Queen with Adam Lambert To Headline Saturday Night At Sonsiphere Knebworth
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Written by Jon Stickler
With a quarter of a century having since passed, rock legends Queen are to return to play a second concert at the venue that provided them with the setting for one of their biggest and most historic concerts. Knebworth was also the setting for Queen’s final concert with Freddie Mercury in August 1986.
Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor have confirmed the band will headline the second day of this year’s Sonisphere Festival appearing at the festival home ground Knebworth Park, Stevenage, on Saturday 7th July. May and Taylor also confirmed that for this special one-off concert they will be joined by US singer-songwriter Adam Lambert (small pic).
Since first encountering each other during American Idol Season 8 in May 2009 where Lambert joined the band to perform 'We Are the Champions' the two have repeatedly hinted at a future collaboration, most recently with Taylor telling Billboard Magazine: "He (Adam) has grown into a really great performer with an astonishing voice with a range that's great. We would like to work with him again. There's nothing signed just yet but …it could be very exciting."
After their brief meeting on American Idol, the potent chemistry between Queen and Lambert finally broke the surface when at the invitation of Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor Lambert joined them for the closing showcase at the recent MTV Europe Awards where Queen were present to collect their Global Icon award.
Their eight minute MTVE set ignited an immediate reaction across the internet with social network sites buzzing with excitement and campaigning for a more formal union between Queen and Lambert. The Sonisphere 2012 Knebworth stage will at last provide the opportunity to see May, Taylor and Lambert delve deeper into exploring their very evident artistic appreciation of one another.
Says Brian May: “Judging by my incoming mail, this decision will make a lot of people very happy. It's a worthy challenge for us, and I'm sure Adam would meet with Freddie's approval! And what better place to revisit, and walk those emotional paths than Knebworth? It will be a rush.”
Lambert adds: “I'm completely in awe of the Queen phenomenon. The thought of sharing the stage for a full set is so beautifully surreal. I'm honoured to be able to pay my respects to Freddie's memory. He's a personal hero of mine and I am deeply grateful for the chance to sing such powerful music for fans of this legendary band. I know the evening will be a huge milestone for me, and with the support of Brian, Roger and the rest of the band I know magic will be on display.”
On what will undoubtedly be one of this summer’s most highly anticipated concerts Queen’s Roger Taylor says: "I remember Knebworth as being the most incredible gig, with the most amazing audience and the sound on stage was utterly perfect. It was a fitting last stand before a live audience for Freddie. It will be a real challenge to complete the circle by returning with Adam."
US glam-rockers KISS and Faith No More join Queen in headlining Sonisphere Knebworth which takes place from 6th July to 8th July at Knebworth House. The Sonsiphere line-up so far is as follows:
Headline sets from:
KISS (European Exclusive) - QUEEN (World Exclusive) - FAITH NO MORE (UK Exclusive)- TIM MINCHIN
ANDREW W.K.*
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**
*denotes exclusive festival appearance
**denotes only UK show of 2012
Sonisphere Knebworth Tickets on sale to the public from 9:00am Thursday 23rd February, priced at £145.00 for a weekend ticket (£180.00 with 4-day camping, £170.00 with 3-day camping), with limited number of day tickets available for £75.00. Rock Royalty and Day VIP packages are available from www.sonispherefestivals.com.
To spread the cost of the festival customers can pay a non-refundable deposit of £50.00 to secure their weekend tickets and then pay the balance off anytime before 30th April 2012.
Sonisphere Knebworth organisers are offering the first weekend ticket buyers a very limited number of tickets to Sonisphere Madrid, which takes place 25th and 26th May. Headliners Metallica - who play their Black album in its entirety - are joined by an impressive cast featuring the likes of Soundgarden, and Slayer and many more.
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Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor have confirmed the band will headline the second day of this year’s Sonisphere Festival appearing at the festival home ground Knebworth Park, Stevenage, on Saturday 7th July. May and Taylor also confirmed that for this special one-off concert they will be joined by US singer-songwriter Adam Lambert (small pic).
