Bohemian Rhapsody has been released and now there’s a shop to buy everything about Queen
Feet step onto the stage, and it starts to tremble. A wave of excited breathing is heard before hands start clapping madly. Hundreds of thousands of people are listening to – and feeling – the most unique voice in the world.
That scene has been viewed more than 93 million times on YouTube. It’s one of the most epic performances of Live Aid, all the way back in 1985.
Bohemian Rhapsody is like a cork easing out from an expensive bottle of champagne: the sound produced is the first detail that gives a glimpse into the effervescence of the composition.
Now everyone can now go the cinema and relive Freddie Mercury performing to sell-out crowds in London, just by watching the Bohemian Rhapsody biopic, which was released on October 24th.
Now, to celebrate the film’s release, the surviving members of Queen – Roger Taylor and Brian May – have opened a pop-up shop in Carnaby, London, dedicated to everything that makes the band special.
“Their music was revolutionary at the times, Freddie Mercury is an inspiring human being,” says Rakshet Sachdev, 28, a scientist who was looking at the original costumes that featured in the film, exhibited in the lower floor of the shop.
“My grandad listens to it, my dad listens to it and I listen to it and I grew up listening to it, that’s why I came here,” says Sachdev.
The shop, which opened right before the release of the film, offers a variety of merchandise, including mugs, posters, clothes, a limited edition of Queen Monopoly and, of course, a large collection of records.
Clients from all over the world come every day but “its audience is split between two definite type of consumers,” says Tanaka Saburi, 32, shop brand manager. Clients who come from abroad tend to spend more than average because of the exclusivity of the merchandise, he said.
“It’s the top visited store at the moment in London. In 28 days we sold more than what people are planning us to sell in three months,” says Saburi.
Recent purchases list guitars as the top-selling items even though they reach a £700 price tag. The most expensive item was a unique picture of Queen completely made from Swarowsky crystals that sold for £2,000.
Customers are encouraged to “look up the skies and see” the wonderful light installation outside the shop that displays Bohemian Rhapsody lyrics. Those purple, blue and shimmering lights make strolling around London even more exciting – and draw attention to the pop-up.
The shop is also host to different events, displayed on Queen official website, including a performance by the London Saxophone Choir played on November 18th, playing Queen favourites such as We Are the Champions, Another One Bites the Dust, We Will Rock You, Somebody to Love and Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
“It’s good music to play and the audience love it!” said Mel Skiggs, 59, the band’s soprano saxophone.
The Queen Pop-Up Store will be open until 6th January
3 Carnaby Street
Opened Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm