!

I appreciated that the vocalists all got their own stage time, and it wasn't the Marc Martel show. Actually, Yvan Pedneault stole it for me as a vocalist. Marc, Jeff Scott Soto, and Jennifer Espinoza did outstanding, but Yvan stood out the most in my opinion.

I tried really hard to get a decent picture of Brandon Ethridge since he didn't get to move around the stage, but my attempts were crap. Sorry, Brandon!


Jennifer Espinoza and Marc Martel.

Queen Extravaganza are: Jennifer Espinoza, Yvan Pedneault, Marc Martel, Jeff Scott Soto, Brian Gresh, Tristan Avakian, Tyler Warren, Francois-Olivier Doyon, Brandon Ethridge, and Spike Edney. Produced by Roger Taylor

Here are the rest of the pictures from that night!

11 June, 2012

Pre Queen Extravaganza show

Tonight I'm going to see Queen Extravaganza at the House of Blues in Boston. I'm so excited but also terrified for two reasons: this and this.

In the first video, it's highlighted bits from the band's rehearsal in the studio and Jennifer Espinoza is shoved to backing vocals. I like Marc Martel, but I really hope Jennifer gets as much time in the spotlight as him since she's a (damn good) vocalist as well.


I'm rooting for you, Jennifer! Even if I am so RIDICULOUSLY jealous of you in that picture!

The second video is QE's performance on American Idol. Please, if someone knows for sure, confirm that that video shouldn't have me the least bit worried!! I don't know if Brian and Roger emerging on stage was for that particular audience, but if that's going to happen now and again for this tour, I'm really concerned. Roger started his search for the best tribute band because supposedly the rest aren't quite up to snuff. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some that I'm not too fond of, but then there are those who are fucking amazing (see my links). If Queen Extravaganza is carefully hand-selected to be the best, then why the hell are Queen getting on stage with them?

What I like about tribute bands - specifically the idea of them - is that the good ones are good on their own merit and their audiences already know the songs that they're playing. Yes, they're influenced by the bands that they're performing, but they gain popularity and sell tickets and booze (if they perform in a bar) because they're talented. My worry is the possibility that Brian and/or Roger could pop on stage at anytime. On one hand, that would be AWESOME, but on the other - you guys, this is supposed to be the tribute band that puts every other to shame, and the possibility of the original band showing up is a slap in the face. Other tribute bands, even the damn good ones, didn't have the luxury of Brian and Roger holding on to the backs of their bicycles, they had to peddle and hope they didn't fall over and scrape their knees. If Brian and Roger think that their band can't sell tickets on their own, that's a huge problem for me. I hope I'm wrong, and the American Idol thing was just specifically for the show - even if Brian and Roger performing right in front of me in person would be a massive dream come true! I honestly do have high hopes for tonight, I promise!

Anxiety aside, I'm really excited about tonight! The last time I was at a big-deal concert venue was ten years ago (my uncle had an extra ticket to see Korn. I don't actually like them, but it was something teenagers do and I wanted to seem normal)! And this time I'm going to enjoy the music, dammit! And be surrounded (hopefully) by other Queen fans, dammit! I'll report back after the concert and hopefully have decent pictures!