Adam Lambert Is Coming To America

Adam Lambert and the American Idols Live tour finally rolls into the tri-state area today, with all the attendant New York City media pit-stops. Adam performed acoustically for Good Morning America, then does a night in Atlantic City, two at Newark's Prudential Center and two more at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.

For all you big city types breaking out in hives at the idea of sharing a row with screaming tweens and their cougar moms, here's why it's worth making the bridge and/or tunnel haul to one of those venues: America, it turns out, loves Adam Lambert. No, they really love him. Really really love him. At the show I saw last month at LA's Staples Center, and by all accounts of every stop in between through the South and Midwest, Lambert is the headliner of this tour in all but name (even winner Kris Allen said so).

You know the first time you went to a big Pride event, or a huge gay dance club, or, say, the Blonde Ambition tour? And you realized there were hundreds or thousands or maybe even a million other queers all around, everywhere you looked? Seeing Adam Lambert live made me feel like that, but flipped upside down and around a million times on a ridiculous roller coaster where nothing is what you expect. Being in a sports arena while a straight-up cross-section of mainstream America is screaming their fucking faces off for the queerest, kinkiest pop star since Madonna is a moment every 'mo should experience for themselves.

There were teenage girlfriends holding up a rainbow flag during the anthemic "Mad World," 8-year-old boys staring dreamily up at Adam masturbating his mic stand for "Whole Lotta Love" (no, that's not overstating the case) and jaded middle-aged industry dudes shaking their head in amazed and impressed disbelief. (Last month, I had dinner with my eightysomething Mormon grandmother, who gushed about Adam and demanded to know my expert opinion on how it was possible he hadn't won. If she's Adam's biggest fan, anyone's fair game.)

It's one thing to watch Idol at home every week, wondering how the hell Adam kept managing to advance in a "family-friendly" popularity contest. It is a whole other mad, mad world to hear 20,000 people explode with excitement every time he shimmies like a stripper while demanding the crowd "get up and dance, bitches!"

It's not entirely the Adam show: Anoop and Matt are doing their best to bring sexy back, and they both make a good stab at it. Allison attacks Pink, Janis, Heart and her "Slow Ride" duet with Adam with such attitude and aplomb that it's like a huge flashing pink warning to any teen diva-in-training that there's a new girl in town (I'm looking at you, Jordin Sparks).

And the actual headliner, winner Kris Allen, glides right into a much more traditional pop-rock set with almost Fred Astaire ease, given the wild show that immediately precedes him. "Ain't No Sunshine" is as cinematic as on the finale episode, the godawful single "No Boundaries" was quickly yanked in favor of a heartfelt take on the Killers' "All These Things That I've Done" and "Hey Jude" is as sweet and sincere as Kris' southern aw-shucks smile. If you haven't heard Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" enough this year -- it was one of the only songs, thanks to the cast of the new TV show Glee, that out-charted Kris or Allen during Idol season -- you'll love the dueling pianos ensemble finale.

If you can't make the trek, get a front row seat via the YouTube video at the top of the post.

-- SHANA NAOMI KROCHMAL

Comments

[Anna]

"You know the first time you went to a big Pride event, or a huge gay dance club, or, say, the Blonde Ambition tour? And you realized there were hundreds or thousands or maybe even a million other queers all around, everywhere you looked? Seeing Adam Lambert live made me feel like that, but flipped upside down and around a million times on a ridiculous roller coaster where nothing is what you expect. Being in a sports arena while a straight-up cross-section of mainstream America is screaming their fucking faces off for the queerest, kinkiest pop star since Madonna is a moment every 'mo should experience for themselves."

Thank you so much for this. That's it exactly. It's overwhelming to experience live just how enthralling and loved he is by so many people. I just kept thinking, "Is this real?" both because he is AMAZING live and because I couldn't believe how thoroughly embraced he was by so many different kinds of people.

[Mel]

This is dead on. I went to the concert when they were in the Bay Area, and I expected Adam to get support here. But it is still a "family show" crowd, so I was kind of amazed to see teens, tweens, grown men and women, in fact entire families alike absolutely lose their shit over the wonderfully queer Adam Lambert. And did that boy ever deliver, his vocals live are stunning, and he tears up that stage.

And while that 20 minute set was well worth the price of admission, looking around at the crowd during his set, at that wide swathe of mainstream America on their feet, screaming, swaying, dancing for one Adam Lambert -- priceless.

[mary]

I love this review. I want to eat it or something. My tour date isn't here yet, but you've captured the feeling I get when I watch the youtubes of the concert.

I'm sure this isn't news, but there are many straights out there (I am one) leaking tears of joy that "mainstream America" loves Adam with the heat of a thousand suns. Idol's been my guilty pleasure for 8 years and I was cheering from my sofa every week that beautiful boy moved forward.

And I am SO GLORIOUSLY HAPPY that he hasn't pulled back for the tour, but is instead giving fans every inch of his love. He accidentally Idol's cred and is making the tour a real rock concert, at long last.

[Elaine]

I can't wait to be able to see Adam live over this side of the Atlantic but for now Youtube will have to do. Thanks.

[Vela]

There are a couple of videos on Youtube of toddlers dancing along to Adam every week on AI and the oldest person on Twitter (104 years old) is an Adam fan.

Talent knows no barriers.

[DSevere]

Thanks so much for this article -- that's EXACTLY it. For all kinds of alternative lifestyle groups. I'm a member of the LA fetish community and those YouTube clips of whips and furry handcuffs being thrown onstage just made me feel like YEAAAH!!!! Middle America is buying this! It's a miracle!

I actually bought a ticket for the Staples show to see it for myself. I was going to wait for Adam's solo tour but I just had to see just the sort of response this article so perfectly describes. It was worth the $75 plus $20 parking for Adam's alltogether too short set (plus Allison and to a lesser extent Anoop. Rest of show: eh.)

[DB in CT]

Adam has that special something...call it androgeny...which appeals to both sexes. Sure he's gay...but he has turned on women who haven't been turned on in years! And it's not even sexual...it's his freedom of expression. Yes...he has the best voice in generations and knows how to use it...but the phenomenon of Adam Lambert is about the whole package. And lucky for us, that package is nice to look at and sure knows something about styling!

[Jessica]

Love this article, Shana. Will you be doing a review of the concert while it's there?

[Sue Morgan]

when my conservative, Limbaugh listening, office mate gushed over Adam's Ring of Fire, while expressing it does not matter if he is gay, I knew Adam was going to affect some change in many lives in America. Your review is awesome and funny. I feel so hopeful for this time in America.

[Sue McGee]

I am loving the comments your piece inspired. I too am thrilled by the sheer power of Adam and thrilled that the world is embracing him for who he is. Nothing hidden, no lies.

It's giving me a good feeling for what the future may hold.

[terie]

I, too, am a straight 72 yo grandmother with a Christian background who ADORES ADAM LAMBERT. I begin and end each day with my computer watching ADAM on Ytube. I follow all his performances in all the cities and being unable to physically attend any concert due to mobility (might get trampled) I get my dose of ADAM in that manner. NEVER since my days of ELVIS have I been so completely taken with anyone. His voice, looks, and gentlemanly manner have captured my heart. I love his ballads and blush at his rock & roll. BUT don't ever try to hurt him...I'm old but I'll fight!!!!

[terie]

And, oh yes, one more thing....the fact that he is gay.... so what? I'm already married...I just want to watch him become the MEGA star that he deserves to be. CASE CLOSED!!!

[spinoc]

Aside from the incredible voice and showmanship, the amazing, awesome and sometimes even confusing sexual charisma of Adam Lambert is that I as a straight woman do not wish that he was straight, instead he makes me wish that I was a gay guy who was his type. That is something no other man has ever made me think or feel, and that is some powerful mojo!

