For the first time since 1985, Queen + Adam Lambert performed the band’s famous Live Aid set to a crowd of 75,000 at Fire Fight Australia. Featuring stadium anthems “We Will Rock You,” “Radio Gaga” and “We Are the Champions,” Queen + Adam Lambert electrified audiences in ways only rock ‘n’ roll royalty can.
The concert held in Sydney on February 16 raised almost 10 million dollars for the Australian bushfire relief, boasting a line-up of 24 acts and over 10 hours of live music. Host and hero Celeste Barber (who managed to raise over $50 million in her own fundraising efforts!) kept the crowd entertained between phenomenal performances from our favourite Aussie boys 5 Seconds of Summer, Amy Shark, Alice Cooper and more.
However, there’s no denying that Queen + Adam Lambert cultivated a moment in history no one will forget. Moments before the band took to the stage, the entire stadium broke out into the *stomp, stomp clap* from “We Will Rock You,” and the screams became deafening once they opened their performance with “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Adam’s charisma (and insane vocals) combined with the passion, talent and mere presence of legends Brian May and Roger Taylor captivated audiences.
As a fan of Queen, and one who has viewed the 1985 Live Aid performance online countless times, it felt surreal to experience the set unfolding in front of my own eyes.
The legendary rock band first performed the 22-minute set at Wembley Stadium in London, raising money for the Ethiopian famine. It has been labelled one of the greatest performances of all time. Freddie Mercury was charming as always, mesmerising audiences and famously leading them in a test of their vocal abilities, getting crowds to sing “AY OH”. This moment was also recreated at Fire Fight, as the stadium screens filled with the vision of Freddie singing those exact words. It was magical. Brian May posted on Instagram after the concert telling fans, “I don’t think I’ve felt quite like that since Live Aid”.
Queen’s Live Aid set is about more than just the music. It represents love, unity and empathy. It has only been performed in its entirety twice; in moments when the world has come together to raise awareness and money for communities suffering. The set concludes with the band soaring into “We Are the Champions” and, at Fire Fight Australia, it was impossible to not think of the thousands of volunteer firefighters, the heroes, who saved our country during the devastating bushfires.
Fire Fight Australia will air on FOX this Saturday 29th February from 11pm EST/10pm CST. Hosted by Olivia Newton-John, you’ll be able to witness this iconic Queen performance and a set from 5 Seconds of Summer.
You can still donate to assist the Australian communities and wildlife recovering from the bushfires at https://firefightaustralia.com/
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