Hard Rockers Queensrÿche at Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale
Fresh off the week-long Monsters of Rock cruise in Miami, once the band set foot on terra firma, Queensrÿche made a quick two-night stop in Florida’s Orlando on Saturday and Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. The band is currently on The Verdict world tour that brought them to the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday night.
It was clear that that this was going to be a night of debauchery, as the line of hardcore Queensrÿche fans lined up hours early outside the main entrance to the Culture Room in order to secure a spot in the venue or risk being part of the overflow crowd that wouldn’t get a clear view of the stage at this very small standing-room-only venue. Queensrÿche sold every possible ticket, and people were elbow to elbow as lead singer Todd La Torre noted: “The crowd is packed like sardines.”
As AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells” was blasted over the P.A., the energy was cranked up when the lights dropped to a sea of blue stage lights as the band walked out onto the stage and launched into their new single “Blood of the Levant,” kicking off a nearly two-hour set with everyone in the venue knowing they were seeing one of heavy metal’s hardest rockers.
There was nothing more to be said. Queensrÿche let their music do the most of the talking; the show didn’t have the spectacular lighting and effects that a band like this normally has because of the size of the venue. The venue is not set up like an arena; it has the feel of a local bar rather than a concert hall. Still, Queensrÿche delivered what everyone came for: a night of ear-piercing heavy metal that continues to draw loyal admirers and a new generation of rock music fans.
The band teased the crowd by thanking them for coming, then walked off stage. Those who stood in place watching this show for almost two hours wanted more. It was clear that the night was not over; after all they hadn’t played a few of their 1990s mega-hits, and nobody was leaving until they got them. The lights dipped into a blue hue, and the sweet sounds of a familiar guitar ballad began. The crowd quickly realized they were about to hear perhaps Queensrÿche’s most popular and recognized song, an epic power ballad that became the band’s first top 10 single. As the band played fan favorite “Silent Lucidity,” everyone in the house sang along in a choir-like manner that made one stop to realize that this was more than a rock song; it was spiritual.
There was still some more rock to be played as La Torre belted out the lyrics to “Jet City Woman.” Closing the night out with “Empire,” the band played the last three songs from the highly regarded 1990 studio album Empire.
The night came to an end with the band graciously taking their customary bows and shaking hands with the crowd, leaving those who came for a rock show with a great feeling of satisfaction. Whether it’s a stadium, arena, casino or small venue, Queensrÿche continues to deliver night after night, keeping them relevant in a crowded rock and roll music scene.
[Setlist: Blood of the Levant, I Am I, NM 156, Man the Machine, Condition Human, Queen of the Reich, Selfish Lives, Open Road, Light Years, Eyes of a Stranger; Encore: Silent Lucidity, Jet City Woman, Empire]
