Watch: Queen + Adam Lambert re-enact Live Aid performance at Fire Fight Australia gig
"I don’t think I’ve felt quite like that since Live Aid," says Brian May
Last updated 12th Mar 2020
Queen + Adam Lambert recreated Queen’s entire fabled 1985 Live Aid set at their Fire Fight Australia concert performance on Sunday night (16th February).
The 22-minute set in front of a 75,000 capacity crowd at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium was part of a 10-hour fundraising extravaganza raising money for those affected by the devastating Australian bushfires.
Queen + Adam Lambert announced they were performing a Live Aid set shortly before taking to the stage. They wrote on social media: "For first time in its history, Queen, fronted by singer Adam Lambert, will perform the Band’s Iconic 1985 Live Aid Set tonight for #FireFightAustralia.”
“Queen will perform the original 22-minute Live Aid set widely regarded as one of the greatest live performances of all time!”
The setlist duly opened with a partial cover of Bohemian Rhapsody and continued with ‘Radio Ga Ga’, ‘Hammer to Fall’, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘We Are The Champions.’
Footage of Freddie Mercury at Live Aid 35 years ago was also projected onto the screen for the fabled ‘Ay-Oh’ segment of the set.
You can watch professionally filmed footage of the final two songs – ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘We Are The Champions’ – right here:
Afterwards, Adam Lambert said he was “honoured” to perform the set, while Brian May wrote on Instagram: “Fire Fight Australia tonight. AWESOME. I don’t think I’ve felt quite like that since Live Aid.”
Shock rock icon Alice Cooper also performed at the Fire Fight Australia concert. His short set consisted of ‘Department of Youth’, ‘I’m Eighteen’, ‘Poison’ and ‘School’s Out’, which incorporated a snippet of Pink Floyd’s ‘Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2).’
Brian May posted a photo of himself with Alice backstage, writing: “Catching up with an old friend backstage at ANZ Stadium Fire Fight Australia. Alice is way beyond cool!”
Last night’s concert raised an estimated A$10m (£5.15m) for communities devastated by Australian bushfires. At least 33 people have died, and thousands of homes have been destroyed in the recent fires.
Queen + Adam Lambert's Rhapsody Tour comes to the UK in June for 10 dates at London’s The O2 and two shows at Manchester Arena and Birimingham Arena. Head to Absolute Radio Tickets to check ticket availability.
See Queen + Adam Lambert at the following UK shows:
JUNE 2020
London The O2 – Tue 2nd
London The O2 – Wed 3rd
London The O2 – Fri 5th
London The O2 – Sat 6th
London The O2 – Mon 8th
London The O2 – Tue 9th
Manchester Arena – Thu 11th
Manchester Arena - Fri 12th
Arena Birmingham – Sun 14th
Arena Birmingham – Mon 15th
London The O2 – Wed 17th
London The O2 – Thu 18th
London The O2 – Sat 20th