‘Killer Queen’ Brings a Killer Show to Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin
Get ready, Queen fans! The legendary sounds of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and the rest of Queen are heading to the Midwest, courtesy of Killer Queen, the world's premier Queen tribute band. Led by the charismatic Patrick Myers, who masterfully takes on the role of Freddie Mercury, Killer Queen will be rocking the Tri-State area with upcoming shows in Dubuque, Eau Claire, and Joliet. I had the opportunity to chat with Myers about the band’s journey, what fans can expect, and how it feels to perform in the same arenas Queen once did.
"It's been a surreal ride," Myers told me as we reflected on the band's 30-year career. Killer Queen was formed in 1993, and their early days seemed destined to be short-lived. "We thought the band would last maybe a summer at most, but it’s such an addictive thing performing these songs!" Myers said. That "addiction" to the music of Queen soon turned into a phenomenon of its own, with Killer Queen growing in popularity across the UK and internationally.
Fast-forward to today, and Killer Queen has achieved milestones most tribute bands could only dream of. They've played at legendary venues like London’s Strand Theatre, even sharing stages with the likes of Bjorn Again and The Bootleg Beatles. "One of the biggest moments for us was becoming regular performers at Red Rocks Arena in Colorado," Myers shared. "The Beatles, U2, Springsteen—they’ve all played there. The place just has this magical aura about it."
For Midwestern fans, this fall presents the perfect opportunity to witness that magic firsthand as Killer Queen returns to the U.S. for their fourth and biggest tour yet. The Tri-State area dates are set for:
- October 4th, 2024 – Dubuque, IA @ Five Flags Center
- October 8th, 2024 – Eau Claire, WI @ Pablo Center at the Confluence
- October 9th, 2024 – Joliet, IL @ Rialto Square Theatre
What can fans expect? If you’ve never experienced a Killer Queen show, prepare for an unforgettable evening. As Myers explained, "We recreate that classic Queen concert experience with incredible attention to detail—from Freddie’s iconic moves to the rich harmonies that made their music legendary." It’s a performance where nostalgia meets spectacle, and it’s received glowing reviews from critics around the world. BBC’s Duncan Kennedy hailed Killer Queen as “kings of the musical impersonators,” while The People magazine raved, “Concerts as near to the real thing as you’re likely to get. Freddie lives!”
While the band is constantly compared to Queen’s original performances, they add their own flavor to the mix. Myers emphasized that performing Queen’s music is more than just an imitation—it’s about keeping the spirit and energy of the songs alive for new and longtime fans alike. “We’ve had people come up after shows and tell us they felt like they were reliving their memories from when they saw Queen live in the ’70s and ’80s. That’s one of the best compliments we could ever get,” he said.
With nearly 30 years of sold-out shows in Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, and the U.S., Killer Queen has proven that the demand for Queen's timeless music hasn’t waned. The band's stellar track record includes everything from recreating Queen’s harmonies for Fatboy Slim’s chart-topping track “The Real Life” to winning the coveted "Worldwide Best Tribute Band" award. More recently, their sold-out performances at venues like Ahoy Stadium and Brighton Centre have only solidified their status as the world’s best Queen tribute.
So, if you’re in Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin, this is your chance to relive the magic of Queen live! From "Bohemian Rhapsody" to "We Will Rock You" and everything in between, Killer Queen delivers a show that’s second to none. As Myers told me, "We're not just standing there in our jeans and T-shirts turning out a few queen songs in a bar. It's a theatrical experience in the same way that you see a musical would be. It's a beautiful show. And we're proud of it and hope people really enjoy it." Chatting with Patrick was a blast and we covered everything from cover band trolls to the differences of touring the UK and America. Click below to listen to my full interview with Patrick Myers about the unforgettable experience that awaits you when Killer Queen is on stage.
Make sure to grab your tickets soon—these shows are sure to sell out fast! Don’t miss your chance to witness the ultimate Queen tribute right here in the Tri-State area.