Champions Under Pressure to play Queen tribute at The Hive
By Reader Staff
There are a few bands in the history of music that rise above their peers. Led by Freddie Mercury and his out-of-this-world vocal abilities, Queen is undoubtedly one of the greatest rock bands ever to grace the stage.
In homage to that legacy, Champions Under Pressure is a new tribute group with a dedication to delivering the ultimate Queen experience to the people, which it will present Saturday, Dec. 27 at the Nearly New Year’s Eve Weekend show at The Hive (207 N. First Ave., in downtown Sandpoint).
Doors are at 7 p.m., with Kevin Dorin opening at 7:30 p.m. and the main show at 8:30 p.m. Attendance is 21+ and $25 tickets are available at livefromthehive.com.
After more than a year of dedicated rehearsal, Champions Under Pressure debuted in Spokane to acclaim in November, and will now bring the rock to Sandpoint. Expect more than just a flawless recreation of Queen’s hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “Somebody to Love.” Along with the music is a full concert production with costume changes, spot-on musicianship and the powerhouse energy that made Queen legendary.
Champions Under Pressure will play The Hive Saturday, Dec. 27. Courtesy photo
Sandpoint High School graduate Aaron “Mr. Fahrenheit” Birdsall is taking on the role of Freddie Mercury. Birdsall has toured all over the world as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, is a Grammy Recording Academy member involved in more than 100 albums, and has worked with multiple Grammy winners and platinum record artists and producers. After attending audio engineering school in Los Angeles and living in various cities around the nation, he now resides in Coeur d’Alene.
Joining Birdsall is Rick Hiller playing guitarist Brian May. Hiller has played more than 1,000 live shows with different acts and is known for matching May’s guitar licks note for note. Zack Cooper will take on the role of Queen’s drummer Rodger Taylor. Cooper has established himself as an excellent drummer after touring the globe playing in multiple bands. Finally, Court Saunders will represent Queen’s bassist Jon Deacon. Saunders is a multi-instrumentalist and singer, as well as spending a lot of time working in TV and film.
Expect this energetic show to pull no punches and send the audience back to a time when rock gods ruled.
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