Brian May and Roger Taylor describe the special relationship they share with the fans, and reveal how the audience interaction during the live show was not only vital to creating the atmosphere on the night, but helped shape how the tour evolved.
“I think we have a very personal relationship with the audience,” says May. “We don't get lost in being gods with the costumes and lights. We're still human and we like the interaction. I think that's something which is a little different.”
“And this is a wonderful feeling and we should involve the audience,” adds Taylor. “And, you know, the one thing we weren't was a shoe gazing… I mean, I remember some bands, the guitar player might even face the back. It’s just f**king rude, you know?”
It was Queen’s love of audience participation that sparked call-and-response classics like “We Will Rock You”, and as May explains, the fans’ reaction is still the best yardstick for tightening the setlist.
“If you put a new song in there and you get a great reaction,” the guitarist explains, “you get reinforced and you think, ‘Yeah, we'll do that again next night’. So the audience are fashioning what we play, and I think they know that. Of course, you go for the things which produce a reaction, whether it's happy or sad – but some kind of reaction.”
Queen and Adam Lambert will resume the Rhapsody tour with a North American leg that begins October 4 in Baltimore, MD.
Pick up your copy of Queen’s “Greatest Hits” here.
See also:
Queen revisit an unforgettable moment on The Greatest Live
Queen rock classic show tune Big Spender on The Greatest Live
Queen and Adam Lambert add Japanese dates to Rhapsody tour
Queen tribute Little Richard on The Greatest Live
Search Queen at hennemusic
