Perlman PR sent correspondent Paulette Niehoff to cover another chapter of Adam Lambert's Glam Nation Tour, and below is our review of two of his Adamazing performances!
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida - September 18, 2010
Sprinkled amid all the Rays jerseys waiting in line to enter Tropicana Field, you would see men and women sporting black and silver with glitter and feathers, and many Adam Lambert t-shirts. As I with my husband, daughter and friends made our way to our seats, I would make eye contact with other black-garbed, sparkly fans who would silently communicate their building excitement. At game time, meeting in the Brewhouse Bar and Grill were the Glamberts/Flamberts, many wearing the dazed appearance of stars in their eyes, consistent with the unmistakable look of having just met the incredible Adam Lambert at the pre-game Meet & Greet.
Soon it was deemed time to make our way to the doors, which would eventually lead to the field and the spot where the concert was to be held. Clearly, the security staff at Tropicana Field was unprepared for the sheer number and passion of Adam Lambert fans. Standing in line in that hallway, waiting for the game to end and concert to begin, became scary and uncomfortable. This was not helped by the bumbling antics of the unprepared Tropicana Field staff. Eventually and thankfully, the Rays won the game, and the many fans who lined up for hours were now allowed to "run for their lives" onto the field where the stage was set up for the true main event. The crowd on the field was similar to most GA crowds, except for a few careless individuals who thoughtlessly hoisted their young children onto their shoulders. This not only endangered their children, but severely blocked the view of anyone unlucky enough behind them. What I found happily surprising was not just the number of fans on the field, but the large number of fans still in their seats who remained for the post-game concert.
A local DJ came out to announce the start of the show, and Allison with her band took the stage. Allison was clearly excited by the large, enthusiastic crowd who welcomed her. With each song performed, we knew that we were that much closer to the entrance of Adam Lambert. All too soon, we bid farewell to the enthusiastic and talented Miss Iraheta. Intermission went by in a flash. Even without the usual screen of Adam’s face gracing the stage, fans could not miss the recording of For Your Entertainment playing over Tropicana Field’s loudspeakers. We knew that Adam would be appearing at the top of the stairs any moment.
Then as if by magic, there he was in all his purple and top hat glory! Looking beautiful and confident, his makeup was done especially glorious for this performance, all glittery with purples, blacks, and silver. His voice showed no trace of the stress he has been experiencing earlier in the week. His performance was strong, sensitive, and at times playful, as when instructing a bumping and grinding Tommy that this was a “family-oriented” show. I’ve got to believe that Adam gained many new followers from the baseball fans who stayed after the game that evening.
Although the portable stage setup that night was small, his performance was large and amazing. The cheers were loud and thunderous! Unfortunately, some fans were overcome by a combination of Florida humidity, Adam’s heat, and unnecessary pre-show stress due to Tropicana Field’s ineptness, and had to be helped off the field by medical personnel. The many fans who could take the heat were treated to an exceptional show by an exceptional performer, and his talented and beautiful entourage. And then it ended, not ever to be forgotten.
Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida - September 19, 2010
The crowd at the Hard Rock Live was as diverse and eclectic as Adam Lambert’s music. The audience ranged from youngsters to older adults, women, and a surprising large number of men, straights and gays, couples and singles, families and groups of friends, and seasoned fans to newbies. I found myself envying the fans that were seeing the Glam Nation Tour for the first time. I fondly remembered the excitement while waiting for our world idol to take the stage at my first Glam Nation Tour experience. These newbies at the Hard Rock did have my sympathies, since with this being Adam’s 71st and second to last stop on the U.S. mainland, they would not be able to quench their almost certain thirst for more, when his amazing show would end tonight. For now, we were all one united in our love and admiration for this remarkable man.
The first to take the stage was Allison Iraheta. Despite delivering enthusiastic performances to sold-out crowds in Melbourne, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, she was still in great voice, and appeared energetic and comfortable with the large, adoring crowd. Allison has grown in poise and polish during her tour with Adam Lambert this summer. Cracking jokes easily with the audience, “I sweat a lot, but the lashes haven’t fallen off yet; so, we’re good!” Allison endeared herself even more.
During the lengthy intermission, the sold-out audience of more that 5,500 people turned the auditorium into a giant disco. It was led at times by an unknown man dancing in the floor seats, wearing a glittery silver-sequined shirt.
Then it was time for Adam to appear atop a staircase, giving him the chance to slink down to the stage while performing Voodoo and Down The Rabbit Hole. He was stunningly dressed in lush fringed purple robes, beautifully tight lace-up black pants, and a bejeweled top hat with a glittery “A” on the front. He was joined onstage by his very talented band, and four very capable and well-rehearsed dancers. He then ascended the stairs to deliver a performance of Ring of Fire that was truly on fire! Next was the sizzling Fever which always is a crowd-pleaser with everyone in Adam’s group; band and dancers getting into the act. Soaked was hauntingly emotional, as was the heartbreaking Sleepwalker. Aftermath allowed us to see a little deeper into the person who is Adam Lambert.
A wave of blue glow sticks from the audience greeted a flawless performance of Whataya Want from Me. You could definitely feel the love from Adam to his audience, and from his audience back to him. He shows this love by consistently delivering emotional and flawless performances at each and every show. This love continued through Music Again, Sure Fire Winners, and the well-choreographed Strut.
When the concert progresses to If I Had You, it is natural for a little melancholy to set in as you realize that the show is almost over. With introductions of his beloved band and dancers, this is certainly an audience favorite particularly when Adam says “The message I want you to take away tonight is... No matter how much money or fame or success or sex you have, it doesn’t mean anything unless it is connected to love.” You can feel this love in the audience. When even his tour bus drivers come dancing onto the stage, you know that this love, also, is spread throughout his cast and crew.
The love fest is not over. After much cheering and pleading, Adam is brought back for an amazing and sexy encore of the rock classic, 20th Century Boy. "Oh! The many sides of Adam Lambert!"
