Tag: Queen

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kita Alexander Drops Pop Bop, “Queen”

Kita Alexander is embracing her inner pop diva with her fun new single “Queen.” This is the girl power anthem you need heading into your weekend! It’s a bit of a sonic left turn from Kita, but I think it suits her!

“’Queen’ was born out of a need to write an upbeat dance song. My dilemma with that was that I don’t think I can dance. I’m self-conscious about the length of my limbs and find it very hard to loosen up on the dance floor or in front of anyone for a matter of fact,” she admitted. “During the four months during Covid that my husband was away for the Olympics, I found myself alone in the kitchen more often than not. I discovered that I actually love to dance and really go for it when no one’s watching me. Even if one of my kids sneak out of bed and tries to watch me I get more conscious of the way my body is moving. I find this incredibly ironic because I perform for a living. This song is all about feeling like a superstar when you’re all alone.”

To celebrate the release of “Queen,” Kita will head out on her very first headlining tour next month. Expect to hear all your favourites from her three EPs and perhaps some more new songs from her forthcoming debut album. Meeanjin/Brisbane has already sold out and other dates won’t be too far behind, so make sure you grab these tickets while you can!

18 May 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
19 May 2023 – Mary’s Underground, Eora/Sydney
20 May 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Rob Tennent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Queen, Alice Cooper, and k.d. lang Lead Fire Fight Australia Line-Up

{TEG} Dainty and {TEG} Live promised us a big bushfire benefit show and they haven’t disappointed. This morning they dropped their star-studded line-up for Fire Fight Australia headed up by international acts Queen and Adam Lambert, Alice Cooper, and k.d. lang.

Of course, plenty of Aussies have also rushed to help including hot young things Amy Shark, Baker Boy, Conrad Sewell, and Illy, and absolute legends including Daryl Braithwaite, Icehouse, Olivia Newtown-John, and John Farnham. There are plenty more artists announced and others that will be added to the bill before the big event at ANZ Stadium on February 16.

Ticket sales benefit rural and regional fire services, Red Cross disaster relief, and the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal. You can get yours from Ticketek from noon today.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Queen & Adam Lambert @ AllPhones Arena, Sydney – 26 August 2014

The chatter about Queen and Adam Lambert’s Australian tour started before tickets even went on sale. People were concerned about the former American Idol contestant being unable to step into the legendary Freddie Mercury’s shoes. Some unkind folks even suggested that it was shameless attempt to cash in on his legacy. I remember reading an interview with Adam at the time, and his words stuck with me. He said “If there’s somebody out there that feels really strongly that this isn’t the same Queen then don’t come. But if you don’t come you’re going to miss one hell of a show.”

The folks who filled up AllPhones Arena were certainly ready for the show. There was a buzz in the air, an enthusiasm that doesn’t often come when a band is missing a force like Freddie. But the thing is, while Freddie wasn’t there, Adam Lambert was, and he is exceptional.

That’s something I’ve always known. While I enjoyed his electro-pop singles, he first caught my eye on American Idol, where he showed a real depth and intensity, and a mean set of pipes. They were on full display at this show. Freddie had one of the best voices in the biz, and while Adam’s isn’t quite as rich he certainly hit all the right notes. That is an achievement in itself. His charisma really struck me though. If he felt daunted stepping into Freddie’s shoes, he didn’t show it. He didn’t try to be Freddie, but instead seemed confident in his own ability to entertain a crowd. He was sexy, naughty, and captivating. I was entranced.

Fittingly, Freddie was still a force at this show. It always felt a little off to me when I saw INXS perform over the years and they didn’t mention Michael Hutchence. But Freddie’s spirit was a key part of this concert. A tear came to my eye when he joined Brian May, thanks to the magic of video, in an exquisite stripped back version of “Love of My Life.” He was back again for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which was always going to be a tough ask without the benefits of studio wizardry. Interlaying live vocals with archived video was so smart.

Not that the concert was perfect. I could have done without some of the more obscure numbers like “Dragon Attack” and “Tie Your Mother Down,” and when the guitars amped up the sound got a bit fuzzy. I wonder whether it might have been crisper if we weren’t in the nosebleed seats, but other rock greater like Roger Waters manage to get the sound right throughout this expansive venue.

Yet even with the flaws, a night with Queen is a whole lot of fun. I was hypnotised by Adam’s performance of “Who Wants to Live Forever.” I wondered how they might pull off one of my favourites, “Under Pressure,” without Freddie or Bowie, but Roger Taylor made an admirable stand-in. Joining the crowd in those iconic handclaps that anchor “Radio Gaga” was so much fun.

For what it’s worth, I never had any doubt that this show was going to be worthwhile. I’ve been an Adam Lambert fan from the get go, and Roger Taylor and Brian May are such stellar musicians. Anyone who boldly declares that Queen was simply a Freddie showcase is missing the point. His death leaves a gaping hole in the band, it’s true, but I feel so glad that the remaining members decided to regroup and continue to share their music with us. To have these songs die along with Freddie, to miss out on that live experience, would have been a great shame.

Image source: own photo