Platinum Jubilee concert: Queen + Adam Lambert to open 20 years after Brian May played on palace roof
Queen + Adam Lambert will open the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert 20 years after Brian May performed “God Save the Queen” on Buckingham Palace’s roof to mark the Golden Jubilee.
The Queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne in June, with a whole line-up of events taking place across the country to celebrate her reign.By the end of the month, Queen and Adam Lambert will finally be back on tour after a two year delay. Since Brian May, Roger Taylor and the singer will be in London anyway for their 10 day residency at The O2, we always had a sneaking suspicion they could be tempted to perform at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee concert. Express.co.uk asked Brian himself last month, who played it coy but admitted that talks had been occurring.
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Speaking exclusively with Express.co.uk, Brian said at the time with a cheeky giggle: “I don’t think I’m allowed to say…I suppose I can say that it has been discussed. So you may see us there…Of course, it would have to be something quite big following the appearance on the Buckingham Palace roof many years ago. I think people would expect something quite special, wouldn’t they? Hmmm…so that’s probably all we can say at the moment.”
Now the news is confirmed, with Queen and Adam Lambert set to open the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace concert.
Adam Lambert, 40, and Queen kicked off the Platinum Party at the Palace event on June 4 with an energetic show! The band, with Lambert stepping in for the late lead singer Freddie Mercury, started the show with a rousing rendition of “We Will Rock You.” The brief, yet electrifying, performance included a montage of other Queen classics like “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “We Are the Champions.”
The Platinum Jubilee marks the famous rock band’s second time performing for Queen Elizabeth II, 96. They previously performed at 2002’s Golden Jubilee, which lead guitarist Brian May recalled in a May 19 interview. “Of course, [the June 4 performance] would have to be something quite big following the appearance on the Buckingham Palace roof many years ago,” he mentioned to Express before teasing his upcoming show a bit more. “I think people would expect something quite special, wouldn’t they? Hmmm…so that’s probably all we can say at the moment.”
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John, Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, Diana Ross, and Sir Rod Stewart are other global superstars scheduled to perform across the three-stage event. Other talented performers include Jax Jones, Mabel, Stefflon Don, Elbow, Craig David, George Ezra, Duran Duran, Mimi Webb, Sam Ryder, Nile Rodgers, Celeste, Hans Zimmer, Diversity, Hans Zimmer, Sigala & Ella, and Mica Paris. In addition, the casts of The Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, Six, The Lion King, Joseph, and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will perform some iconic hits from their shows.
Adam Lambert
The band Queen featuring Adam Lambert Kicked off the Platinum Jubilee concert. (Jeff J Mitchell/WPA Pool/Shutterstock)
The special concert wraps up the third day of official celebrations honoring Queen Elizabeth in her 70th year on the English throne. The event is being broadcast live by the BBC and played for 22,000 in-person spectators, per CNN.
The fourth and final day of celebrations will occur on June 5 and include another world-famous singer: Ed Sheeran. While little is known about the father of two‘s highly anticipated performance at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, he previously said he was “looking forward to” the honor, per People. “I’m proud to be part of the celebration and it’s going to be a great opportunity to bring everyone together,” he concluded.