Coming just a couple of weeks after the shock cancellation of Sonisphere 2012, where the band were due to headline with singer Adam Lambert up front, rock band Queen have announced they are to go ahead with a UK concert appearance this summer after all.
The band today announced that the highly anticipated pairing of Queen and Lambert will instead take place at London's HMV Hammersmith Apollo over two nights, July 11 and 12. In the announcement the band also promised to endeavour to give priority booking to those who had held tickets for their Knebworth concert. Says a band spokesperson:
"Queen acted immediately in looking for an alternative venue in an aim to avoid disappointing all those fans who had so desperately looked forward to seeing them at Knebworth. Coming in the lead into the Olympics, most of the venues they first approached were unavailable, being taken as official London Games 2012 venues. As the setting of some of the band's best remembered concerts, the idea of returning to this historic Hammersmith venue really appealed to them."
Said Brian May:
"Somehow this feels right - The Odeon is a big part of our history, and its atmosphere is second to none. It's the perfect place to acknowledge our faithful fans, and will be a fitting return to our roots !"
Roger Taylor added:
"We had made up our minds to play in the UK this year, so play we will ! Following the collapse of the Sonisphere organisation we didn't want to let down all those people expecting to see us live!"
Adam Lambert said further:
"I'm so thrilled that Queen found a way to ensure that the fans will get to see this event this summer. I can't wait to be in London to perform with Queen for these incredibly special shows!"
Tickets will go on sale next week, first to Queen fans and Sonisphere ticket holders and then on general sales as of Wednesday 18th April.