Queen Headline Set 'Won't Be A Freddie Mercury Show', Says Sonisphere Chief
Friday, 02 March 2012
Written by Elliott Batte
Stuart Galbraith, chief and overseer of Knebworth’s Sonisphere Festival, has told Queen fans hoping to attend the event in July that if ‘they are looking for a Freddie Mercury show, they aren't going to get it’ – but promised it would still be ‘one of the best performances’.
Queen will be performing a headline set at the festival, which takes place from July 6th-8th, alongside American Idol singer Adam Lambert, who covered the group’s tracks during his appearance on the show. He’s been heavily praised by Brian May and Roger Taylor – and seems to have impressed them enough for them to invite him to join them onstage at Sonisphere. But, according to Galbraith, their set won’t be too reminiscent of Freddie Mercury’s unique style – but will still be an epic performance nonetheless.
“If people are looking for a Freddie Mercury show, then they aren't going to get it,” he told NME. “But I think the Queen songs are huge, I think they fit perfectly with the Knebworth environment and perfectly with Sonisphere. I think it'll be one of the best performances we've seen from a headliner, it's the only show in the world they're doing. It's a huge coup for us.
“I rang them the day after the MTV EMAs [where Queen performed with Lambert]. I thought their performance with Adam that night was stunning and I literally rang them the following day. They weren't hesitant at all. It was one of those calls that was at the right time. It was surprisingly straightforward. Knebworth has a very dear place in their hearts; it was the last place that Freddie ever sang with the band. It's been 26 years since then and the idea of playing there again instantly struck a chord with them. They were into the idea right from the start.”
If you’re interesting in attending the festival, check the full line-up below and use the link provided to purchase tickets at the best possible price with Stereoboard.
Kiss
Queen
Faith No More
Tim Minchin
Andrew WK
The Blackout
Cypress Hill
Evanescence
Fields Of The Nephilim
Flogging Molly
Ghost
Gojira
I Killed The Prom Queen
Incubus
Katatonia
Lacuna Coil
Marilyn Manson
Mastodon
Refused
Switchfoot
The Darkness
Within Temptation
Wolfmother
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Queen will be performing a headline set at the festival, which takes place from July 6th-8th, alongside American Idol singer Adam Lambert, who covered the group’s tracks during his appearance on the show. He’s been heavily praised by Brian May and Roger Taylor – and seems to have impressed them enough for them to invite him to join them onstage at Sonisphere. But, according to Galbraith, their set won’t be too reminiscent of Freddie Mercury’s unique style – but will still be an epic performance nonetheless.
