THERE was hardly an empty seat as Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic stage show came to Swan Hill and Mildura last weekend.
Swan Hill was the third stop in a 26 performance season for the South African-based band that will take in both regional centers and capital cities.
Coming off a Canadian tour, the ensemble had only 10 days off before heading to Australia.
Dom Warren, who takes on the persona of Freddie Mercury, said the band had been pleasantly surprised by the response.
“We try to do as much as we can in both regional areas and cities to get a good balance,” Warren said.
“The crowds in Canada were very good and we were a bit nervous about how Australia would take us, but so far, so good,” he said.
“I think it is just the magic of Queen that gets people in the same headspace.
“I really love doing this and it’s the challenge of the music that I really enjoy.
“Every night it’s a different audience and you have to win them over because what you have to remember is that everyone has got this high standard of Queen at all times.
“Everyone comes in with a sceptical mindset when they are coming to watch a Queen tribute, so it’s my job to win the audience over and do the music justice.
“There is only one Freddie Mercury, it’s not my job to be Freddie Mercury but it is for us all to enjoy and pay tribute to such a great artist and such a great band.”
Warren said the stage show tries to relate to Queen as best they can to allow their personalities to shine through.
“When it comes to mannerisms and the performance of the songs and the energy that’s were there is a mesh,” he said.
“In the end, we are all our own musicians, and we try to mesh those two together in the most respectful way possible.”
The Swan Hill audience was won over with the group’s portrayal of the legendary rock band.
Numerous costume changes and an interactive show had the crowd standing, singing and dancing along.
Comments after the show were very positive, almost euphoric, at the performance they had just witnessed.