[Starlight]

Thank you for your review. Yes, I do love Adam Lambert! He is a phenomenal singer/entertainer. I saw him in Tacoma on the tour and he was superb! Looking forward to his music!

[bridgette]

omg i luv adam so much!!!! he is the whole package!!!hes gorgeous and has a good voice!!! omg i luv so much!!!!

[Dunsa]

Don't give a SH*T if he's gay. This man can sing and I mean really sing. It gives me goosebumps just reading what he can do. Adam is very rare, extremely rare, artist who who has the talent, the looks and the moves that makes us nuts!!! We are hooked on Adam for life!!! BTW, I am from Hong Kong!!!! I will not be surprised if he buys a home in Malibu soon!!!! Good luck Adam, WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

[Brenda Jamerson]

I've never been to an American Idol concert - I wouldn't be caught dead at one, I'm way too cool.. OK,OK,damn it, I bought two tickets at $200 each to get good seats to see this years concert. Damn it - he got me!! How the hell did he do it?? Any other year I would have laughed at anyone who went to an AI concert never mind pay $200 per ticket. Adam Lambert has me mesmerized and I'm not sure why yet. I can't take my eyes off of him. I listen to his iTunes music in an endless loop and I've become Lambertized. What?? I'm way too cool and old for this shit!! I managed to get this far in my life enjoying the pleasure of making fun of those who got star-struck over actors or singers. Now I am one of them and everyone around me knows it and I don't care if they do!! Damn you Adam Lambert!!

[Lisa Kimball]

Great review .. I'm driving my friends crazy because I just can't stop talking about how amazing and FANTASTIC it is to see Adam Lambert launching into the stratosphere. I'm older, married, straight and totally enthralled with Adam. For sure, there's a huge dose of sexuality in his performances - but I think it's really about FREEDOM and JOY. Adam's energy ignites something in all of us and we LOVE it!!!! I've been watching all the YOUTUBE performances but they couldn't touch the real thing.

I saw the concert in DC - in a sports center packed with fans screaming for Adam. When it was time for him to come on the chant A-DAM A-DAM A-DAM was deafening. And I was thrilled!

[shadamholic]

This has to be the BEST vid I've seen of any of the concert performaces...and I've been watching every possible one I find on YouTube. AWESOME. What IS it about Adam that we ALL just love him...he is utterly ADAMAZING! I just can't wait to see him on his OWN Tour..but I'm SO glad I saw/heard in LIVE in Atlanta...AND touched him and now have his autograph on the CD I made of all his Idol performances from iTunes! btw..if you are an Adam fan and haven't downloaded all of the audio and video performances you need to do that...it is an AWESOME CD that I listen to every possible minute that I can. Just wish I could get Starlight and that Bowey medley somehow!! 8-)

[Edith]

Here sits another straight, pretty conservative older woman that has fallen under Adam's spell. He's got what we need in these terrible economic times. That voice, that talent, those good looks,that attitude. Why do I wish I were a gay young man so that I could be close to him? This is a "Mad World," for sure. His charm, sensibility, sensitvity, his story has mesmerized many of us already. PPL OF THE WORLD,I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL EVERYONE KNOWS HIM SO THAT I CAN SEE HOW MANY LOVE HIM! I see that Adam's effect on me has been felt by many others and is as confusing to others as it is to me. Kind-of embarrassing to this ex-professional career woman.???????????????

[Wicked Glitter]

I can't wait to see Adam when he comes to michigan! HE IS JUST ALL AROUND BEAUTIFUL! I think he is the sexiest man alive. I think PEOPLE magazine should put him on the cover as the sexiest man alive ever. To nominate Adam for this just go to editor@People.com.. Adam was just given an award from Rolling Stone because his cover sold the most copies this year. RS sold out quickly in Michigan. I would buy any magazine that had Adam on the cover.