Joshua Emmanuel H. Pagulong
03/14/19
A Critique on Live Concert of Queen During Live Aid
Art has no definite meaning since it is a complex entity to define due to its various forms, types,
historical and cultural roots. Art is appreciated not only through the aesthetical appearance but also through
the context behind the artistic expression. It is through art that we can communicate to the world our inner
feelings and our creativity that only exists within our minds. Art has a wide range of forms from visual arts
to performing arts (Bhuyan, 2018). In line with performing arts, music is considered a unique form of art.
It is a lyrical and auditory representation of story. Through patterned constructions of words, rhythm, and
instrumental collaboration, music provides listeners with insight to personal experiences and even in-depth
interpretations of the world around us (Garino, 2016).
In this paper, I have explored the musical art form specifically with regards to artistic expressions
of rock band performers. I have chosen to critique the 20-minute live performance of rock band Queen
during the Live Aid Concert by watching the actual documented performance through YouTube. The Live
Aid concert held on July 13, 1985 was organized specifically to benefit Ethiopians that were affected by
famine. Live Aid was a groundbreaking global event that nothing like it had happened before on that scale.
International satellite links drew a worldwide audience to Live Aid and generated tens of millions
of dollars in donation. Live-streamed concerts became ubiquitous. An estimated 1.5 billion viewers tuned
in. Queen reveled in the magnitude of the occasion. Bigness — grand pronouncements, operatic dynamics,
Mercury’s soaring voice and Brian May’s titanic guitar buildups — was the cornerstone of Queen’s music
(Morris, 2018).
The Queen band is a British rock band formed in London in 1970. Their line-up composed of 4
members: Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano, and guitar), Brian May (lead guitar and vocals), Roger
Taylor (drums and vocals), and John Deacon (Bass guitar).
I was really fascinated with their performance during their concert because they were able to
connect with their audience while passionately performing their hit songs for the people. Their set squeezed
six of their best-known hit songs, Bohemian Rhapsody preceded Radio Ga Ga, Hammer to Fall, Crazy
Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions.
I evaluated their performance based from the aesthetic elements set by the study of Regev, (1994)
entitled “PRODUCING ARTISTIC VALUE: The Case of Rock Music” wherein he was able to classify
four genuine aesthetic elements with which rock artists create their art. Electric sound, studio work, voice
and lyrics, and stylistic eclecticism are four typical and salient components for an artistic rock band
performance.
For the electrical sound element, it can be observed from the performance of Queen that
they had their dynamics that could somehow trigger sublime emotion thrill that capture people’s
attention. It can also be observed that the volume was loud. There were several guitar riffs done
by Brian May and Bass, booming bass solos of John Deacon, heavy drums of Roger Taylor, and
most importantly the remarkable voice of Freddie Mercury which includes singing of uniquely
difficult minor, flat, and sharp notes that dominated to entertain the crowd throughout the
concert. It was a performance wherein people were able to understand and sing along with beats
of their songs.
For the studio work element, according to Regev (1994), during the early stages of
rock'n'roll, the musicians did not perceive the studio merely as a technical site for the
reproduction and recording of the "live" performance. They used it as a kind of laboratory for
inventing sound and as a workplace for the careful and refined construction of the sonic package
which is the song. In line with this, it is evident on their performance that they utilized the studio
well in order to generate unique musical vocal patterns and quality instrumentals for their songs.
It is also a commendable performance since they were able to pull of their live performance on tv
without errors and still was at its peak level of energy same as the recorded album.
Voice and lyrics are also one of the aesthetic elements that could be criticized through their
performance. I was fascinated by the vibrant and grainy voice of Freddy mercury which for me
added flavor and texture to their performance. According to Regev (1994), in the context of rock
music, the grain of the voice has become a prominent aesthetic component in the evaluation of
music. Singing patterns which use a unique grain of voice, often one which traditionally would
not be accepted as "singing" at all, might be accepted in rock music as a pivotal contribution to
the quality of the music. Throughout the performance, it was evident that Freddie Mercury was
very passionate when he sings. It is incredible to watch that he obviously puts his heart to it every
time he sings. The lyrics of their song also added more taste to their performance wherein they
artistically agreed to make their own song lyrics for which has social relevance and showed love
for their country.
Stylistic eclecticism is the fourth aesthetic element for this paper, according to Regev
(1994), Stylistic eclecticism is a virtue in rock music. The ability of musicians to cross genres and
musical languages, sometimes within the same piece of music, while preserving an authentic rock
drive has become an aesthetic value in rock music. This element is one of the advantages for the
Queen band. They have this unique and artistic way of expressing their insights through
communicating to the audience by singing their meaningful songs. The drum beats during the “we
will rock you” song, the interaction of the audiences wherein the audience get to sing a part of
their song and also the clapping of hands of the people along with the beating of the drum is
definitely a highlight that added more beauty and crisp to their performance.
They closed their set by singing “we are the champions” song, an anthem that touched the
hearts of their audience by having effectively performed their artistic expressions. Freddie
Mercury along with the other band members, they have passionately set the standards for live
rock band performances wherein they took their performance to a whole lot higher level.
Performing arts is much more than mere form of entertainment. It is an artistic expression that
is continually developing and evolving through time.
References:
Bhuyan, R. (2018). The Different Forms of Art That are Surprisingly Versatile. Retrieved from https://arthearty.com/differentforms-of-art
Garino, N. (2016). Music as Art: How music goes beyond what we experience at the surface. Retrieved from
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/music-as-art
Morris (2018). https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/09/arts/music/bohemian-rhapsody-queen-live-aid.html
Regev, M. (1994). PRODUCING ARTISTIC VALUE : The Case of Rock Music Motti Regev The Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
35(1), 85–102. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4121245