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Lambert promises ‘tasteful’ show
By JOHN BENSON
Following in the footsteps of Madonna, Britney and now Lady Gaga, “American Idol” Season 8 alum and pop-singer Adam Lambert has the ingredients of a promising career with just the right amount of controversy (meaning publicity) and hit-record success.
The former involved the openly gay Lambert kissing a male dancer at the 2009 American Music Awards show, and the latter is his debut album, “For Your Entertainment,” which has already sold more than 600,000 copies based on the success of hit single “Whataya Want From Me?” Now comes the 28-year-old’s first headlining jaunt. “The Glam Nation Tour” comes to Northeast Ohio for a Friday show at the Allen Theatre.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the tour is whether Lambert will be pushing sexual boundaries. That is, will he be repeating his controversial AMA performance and perhaps making some fans uncomfortable?
“I definitely think they will be comfortable,” said Lambert, during a recent telephone conference call. “That was kind of an artistic experiment, the AMAs, and I learned a lot from it. I learned kind of what my limitations are. I learned what my audience wants to see. The concert definitely is sexy, but I feel like if anybody felt that that was not tasteful, this is tasteful.”
In the year that has passed since Lambert was named runner-up to “American Idol” Season 8 winner Kris Allen, the singer has altered his image slightly. During the reality show’s run Lambert collaborated with Queen and KISS, as well as performed Smokey Robinson & the Miracle’s “The Tracks of my Tears,” Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” and Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” However, “For Your Entertainment” is decidedly imbued with an electropop sheen.
As for “The Glam Nation Tour,” Lambert is considering this his coming-out party, a choreographed event inspired by late 19th-century New Orleans and psychedelic classic rock. As far as inspiration, he didn’t have to look too far from his “American Idol” judges panel.