The famous set from Live Aid has been transported to a muddy field as filming for the Freddie Mercury biopic gets underway.
Photographs taken today show the stage from the charity gig held at Wembley Stadium in 1985 re-erected at Bovingdon Airfield in Hemel Hempsted.
The set is an exact replica from the showcase organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the Ethiopian famine.
Replica: An identical set to the Live Aid stage, created for the world-famous benefit concert in 1985 has been recreated in a mystery location from the Freddie Mercury biopic
Production for the film about the career of Queen’s frontman Freddie Mercury started last week after years of stalling.
It has been given the working title of Bohemian Rhapsody, according to NME, with Brian May involved in recreating key scenes from his friend and bandmate’s life.
Mr Robot star Rami Malek has been cast to play the Don’t Stop Me Now singer and will be taking to the stage soon to reenact the moment the group stepped out in front of 70,000 fans in the summer of 1985.
Mercury wowed millions worldwide with his performance, six years before he tragically died of complications from Aids.
It is understood filming will take place in and around London before moving to Dublin. The location of the Live Aid set is not yet known.
X-Men director Bryan Singer described it as ‘not a traditional biopic’ and said it was a celebration of the band’s music.
May could hardly contain his excitement when he tweeted a picture of the famous stage, writing: ‘LIVE AID LIVES AGAIN. It’s a miracle. Bo Rhap the movie. We are on.’
Iconic lineup: Brian May posted a picture of the set list which includes some of the biggest names in British music
May has already paid a number of visits to the set, also sharing an image of the original Live Aid lineup which shows the remarkable set list from the 1980s concert.
Performers on the day included Elton John, David Bowie and U2.
He nostalgically wrote alongside the image to Instagram: ‘Bring back any memories? Bri.’
It is thought May will help advise the director Brian Singer on the scene which will depict the band’s Live Aid performance.
Rami Malex, chosen to play Mercury, could barely contain his excitement for the upcoming role in an interview this week.
He told People: ‘When you’re able to open your eyes and see a different person staring back at you in the mirror, it’s a very affirming moment.’
He said that his resemblance to the four-octave singer ‘only adds to the level of confidence that one would need to play Freddie Mercury.’
Not missing out: Keen Brian May has already visited the set despite production starting just over a week ago
Not quite Wembley: The stage, which welcomed the likes of David Bowie and George Michael, has been transported to a random field
Sound mixers will use a blend of Mercury’s voice with Malek’s in a bid to recreate the legend’s recognisable voice.
Malek told the magazine: ‘We’re going to use Freddie as much as possible and use myself as much as possible.’
The film is due to hit cinemas in the UK in December 2018.
The presence of the Live Aid stage will no doubt evoke memories for those old enough to remember the day it was broadcast on national television.
The benefit concert held in London in the height of summer also saw a twin gig held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Some 72,000 packed out Wembley while 100,000 attended the J F K stadium in the States.
Live Aid inspired a number of similar events to be held in Canada, the Soviet Union, Japan and West Germany on the same day as it went down in history as one of the largest-scale satellite link-up events of all time.
The total global audience of the event was estimated to be 1.9 billion people across 150 nations.
Queen were described as having ‘stole the show’ for their 20-minute medley of their greatest hits.
Mercury described his enthusiasm for the event at the time, he said they wanted to do it for the cause but also it would bring a bit of friendly competition.
He said: ‘Everyone will be trying to outdo each other, which will cause a bit of friction. It makes me personally proud to be a part of it.’
The band did not ask to open or close the show but instead selected the 6pm slot – prime time for the UK and suitable for a US audience who were five hours behind.
They performed Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, Hammer to Fall, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions.
The unanimous reaction by the crowd was captured during the live broadcast. Elton John was said to be so impressed he dashed to their dressing room afterwards, screaming they had stolen the show.
Super group: Queen in 1973. Left to right: drummer Roger Taylor, singer Mercury, guitarist Brian May, and bassist John Deacon.