REVIEW
QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA
The hugely popular live band performance, returns to rock the UK with the ‘Queen Extravaganza Tour’
Tuesday 13 November SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA
The hugely popular live band performance, returns to rock the UK with the ‘Queen Extravaganza Tour’
Tuesday 13 November SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
Back in the UK by popular demand, and no doubt buoyed by the popularity of the recent Bohemian Rhapsody movie, ‘Queen Extravaganza’, the official tribute band created by Roger Taylor and Brian May, rocked up at Southend's Cliffs Pavilion last night to celebrate the UK’s biggest selling album of all time ‘Queen Greatest Hits’ which was released in 1981 and sold over 6.1 million copies in Britain alone.
This time around, however, the band known by fans as QuEx and who have been hand picked by Roger & Brian themselves, have a newly appointed lead singer in the form of Brazilian rock star, Alirio Netto who, according to their publicity, is one of the most recognised rock voices in Brazil. His powerful voice and amazing range impressed Roger and Brian when he starred as Galilleo in the Brazilian production of We Will Rock You in 2016 and as well as his stage career, Alirio has achieved success as a signed artist with albums released worldwide and performances on numerous shows and festivals including the world famous Rock In Rio, Brazil. Impressive stuff!
However, there has been a lot of debate amongst QuEx fans as to whether he is quite up to scratch in comparison with the group's former lead singer. Now let's be straight here, no-one is ever going to match Freddie Mercury's vocal style exactly but it has to be said that the group's previous lead singer, Marc Martel, was pretty close, not only in his similar appearance to Freddie but also for his impressive vocals. A lot of fans were not happy to see Marc's departure from the group.
This, of course, puts a lot of pressure on Alirio and I'll be honest first impressions for me weren't great: there's a slight Brazilian accent to be heard when he sings and despite having a hugely impressive voice and range, (you can totally understand how he won Brazil's Best Musical Actor award for his role of Judas Escariot in Jesus Christ Superstar) he quite simply doesn't sound a jot like Freddie.
However, having said that, Alirio Netto, attired all in black, with rock star skull t-shirt, ripped jeans and arms covered in tattoos, certainly doesn't lack in confidence and has an abundance of enthusiasm. He absolutely powers his way throughout the whole gig, bouncing around the stage like a toddler who's overdosed on 'e' numbers.
The music is LOUD, the lights are BRIGHT and the band sound frickin' awesome. Now, with these guys, you can totally see why Roger Taylor and Brian May have picked them. The group are all clearly accomplished musicians and do an amazing job in recreating the Queen sound.
One moment that really goes down a storm with the Southend crowd is when drummer, Tyler Warren, gets to show off his vocals on top of his impressive drumming skills during It's a Kinda Magic and again in These Are the Days of Our Lives. Guitarist, Nick Radcliffe, who hails from Brighton, gives Brian May a run for his money throughout with some pretty bad ass guitar playing not least during Killer Queen.
The fact is that any band who play to a seated audience are in for a challenge. These guys, however, manage to overcome this obstacle and don't take long to whip up the crowd. The gig begins with One Vision and keeps on going relentlessly song after song, from Killer Queen, Lover Boy, Bicycle Race, Save Me and doesn't let up until the last song before the interval, I Want It All.
By this time Alirio, has managed to endear himself enough to have the Southend crowd clapping and up on their feet; he even comes down into the stalls. This guy is working his butt off to make us like him and by the time we get to the end of the second of half of the show, with those fabulous crowd pleasing Queen hits like Another One Bites the Dust, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Seven Seas of Rhye, Under Pressure, The Show Must Go On- in which the band create some outstanding harmonies - and of course Radio Gaga, which has us all doing that "all we hear is - clap clap - Radio Gaga" clap, we really don't want the night to end. Thankfully, it doesn't quite and we are treated to Bohemian Rhapsody - how could they not.
In a rousing encore and more hand clapping we are treated to We Will Rock You and to finish, a thumping rendition of We Are the Champions leaving the crowd of all ages up on their feet to salute the band in their final bow.
The tour continues..
This time around, however, the band known by fans as QuEx and who have been hand picked by Roger & Brian themselves, have a newly appointed lead singer in the form of Brazilian rock star, Alirio Netto who, according to their publicity, is one of the most recognised rock voices in Brazil. His powerful voice and amazing range impressed Roger and Brian when he starred as Galilleo in the Brazilian production of We Will Rock You in 2016 and as well as his stage career, Alirio has achieved success as a signed artist with albums released worldwide and performances on numerous shows and festivals including the world famous Rock In Rio, Brazil. Impressive stuff!
However, there has been a lot of debate amongst QuEx fans as to whether he is quite up to scratch in comparison with the group's former lead singer. Now let's be straight here, no-one is ever going to match Freddie Mercury's vocal style exactly but it has to be said that the group's previous lead singer, Marc Martel, was pretty close, not only in his similar appearance to Freddie but also for his impressive vocals. A lot of fans were not happy to see Marc's departure from the group.
