Live Review: Adam Lambert Stays Glam in DC

June 28, 2010 - Adam Lambert caught audiences around the world by surprise with his stunning vocal and visual performances on American Idol. So naturally, the singer has set the a high bar for himself as he launches his first major tour. Although fellow Idol alum Allison Iraheta and guitar sensation Orianthi are along for the Glam Nation tour, there’s no mistaking that Lambert is the main source of hype and mystique.

Aside from the music, fans who packed themselves into the sold-out concert at Washington, D.C.’s 9:30 Club were had a rare ticket to experience Adam Lambert’s glam persona firsthand.

With flaming hot energy and a band that knew how to rock, Allison Iraheta easily impressed the club crowd. The redhead ran a dizzy of circles on stage, engaging fans from the front row to the balcony. Tracks were mostly lifted from her “Just Like You” album last year, but a cover song in the form of Pat Benatar‘s “Heartbreaker” was also thrown in. After Orianthi joined her on stage for further jamming, Iraheta became a tough act to follow.

But the 25-year-old Australian guitarist was up for a challenge. Although more focused and less frenzied than Iraheta, Orianthi gave a performance that effectively channeled both hard rock and mainstream pop. Her image on stage is similarly mixed; the black jacket gave a heavy image, while a pair of shiny white shoes suggested something more bubblegum. But Orianthi’s talent what matters, and she has an ample supply.

When it came time for the main act, the endless screams and cheers indicated that the 9:30 Club was more than ready. Following the recording of the new title track “For Your Entertainment“, the projected photo of Adam Lambert was replaced by the real thing.

Dressed in a complex mix of mostly black clothing and accessories (including an oversize top hat), Lambert offered a stage presence that was immediately haunting. His moves while performing matched the mystery of his outfit; the singer spent time ducking and lurking from side to side while building up to a piercing scream. But behind the dark and at times sinister veil draped over the concert, Lambert was no doubt having as much fun as his audience.

“Ring of Fire” brought out the theatric side of Lambert even further, and was rather reminiscent of his Idol days. But now there’s new material to be unleashed on fans as well. “Fever” offers a catchy tempo and chorus, and plenty of dancing on stage.

Clearly in his element through the entire show, Lambert was also on top of his game vocally. Fans who came to hear his now signature screams were not left disappointed as the singer held very little back. In addition to its musical merits, flashing lights, multicolor laser beams, shifting animations, and a group of stage dancers rounded out the frills of the show.

Adam Lambert is not an artist who’s afraid to stir up a little controversy. Whether he will acknowledge it himself or not, the success of the Glam Nation tour is just as reliant on mystique as it is on music.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 8:53 pm. It is filed under Concert Coverage. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.