When it comes to iconic bands, there are few more iconic than Queen. The British rock band that shot to international fame on the back of their fourth studio album A Night At The Opera, shot down critics, pushed boundaries and crossed genres to enamour millions around the world. Their music has inspired and is an inspiration, and this June you’ll be able to hear it reimagined by a string quartet thanks to Candlelight in Wellington.
“The Show Must Go On” with hundreds of glowing candles. Tickets from $30.
Queen’s legacy is matched only by a few other bands. “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which you’ll get to hear on two violins, viola and cello, was voted the UK’s favourite hit of all time, is in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2018 became the most-streamed song of the century. Few other bands have been credited as an influence so many times by so many varying musicians across so many different genres.
For those that weren’t around in 1985, it’s been said that Queen’s Live Aid performance is the best live act in history. Although Candlelight won’t quite be able to capture the band’s stadium-rock energy, the brilliance of their music—the melodies, harmonies and rhythm—will be on full display by virtue of the string quartet.
The setlist for Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen includes favourite songs like “Another One Bites the Dust”, “Killer Queen”, “You’re My Best Friend”, “Somebody to Love”, “We Will Rock You – We Are the Champions”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “Fat Bottomed Girls”, “Don’t Stop Me Now”, “Bicycle Race”, “Under Pressure” and “Want to Break Free”.
Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen takes place on Thursday 2 June at the Lower Hutt Town Hall with two performances in the evening at 6:30pm and 8:30pm. Vivid Strings Quartet, composed by Christine Wang, Emma Colligan, Andrew Thomson and Jane Dalley, will showcase the range, dynamism and timbre of their instruments for a glowing performance.