There are concerts that are simply concerts, and then there are experiences that feel like a shared cultural heartbeat. Queen & Adam Lambert at Madison Square Garden in October 2023 was very much the latter. From the opening notes to the final encore, the evening unfolded as a celebration of rock history, spectacle, and musical virtuosity, reminding the audience that Queen’s music is timeless, and that Adam Lambert is a performer capable of carrying that legacy forward with both reverence and charisma.
Walking into Madison Square Garden that night, the energy was palpable. Fans of all ages packed the venue—some dressed in classic Freddie Mercury-inspired attire, others sporting the iconic Queen crest, and a surprising number of first-time attendees drawn by Adam Lambert’s dynamic presence. The arena hummed with anticipation, the chatter of thousands of fans buzzing like electricity, everyone seemingly aware that they were about to witness a show that blended nostalgia, virtuosity, and showmanship in equal measure.
Act 1: Opening Fire
The lights dimmed and the first strains of “Machines (Or ‘Back to Humans’) / Radio Ga Ga” began to play over the PA, the iconic video montage of Queen history flashing on the big screens. The “Machines” intro built tension, serving as the perfect bridge from past to present, before morphing seamlessly into “Hammer to Fall.” The band emerged on stage, and immediately, the energy shifted—the audience erupted into applause and cheers, the roar of MSG signaling the arrival of something monumental.
“Stone Cold Crazy” followed, a relentless, high-octane track that had the crowd moving instantly. Adam Lambert’s vocal agility shone through, perfectly complementing the precision of Brian May’s guitar and Roger Taylor’s explosive drumming. By the time “Another One Bites the Dust” hit, the entire arena was clapping in unison, the bassline pulsating through the floorboards. Even decades after the original recording, Queen’s groove still has the power to make a room vibrate with pure energy.
From the very beginning, it was clear this wasn’t just a nostalgic revival. Lambert isn’t trying to be Freddie; he’s a showman in his own right, channeling the spirit and theatricality of Mercury while bringing a fresh, electrifying presence to every note.
Act 2: The Classic Groove
The band shifted gears into a mix of rock anthems and crowd favorites. “I’m in Love With My Car” opened Act 2 with a cheeky nod to Taylor’s original vocals, Adam playing along with the car-inspired bravado while the crowd laughed and cheered. Then came “Bicycle Race”, though the instrumental section was skipped, segueing smoothly into “Fat Bottomed Girls”. Lambert’s vocal delivery was flawless, capturing both the humor and the swagger of the original while giving it a new intensity on stage.
“I Want It All” arrived with a vocal-guitar call-and-response section that perfectly demonstrated the chemistry between Lambert and May. Brian May’s guitar flourishes were exquisite, cutting through the arena with elegance and power. Every note, every bend of the strings, had fans leaning in, mouths agape, fully absorbed in the mastery on display.
Act 3: Anthemic Power
Act 3 shifted into some of Queen’s most beloved arena anthems. “A Kind of Magic” opened this section, immediately sparking a singalong that rippled across the crowd. Then came “Killer Queen”, shortened for pacing but still packed with venom and charm, followed by “Don’t Stop Me Now”. By now, Lambert had the audience fully in his grasp—every word, every gesture, perfectly timed.
“Somebody to Love” brought a more soulful moment, the layered harmonies of the backing band and live instrumentation delivering the gospel-like power of the track. The crowd swayed, arms raised, completely immersed in the intensity of the performance. Queen’s classic material proved just as potent live in 2023 as it ever was, and Lambert’s vocals brought a thrilling new edge.
Act 4: The B-Stage Intimacy
One of the standout aspects of this tour is the use of a B-stage, and Queen & Adam Lambert executed it flawlessly. “Love of My Life” saw Brian May on vocals, with Freddie Mercury’s image projected on the screen at the end—an emotionally charged moment that brought many in the arena to tears. “’39” followed, and it felt intimate despite the size of the venue, Lambert’s interplay with May and Taylor giving the song a delicate, warm presence.
The band then treated the audience to Timpani Solo, featuring archival footage of Roger Taylor in Montreal, 1981, blending past and present in a thrilling historical nod. Roger himself took the stage for a live Drum Solo, with Tyler Warren on timpani adding a dramatic flair. The combination of precision, showmanship, and sheer energy in this segment reminded everyone that Queen is as much about performance artistry as it is about rock music.