This, of course, puts a lot of pressure on Alirio and I'll be honest first impressions for me weren't great: there's a slight Brazilian accent to be heard when he sings and despite having a hugely impressive voice and range, (you can totally understand how he won Brazil's Best Musical Actor award for his role of Judas Escariot in Jesus Christ Superstar) he quite simply doesn't sound a jot like Freddie.
However, having said that, Alirio Netto, attired all in black, with rock star skull t-shirt, ripped jeans and arms covered in tattoos, certainly doesn't lack in confidence and has an abundance of enthusiasm. He absolutely powers his way throughout the whole gig, bouncing around the stage like a toddler who's overdosed on 'e' numbers.
The music is LOUD, the lights are BRIGHT and the band sound frickin' awesome. Now, with these guys, you can totally see why Roger Taylor and Brian May have picked them. The group are all clearly accomplished musicians and do an amazing job in recreating the Queen sound.
One moment that really goes down a storm with the Southend crowd is when drummer, Tyler Warren, gets to show off his vocals on top of his impressive drumming skills during It's a Kinda Magic and again in These Are the Days of Our Lives. Guitarist, Nick Radcliffe, who hails from Brighton, gives Brian May a run for his money throughout with some pretty bad ass guitar playing not least during Killer Queen.
The fact is that any band who play to a seated audience are in for a challenge. These guys, however, manage to overcome this obstacle and don't take long to whip up the crowd. The gig begins with One Vision and keeps on going relentlessly song after song, from Killer Queen, Lover Boy, Bicycle Race, Save Me and doesn't let up until the last song before the interval, I Want It All.
By this time Alirio, has managed to endear himself enough to have the Southend crowd clapping and up on their feet; he even comes down into the stalls. This guy is working his butt off to make us like him and by the time we get to the end of the second of half of the show, with those fabulous crowd pleasing Queen hits like Another One Bites the Dust, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Seven Seas of Rhye, Under Pressure, The Show Must Go On- in which the band create some outstanding harmonies - and of course Radio Gaga, which has us all doing that "all we hear is - clap clap - Radio Gaga" clap, we really don't want the night to end. Thankfully, it doesn't quite and we are treated to Bohemian Rhapsody - how could they not.
In a rousing encore and more hand clapping we are treated to We Will Rock You and to finish, a thumping rendition of We Are the Champions leaving the crowd of all ages up on their feet to salute the band in their final bow.
The tour continues..
The band members, who have all performed on previous Queen Extravaganza tours are:
Drummer: Tyler Warren (USA)
Tyler is the touring MD, keeping the band in time and well rehearsed, which he does alongside his ‘other’ job as percussionist on tour with Queen + Adam Lambert
Bassist: François-Olivier Doyon. (Canada)
Has been with Queen Extravaganza since the first online auditions in 2011 where he beat hundreds of other applicants to the coveted role of bassist for the band.
Guitarist: Nick Radcliffe. (UK)
Joined Queen Extravaganza in 2015 having performed in We Will Rock You’s London show as well as working with a wide range of artists & shows from Tony Hadley, The Motown Musical
Keyboards: Darren Reeves. (UK)
Has been keyboardist since 2015 having previously deputised for Queen keyboardist and QuEx’s Worldwide Musical Supervisor Spike Edney at the London We Will Rock You show.
Drummer: Tyler Warren (USA)
Tyler is the touring MD, keeping the band in time and well rehearsed, which he does alongside his ‘other’ job as percussionist on tour with Queen + Adam Lambert
Bassist: François-Olivier Doyon. (Canada)
Has been with Queen Extravaganza since the first online auditions in 2011 where he beat hundreds of other applicants to the coveted role of bassist for the band.
Guitarist: Nick Radcliffe. (UK)
Joined Queen Extravaganza in 2015 having performed in We Will Rock You’s London show as well as working with a wide range of artists & shows from Tony Hadley, The Motown Musical
Keyboards: Darren Reeves. (UK)
Has been keyboardist since 2015 having previously deputised for Queen keyboardist and QuEx’s Worldwide Musical Supervisor Spike Edney at the London We Will Rock You show.
Remaining Queen Extravaganza UK 2018 Dates:
Thursday 15 November PORTSMOUTH Guildhall
Friday 16 November GUILDFORD GLive
Saturday 17 November CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange
Monday 19 November BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall
Wednesday 21 November LEICESTER De Montford Hall
Thursday 22 November LONDON Eventim Apollo
‘Queen Extravaganza’ Tour Tickets are available via: www.seetickets.com
Thursday 15 November PORTSMOUTH Guildhall
Friday 16 November GUILDFORD GLive
Saturday 17 November CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange
Monday 19 November BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall
Wednesday 21 November LEICESTER De Montford Hall
Thursday 22 November LONDON Eventim Apollo
‘Queen Extravaganza’ Tour Tickets are available via: www.seetickets.com