Roger Taylor at the O2 Academy, Liverpool

It has been so long since I felt the thrum in my veins that comes with being at a concert. There have been times in the last eighteen months when I had feared that I would never feel that excitement, that energy again. I'm sure there has been times when you have thought the same thing.

But last night, October 8th, I saw Roger Taylor, who has played with rock band Queen since before it was Queen, and he was simply amazing - as were his backing band, consisting of Christian Mendoza (guitar), Tyler Warren (drums), Neil Fairclough (bass), Spike Edney (keyboards), and Tina Keys who could play, in Roger's own words "literally everything." I would especially like to give a mention to Tyler Warren, who gave Roger Taylor a run for his money when playing the drums, demonstrating this in the drum battle, which took place about halfway through the set. He also has an incredible voice, and sang lead vocals on Rock It (Prime Jive), which was released on Queen's 1980 album, 'The Game', which Roger sang lead vocals on for the recording.

Whilst I was abused verbally by no less than four times by staff at the venue and also other members of the crowd - and at one point had a sign that I had made snatched from me by another audience member, the experience was not ruined for me - how could it be? I was back doing what I loved, which is seeing live music and collecting notes about it to write up a review for this blog.

As well as playing songs from his solo albums, including his newest, 'Outsider', Roger also played some covers of Queen songs, which the crowd went absolutely (radio) gaga for!  These covers included: These Are The Days Of Our Lives (1991), Under Pressure (1981), I'm In Love With My Car (1975), and Radio Ga Ga (1984).

All-in-all, it was an amazing concert which I think was the best way to return to live music for me. The atmosphere was electric, and Roger really knew how to work a crowd - which  I suppose nearly fifty years on the road will teach you! I have tickets to see Queen + Adam Lambert next year, and now I have seen Roger Taylor, I can't wait - I can only imagine how awesome that band will be.