An exclusive headline slot from Queen has been announced for the 2016 Isle of Wight festival. The band will feature of the classic line up with the inclusion of Adam Lambert taking the place of Freddie Mercury. This will be the only UK based date on their world tour.
Queen are currently celebrating the 40th birthday of their world beating single, Bohemian Rhapsody, one of the stand out tracks from their extensive catalogue. They are set to close out the three day Isle of Wight event by bringing proceedings to a suitable crescendo on the Sunday evening.
Guitarist Brian May told reporters of his excitement about the booking. “I think Queen at The Isle of Wight Festival is a date that was long overdue. How incredible to take on this challenge at this point in our lives. With an injection of new blood in the shape of the incredible Adam Lambert, Queen will be ready to tear it up on this legendary stage in 2016. Freddie would have loved it. Can’t wait.”
And drummer Roger Taylor waxed lyrical about the provenance of the legendary festival “When I think of The Isle of Wight Festival I think of Hendrix, Dylan and The Who. What immortal company to be in! Queen are thrilled to be there and can promise a special night.”
Adam Lambert is the first openly gay singer to top the US Album Billboard Hot 200 in 2012. He is one of only a few artists to turn a stint on the American Idol reality show into a career that has lasted beyond the standard media honeymoon, and first joined forces with Queen in 2011. He has already worked with the band on one tour, so critics more than expect him to rise up to the considerable challenge of filling Freddie Mercury’s spandex catsuit.
The Isle of Wight Festival returns for its 15th edition to Seaclose Park, Newport from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 June, 2016.
Tickets are available here.
