Oscars 2019: Queen and Adam Lambert open the ceremony

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: (L-R) Brian May of Queen and Adam Lambert perform onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo credit: Getty

The 2019 Academy Awards are officially underway with a powerful performance from Queen featuring Adam Lambert to kick the proceedings off.

The iconic band opened the show off the back of the success of the Freddy Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which sees Rami Malek nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of the legendary frontman.

The band performed 'We Will Rock You' and 'We Are The Champions' in place of the traditional opening monologue.

While Malek did sing in his role as Mercury, he didn't join the band on stage, which was instead lead by singer and American Idol alumni Lambert, who has toured with the band for many years.

"I lived in Los Angeles for 17 years and to open the Oscars, I never would have dreamed this is possible," he told E! News ahead of the performance. 

"Queen and I have been working together for six years and been traveling the world and we're performing this song in celebration of Bohemian Rhapsody - everybody worked hard and we're celebrating together."

The film has been nominated for a total of five awards, including Best Picture.

Newshub.