CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — A must-see event for both Queen fans and anyone who loves quality live music, Celebrating Queen will visit St. George next month. The show is powerful, the music is phenomenal and the concert experience is “guaranteed to blow your mind!”
The music of Queen continues to entertain a new generation of fans, and Celebrating Queen is ready to rock what they anticipate will be a packed house at the Cox Performing Arts Center on March 17. Tickets start at $20 and are available to purchase online.
Celebrating Queen has performed across the United States and also toured extensively in Europe, playing many high-profile festivals and concerts. Their set list features all the hits, including “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Somebody to Love,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions,” but it also showcases deeper cuts from Queen’s vast catalog.
The band’s secret weapon is lead singer JJ Midnight. At 6 feet, 2 inches, and 215 pounds, he’s not a shoo-in lookalike for Freddie Mercury – but Celebrating Queen isn’t the average Queen tribute, either. Frequently compared to other contemporaries such as Marc Martel and Adam Lambert, Midnight has studied Mercury’s vocal technique since grade school and possesses a powerful, dynamic voice spanning nearly five octaves.
The trademark guitar sound of Queen is reproduced by Chris “Flash” Gordon from Philadelphia. More than just a tribute player, Gordon has led a career as a successful musician in his own right.
“Chris is the finest guitar player I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with,” Midnight said. “He plays all different styles and conquers all different instruments. I’m proud to play with him.”
Celebrating Queen also features Santiago Luna on percussion and Greg Benton on bass plus backing vocals. They’ve played together for years in the Las Vegas-based band Cherreys and Midnight said they know each other’s every move, which is important for keeping the rhythm section tight.
Shane McDonald, a native of Ireland, serves as keyboardist and music director. Known as one of the world’s foremost experts on the music of Queen, McDonald has spent the past 20 years deconstructing and transcribing their songs.
Another highlight that sets the band apart is the “Voicestravarius.” Created by Midnight’s brother and longtime bandmate, CJ Midnight, it’s a wall of awe-inspiring vocals that replicates Queen’s iconic studio sound.
“While there is homage paid visually, we’re trying to give an experience that’s as close to the studio recordings as possible, and that’s what makes our show so special,” Midnight said.
The concert on March 17 will mark Midnight’s triumphant return to the stage after a nearly fatal traffic accident three years ago. He was struck by an SUV while riding his bicycle through an intersection and suffered traumatic brain injuries that left many future plans, including the possibility of ever performing again, uncertain. Although he lives with the results of those injuries on a daily basis, music helps ease the symptoms.
“It’s because of music that I pieced it together,” he said. “I am so blessed and grateful that we have a great band.”
Celebrating Queen will spend three days in Las Vegas rehearsing the entire production before traveling to St. George. The show is being filmed with multiple cameras in 4K, and some of the footage will be used to promote Midnight’s Everybody Sings Project.
Before the pandemic, Midnight visited schools to teach kids about the health benefits of singing and music, which proved profoundly therapeutic during his recovery. Inspired by Mercury’s famous vocal warmup with audience participation, which Midnight has used to improve his own singing technique for years, he created a vocal exercise regimen for strengthening lungs.
His goal is to expand the program globally to promote better breathing and a stronger defense against illness that attacks the lungs. He hopes it will be his legacy long after he leaves the stage.
The St. George concert kicks off Celebrating Queen’s long-awaited national tour. Next, the band will play in Liberty, Missouri, and additional venues throughout 2022.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
Event details
- What: Celebrating Queen.
- When: Thursday, March 17, starting at 8 p.m.
- Where: Cox Performing Arts Center, 335 S. 700 East, St. George.
- Tickets: $20-$50.
- Resources: Website.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.