“Under Pressure” brought the crowd to its feet once again, Lambert and Taylor sharing co-lead vocals with effortless charisma. The first verse of “Tie Your Mother Down” was played straight, giving fans a chance to appreciate the song’s raw structure before the chaos of the original recording. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” followed, the perfect bridge back into fun, energetic rock.
Act 5: Epic Climax
Act 5 ramped things to a nearly operatic level. “I Want to Break Free” kicked things off, Lambert embodying Mercury’s theatrical flair, the audience cheering at every turn. A brief intro from “You Take My Breath Away” led directly into “Who Wants to Live Forever”, transitioning beautifully into Brian May’s soaring guitar solo, which even incorporated a segment of Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.”
The set continued with “Is This the World We Created…?” on the B-stage, a reflective moment that contrasted beautifully with the bombast of earlier tracks. Then came “Bohemian Rhapsody”, with the operatic section played from tape. The arena sang along, the collective voices swelling in perfect harmony, every nuance of the song acknowledged by thousands of fans at once.
The Encore
The encore started with a live recording of “Ay-Oh” from Wembley, instantly igniting the crowd. “We Will Rock You” followed, the arena stomping and clapping as one. Then came the “Radio Ga Ga” reprise, preceded by a playful Humans-Machines battle, showcasing Queen’s blend of spectacle and interactivity. Finally, the night ended on a triumphant note with “We Are the Champions”, a fitting conclusion for a show that celebrated Queen’s enduring legacy.
Performance Highlights
What makes Queen & Adam Lambert such a compelling act is the seamless melding of past and present. Adam Lambert doesn’t try to be Freddie Mercury, but he embodies the same energy, theatricality, and vocal acrobatics, commanding attention while giving space to Brian May and Roger Taylor to shine. May’s guitar work was, as always, otherworldly—fiery solos, harmonics, and textures that cut through the arena with precision and emotion. Roger Taylor’s drumming was a force unto itself, dynamic and explosive, often elevating songs into cinematic experiences.
The production was equally impressive. The staging, lighting, and video elements added drama without overwhelming the music. From the B-stage intimacy to the massive main stage anthems, the show moved effortlessly between spectacle and closeness, making fans feel like they were part of something grand but also deeply personal.
Audience Engagement
The audience played a starring role throughout. Every singalong, every stomp, every cheer was a reminder that Queen’s music is communal in nature. Lambert engaged with fans effortlessly, teasing, gesturing, and interacting in ways that kept the crowd on its toes. Whether it was the first verse of “Tie Your Mother Down” or the entirety of “Somebody to Love,” fans responded with unwavering enthusiasm. It was clear that every person in Madison Square Garden felt like they were participating in the creation of a historic night.
The Setlist
Act 1
-
Machines (Or ‘Back to Humans’) / Radio Ga Ga
-
Hammer to Fall
-
Stone Cold Crazy
-
Another One Bites the Dust
Act 2
-
I’m in Love With My Car
-
Bicycle Race
-
Fat Bottomed Girls
-
I Want It All
Act 3
-
A Kind of Magic
-
Killer Queen
-
Don’t Stop Me Now
-
Somebody to Love
Act 4 – B-Stage
-
Love of My Life
-
’39
-
Timpani Solo
-
Drum Solo
-
Under Pressure
-
Tie Your Mother Down
-
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Act 5
-
I Want to Break Free
-
You Take My Breath Away (intro only)
-
Who Wants to Live Forever
-
Guitar Solo
-
Is This the World We Created…?
-
Bohemian Rhapsody
Encore
-
Ay-Oh
-
We Will Rock You
-
Radio Ga Ga (reprise)
-
We Are the Champions
Final Thoughts
Queen & Adam Lambert at Madison Square Garden in October 2023 was not just a concert—it was an event. It was a celebration of music that has defined generations, delivered by artists who understand both the weight and the joy of that legacy. From the raw energy of “Stone Cold Crazy” to the haunting intimacy of “Love of My Life,” from Lambert’s electrifying stage presence to May’s transcendent guitar work, this show was a masterclass in how to honor a band’s history while still creating something alive and relevant in the present.
By the final chords of “We Are the Champions,” the crowd was on its feet, clapping, cheering, and singing as if they could carry the energy out into the streets of New York. Queen’s music, with Adam Lambert at the helm vocally, still has the power to move, to thrill, and to unite people across generations. That night at Madison Square Garden, history and present collided in the most spectacular way, proving once again why Queen remains one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and why Adam Lambert is the perfect partner to carry that flame forward.