where did the excitement go?

I've just watched Queen with Adam Lambert opening the actual Queen's 70th Jubilee celebration concert.  And I have to say I was left all a bit "meh".

Yes the music was excellent as was the musicianship, but watching the crowd of middle aged dads clapping along to We Will Rock You I realised that the magic and excitement has all gone.

My first ever concert (Queen back in 1979) was a truly (I was going to say exciting but that doesn't come close) borderline terrifying experience (yes, that's better!).  The band were heavily raw, and the sheer volume and lights left me in no doubt that their live philosophy was to deafen and blind the audience!

the thrills...

The crowd was animated.  We weren't far from the front and it was a sweaty mass of bodies jumping around and being moved about in waves such was the crush.

I f*cking loved every second of it!

And so a love of live music was born.  Getting around the country to see our heroes, drinking cider, eating chips and only worrying about how we were going to get home after we'd seen the show.

But this jubilee thing left me feeling cold.  Yes, I know we've all grown old but does that mean that the excitement, the thrill and the sheer unknown has to stop?  I guess so looking at the oh-so well behaved "crowd".

And watching footage from their recent concert(s) at the O2 in London left me feeling cold. Again, the music and lights were all there but with people still walking to their seats laden with their beer, crisps and popcorn 5 minutes into the show?  COME ON!  This is supposed to be a rock concert!  Try that on back in the day and you'd be faced with a swift fall down a flight of stairs!

...have all gone

Anyway, for many reasons I have no desire to see Queen live ever again.  Without Freddie and John the "band" means little to me anymore.  

And the band seems to have expanded to include a percussionist, keyboard player and other such musicians who were deemed surplus to requirements in the raw days of yore.

And the cost?  

My first ticket cost me £4.50.  Tickets to see Queen on their current UK tour range from £115 to £400!!  FOUR HUNDRED POUNDS!!  For that you do get a VIP experience with a "royal" box near the stage, food and drinks, but all the same.

All I'd want would be an underage cider, a bag of chips, an uncomfortable two hours being pushed around and scrabbling around in the dark afterwards for a ride home with someone.

I can't though.  I've grown up.  My music has grown up and got mainstream.  And it's really boring.

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I'll tell you what is exciting though…

My review of a little known lens from one of the major manufacturers.  Find out what it is and what I think of it by clicking below: