Fresh from the recently concluded award-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody, the Queen fever doesn’t look like it will die down anytime soon. Freddie Mercury and his bandmates left a legacy in this world that no one, not even this generation, will forget.
When Bohemian Rhapsody was showing in the cinemas, I knew I had to watch it. To be honest, though, I am not a fan of Queen. I just know their music because my mom and dad exposed me to a lot of classic songs. I have a few favorites from their albums, but I wouldn’t consider myself a huge fan just to join the bandwagon.
Things changed when I watched Freddie Mercury’s biopic, though. They made a mark that will last a lifetime and stand the test of time. It is no wonder why people keep their legacy alive.
That’s exactly what Queen Nation is doing. The first time I saw them on posters, I thought that they were just impersonators that perform for entertainment. I even thought that they would be more like a parody of the legendary band than anything else. Boy, was I wrong.
Queen Nation performed Queen’s hit songs in Cove Manila as if they were their own, proving that they can give justice to the band’s legacy. With Gregory Finsley as Freddie Mercury, Mike McManus as Brian May, Pete Burke as Roger Taylor and Parker Combs as John Deacon; it was like watching the real band perform live. Here are some of the highlights from the Queen Nation Tribute that would make Freddie and the rest of the original band proud:
Gregory Finsley Owning Freddie Mercury’s Style
Freddie Mercury is legendary. Based on his videos on YouTube, someone who hasn’t watched him live might say that he is really flamboyant and extravagant when it comes to his movements and performance. What amazed me was how Gregory Finsley got to study Freddie’s style and got it on point. He even played the piano just like Freddie used to.
Hearing the Hits of Queen Live
Although I am pretty sure that Freddie Mercury and the rest of Queen’s live performance are incomparable, I must give credit to Queen Nation for making us somehow feel like we were at a live Queen concert. They played their songs live on their respective instruments and not a single mistake was committed by the band. I specifically loved their rendition of ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ and ‘We Will Rock You’ as they brought the house down. It was almost perfect, to be honest.
Mike McManus and Parker Combs’ Stage Chemistry
Playing the roles of Brian May and John Deacon, the guitarists blended well on stage. They had their own spotlight as they played the lead and bass guitars. They really stole the show with their antics and their skills were the bomb.
Seeing the Audience’s Emotions
Queen Nation’s tribute show was so good that I saw some people getting emotional while singing along with them. I know that Queen made a huge impact on people’s lives and seeing people get emotional just by watching this tribute was heartwarming. You could feel the sincerity in their love for the band.
Their Perfect Rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody
I always wondered what it would feel like to hear this 6-minute song live. Well, the goosebumps really crept in as I heard the first few notes of the song being played right in front of me. It was mesmerizing to hear it being played almost close to the original Queen. No wonder it was such a hit when it was first heard on the radio!
To Queen Nation, if you guys are reading this: I just want to say thank you for honoring the legacy of Queen. They are one of the greatest bands that ever lived and I’m happy that they are still being recognized not just by the past generations, but by the future generations, too.
Thank you to DMC Philippines for bringing this wonderful group to our country.
