Lambert’s showiness doesn’t disappoint Wichita fans
Lambert’s showiness doesn’t disappoint Wichita fans
BY DENISE NEIL
The Wichita Eagle
Adam Lambert, like many successful "American Idol" alums, draws a diverse audience to his shows, and Friday's sold-out crowd of 2,000 at the Cotillion was one of them.
Tweens, teens and 20-somethings crowded shoulder-to-shoulder on the packed Cotillion floor with moms and dads propping small children on their shoulders and young gay couples holding hands. Middle-aged couples and senior citizens well into their 80s stationed themselves at the tables circling the floors. KAKE-Channel 10 anchor and self-professed "Glambert" Susan Peters stood on a chair with her camera, trying to get a better look at the singer.
Lambert, 28, the second-place finisher but arguably most popular constant from "American Idol's" eighth season, put on a synthesized, glittery, sexually charged show that appeared to please the fans he attracted.
Lambert, known for his glam stage presence, costume changes, soaring high notes and stylized pop, performed most of the songs from his debut album, "For Your Entertainment," including radio hits "Whataya Want From Me" and "If I Had You," plus a couple of covers he personalized when he appeared on "Idol."
The set included several costume changes, each one accented with top hats, long coats, fur collars or dramatic feathers. His signature heavy black eye makeup and all-over body glitter was visible even from the back of the venue, and his floppy-on-one-side hairstyle was one of his best accessories.
The show, part pop concert, part music theater, was colorful, modern and never dull. Lambert made the most of the Cotillion's small stage, crowding on a full band, a set of stairs and four backup dancers, who gyrated in sync with their glamorous leader as a laser show projected colorful spears of light above the crowd.
Highlights of the show were Lambert's upbeat rock/pop songs, including "Fever," during which Lambert showed off his dance skills, and an end-of-the-show performance of his single "If I Had You," which was energetic, fun and showy.
His full voice and range was showcased during a performance of his single "Soaked," an orchestral ballad that ended a slowed-down portion of the show that also included an acoustic version of "Whataya Want From Me."
His Middle-Eastern-influenced rendition of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" was another highlight. You almost wouldn't recognize the song if not for the lyrics, and for the fact that Lambert performed his version during his "Idol" run. And the crowd loved his encore cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World."
Lambert's fellow Season 8 finalist, Allison Iraheta, she of the red-streaked hair and rocking raspy voice, opened the show with a 40-minute set that included several singles off her album "Just Like You," including "Don't Waste the Pretty," "Scars," and "Friday I'll Be Over U."
Wearing a tight-fitting dress with black boots and tights, 18-year-old Iraheta and her backup band, which included young women on bass and drums, also performed a cover of Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker," doubling the rock quotient in the famous rock classic
(source)
BY DENISE NEIL
The Wichita Eagle
Adam Lambert, like many successful "American Idol" alums, draws a diverse audience to his shows, and Friday's sold-out crowd of 2,000 at the Cotillion was one of them.
Tweens, teens and 20-somethings crowded shoulder-to-shoulder on the packed Cotillion floor with moms and dads propping small children on their shoulders and young gay couples holding hands. Middle-aged couples and senior citizens well into their 80s stationed themselves at the tables circling the floors. KAKE-Channel 10 anchor and self-professed "Glambert" Susan Peters stood on a chair with her camera, trying to get a better look at the singer.
Lambert, 28, the second-place finisher but arguably most popular constant from "American Idol's" eighth season, put on a synthesized, glittery, sexually charged show that appeared to please the fans he attracted.
Lambert, known for his glam stage presence, costume changes, soaring high notes and stylized pop, performed most of the songs from his debut album, "For Your Entertainment," including radio hits "Whataya Want From Me" and "If I Had You," plus a couple of covers he personalized when he appeared on "Idol."
The set included several costume changes, each one accented with top hats, long coats, fur collars or dramatic feathers. His signature heavy black eye makeup and all-over body glitter was visible even from the back of the venue, and his floppy-on-one-side hairstyle was one of his best accessories.
The show, part pop concert, part music theater, was colorful, modern and never dull. Lambert made the most of the Cotillion's small stage, crowding on a full band, a set of stairs and four backup dancers, who gyrated in sync with their glamorous leader as a laser show projected colorful spears of light above the crowd.
Highlights of the show were Lambert's upbeat rock/pop songs, including "Fever," during which Lambert showed off his dance skills, and an end-of-the-show performance of his single "If I Had You," which was energetic, fun and showy.
His full voice and range was showcased during a performance of his single "Soaked," an orchestral ballad that ended a slowed-down portion of the show that also included an acoustic version of "Whataya Want From Me."
His Middle-Eastern-influenced rendition of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" was another highlight. You almost wouldn't recognize the song if not for the lyrics, and for the fact that Lambert performed his version during his "Idol" run. And the crowd loved his encore cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World."
Lambert's fellow Season 8 finalist, Allison Iraheta, she of the red-streaked hair and rocking raspy voice, opened the show with a 40-minute set that included several singles off her album "Just Like You," including "Don't Waste the Pretty," "Scars," and "Friday I'll Be Over U."
Wearing a tight-fitting dress with black boots and tights, 18-year-old Iraheta and her backup band, which included young women on bass and drums, also performed a cover of Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker," doubling the rock quotient in the famous rock classic
(source)