When fans of a band put together a tribute, expect microscopic detail, but when they are also seasoned performers, expect fireworks.
Musical pyrotechnics are expected when a Queen tribute act combines with the Dublin Gospel Choir in Leisureland, Salthill, on Friday, December 13.
Qween formed in 2018, with the members having played together in numerous other guises over the years.
Since its debut, Qween has wowed audiences with a theatrical rock show that brings the audience right back in time to the front row of a classic Queen gig. Qween’s two-hour show features a veritable anthology of Queen’s greatest hits, from ‘Radio Ga Ga’ to ‘Somebody to Love’, performed fully live.
Since inception, Qween has grown in popularity quickly, selling out venues across Ireland.
In 2022, the band featured over two days at the Forever Young Festival, with performances that included guest appearances from Tony Hadley, formerly of Spandau Ballet, and Mark Shaw of Then Jerico. They returned in 2023.
“On paper, there’s nothing particularly ‘cool’ about a tribute band, and that’s the hardest thing for us to communicate to audiences: that this is the essence of what Queen is about, rather than some musicians playing dress-up. When people see us, they get it then,” said guitarist Thomas Brunkard.
In 2022, Qween took their show to a new level by drafting in The Dublin Gospel Choir.
“With Queen, there is the live band, which was just the four band members, and then there is the studio band, where lush arrangements and overdubbed guitars and vocals are the signature sound. We thought the next step would be to bridge the gap with a gospel choir, and it took things up another level.”
“There’s something about Queen that reaches out to all ages… Grannies to toddlers singing and clapping our Radio Ga Ga. That’s when you know you’ve done your job,” said Qween vocalist Brian Keville.
Qween has gone to extreme lengths to capture the magic of Queen, acquiring everything from a tailored lemon leather Freddie jacket (à la Queen’s legendary Slane Castle show in 1986 ) to guitar equipment from Brian May’s technician.
“Queen’s music is technically difficult, but we’re massive fans, so we were able to put in the dedication to get every detail just right. Maura in the front row mightn’t know that we’re using period-correct sixpences on the guitars, but if all these things were removed, she’d know it wasn’t right,” said Brunkard.
The band was featured in the national press in 2019 when singer Keville met Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, leading to an unlikely Queen cover at Vedder’s solo show in the Three Arena.
Keville is no stranger to playing Freddie Mercury, having portrayed the singer in the Live Aid drama When Harvey Met Bob alongside Domhnall Gleeson’s mouthy Bob Geldof.
“Freddie had a way about everything he did that is hard to capture. You need to totally forget who you are and create this larger-than-life persona with total commitment to your audience,” said Keville. “A real bushy moustache also helps!”
Tickets €36 from www.roisindubh.net Under-16s must be accompanied.
