The word “legend” gets thrown about pretty liberally these days.
When you come to see a man with more than 50 years in the business and responsible for some of the biggest rock hits of all time, there’s not really another word that will fit the bill.
The queue snaked in both directions from the doors of Manchester’s historic Opera House theatre for some time before they opened. Once they swung open, there was a real buzz as fans young and older were keen to get into find their seats to see one of rock’s greatest drummers.
Touring his new album – Violence Insane In A Beautiful World – Roger Taylor shows that he’s still a vivid and vital voice in the rock world. It would be easy, I’m sure, to turn up and power through Queen’s biggest hits, but instead, they’re peppered sporadically throughout a set that spans Taylor’s long-standing solo career.
Emerging through the smoke in a green velvet jacket, the crowd erupts over the strains of Sigur Ros’ Hoppípolla, as Taylor gestured with an upturned thumb to acknowledge the adulation from all corners of this venerable venue. He wastes no time getting into one of his best early solo offerings – Strange Frontier. From the stalls to the gallery, the crowd sing the chorus back at full volume and it is on. Yes, the venue is full of seats, but they were seriously underused during the whole gig. Arms aloft or around friends, the crowd sang with Taylor from start to finish.
Taylor has assembled a stellar band over the years,and the same personnel are with him as were on the road 5 years ago. Tina Keys on, well…keys and vocals steps into the limelight for the first time tonight sharing lead vocals on the brilliant Surrender, taken from the Electric Fire record.
“Some of you might remember this one” Taylor suggests, as we hear the roar of the ‘engines’ and I’m In Love With My Car kicks into gear. Certainly, much of the crowd are of a certain vintage to perhaps remember this one from 1975, but there are those much younger who also know every word. It’s said a lot, but this is truly music that spans generations.
7 of the 10 tracks from the new album get an airing, including Violence Insane, which sees Taylor transform his voice to a menacing roar as the stage is drenched in red. I See You Now is a simple, but beautiful love song, dedicated on the night to Taylor’s wife Sarina.
He also shows that he can still write with real venom. “These next two short songs” Taylor explains, “are about two of the most rotten people in the world”. Dear Mr Murdoch and another new song – Chump – are eviscerating portraits of two men who continue to have a significant impact on the world. “F***!! ‘em”, he shouts, to what could possibly be the loudest cheer of the night.
There’s space for the band to shine. Tina Keys again shows her quality, accompanying Taylor on the tender cover of John Lennon’s Jealous Guy, while Tyler Warren gets his moment while Taylor takes a break. His rendition of Rock It (Prime Jive) is a staple of these sets now, and even though the song is some 46 years old, it still packs a serious punch.
It’s one of the deeper cuts from Queen’s catalogue that makes an appearance, but there is plenty of time for some of the classic Taylor-led compositions from the band’s array of hits. A Kind of Magic, accompanied by some Conjuring 101 from Neil Fairclough, lands with the rich harmonies that make that song soar. These Are The Days of Our Lives is delivered to a transfixed crowd, all keenly aware of the significance of that song in Queen’s canon, whereas Radio GaGa closes the show in a blaze of rock n roll glory. The iconic chorus is performed from the floor to the rafters of the theatre, and shows just how timeless these songs are.
As the crowd trickles out into the chilly Manchester air, there are smiles, laughter, chatter – the excitement of the queue has transformed into the adrenaline rush of a rock show. Taylor hasn’t just “still got it”. He entirely embodies what it is to be a rock star.
Set list:
Strange Frontier
A Nation of Haircuts
Gangsters Are Running This World
Surrender
I See You Now
I’m In Love With My Car
Absolutely Anything
Violence Insane
Don’t Photograph Food
These Are The Days Of Our Lives
Rock It (Prime Jive)
Jealous Guy
Dear Mr Murdoch
Chump
Under Pressure
Man On Fire
Rock and Roll
A Kind Of Magic
———–
A Beautiful World
Come on Summer (It’s Party Time)
Radio GaGa
