Who Turned the Volume Up for Queen at Live Aid?

At Live Aid in 1985, Queen's performance was famously powerful and energetic. Lead guitarist Brian May mentioned that the volume levels during their set were deliberately increased to ensure they could be heard clearly over the massive crowd. While the band's commanding presence and musical prowess played a significant role, the technical adjustments made by the sound team were crucial in achieving the iconic sound.

Freddie Mercury: The Ultimate Whoop

Folks, it was Freddie. He was at the top of his game. He pulled out the ultimate whoop, and everyone rediscovered Queen. The energy and the commanding stage presence that Freddie brought were key factors in their standout performance at the event.

A Crucial Sound Engineer

Many have highlighted the contribution of the sound engineer, Trip Khalif, in ensuring Queen's performance was unforgettable. Trip Khalif was hired to do the Live Aid sound but also had a unique connection to the band, having worked with them previously.

The Technical Adjustment

On the night of Live Aid, Trip Khalif turned up the limiters just before Queen began their set. This made Queen louder than any band that had come before them. He then reset the limiters after they finished, ensuring consistency across all acts.

Even though they were louder than everyone else, what truly stands out is Freddie Mercury's energy and control. Queen practiced meticulously, knowing the amount of time they had, and their incredible set list contributed to their status as the best act of the day.

Queen's performance is still rated the best live rock’n’roll performance in history. The combination of Freddie Mercury's stage presence and the technical prowess of Trip Khalif made their performance memorable and iconic.

Feel free to explore more about Live Aid, Freddie Mercury, and the incredible talent that is Queen.