Live Review: Adam Lambert – 5th June 2023 – Royal Albert Hall, London, UK

Fresh from appearing on stage at the weekends pop-frenzied Mighty Hoopla festival as a guest of Beverly Knight to perform Tina Turners I Can’t Stand The Rain, Adam Lambert has taken some time out of his work fronting rock giant Queen to focus on his own solo material. The former American Idol turned pop icon was back in the capital on Monday night to deliver a powerful set for fans at the beautiful confines of the Royal Albert Hall.

Promoting his latest studio album, High Drama the timing couldn’t be more perfect for cracking the lid on Pride month as Lambert emerged on stage to a roaring applause, towering over his backing band in platforms and head to toe sparkle; a black glittering suit complete with sharply pointed shoulder pads and futuristic shades to perform opening number, For Your Entertainment; much to the appeal of fans that have been with him right from the start of his career.

Cover songs that have made up the latest offering from Lambert made up a good chunk of the set. An energetic performance of Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out For A Hero, Kings of Leons’ Sex On Fire and Sia’s Chandelier were given a camp gloss-over and showcased Lambert’s high energy stage presence and impeccable vocals (and also had some of his fans up on their feet and really going at it with the dance moves) while a stripped back version of Culture Clubs Do You Really Want To Hurt Me and a tribute to the late Tina Turner with I Can’t Stand The Rain sat confidently beside some of the American superstars early solo work from his debut album; notably a memorable rendition of one of his biggest hits, What Do You Want From Me.

The highlight moment, however came with his offering of Ghost Town: it’s western inspired structure and whistle hook transforming the regal Royal Albert Hall, which is famous for hosting classical events, into a pulsating nightclub and had everyone, regardless of age, up on their feet and dancing along to the singer as he prowled the iconic stage.

The show was a fitting one for the start of Pride month and additionally fitting for Lambert who is due to headline this year’s London Pride. Rainbow colours often shot through the venue in the form of lasers or in the visually spectacular backdrop of screens that curtained the back of the stage and complimented the likes of his cover of Cher’s Believe – with additional closing Muffin Man lyrics. And of course, an Adam Lambert show wouldn’t be complete without some Queen numbers, coming in the form of the more obscure Stone Cold Crazy and signature hit, Another One Bites The Dust; his effortless talent seeping through both tracks with vigour and flamboyance and serving as a reminder of why he has been enveloped into the Queen community with welcoming arms.

We’ve seen Lambert perform several times over the years – both as a solo artist and as the current front man of Queen – and something that has always left us speechless at every single one of his shows is the power and skill in his voice. It is seriously second to none in the current pop sphere. His ability to manipulate his voice and bend so effortlessly and powerfully around notes is something quite incredible to hear live along with a charismatic stage presence that comes so naturally to only the very biggest and brightest of musical superstars!

Setlist:
For Your Entertainment
Holding Out for a Hero (Bonnie Tyler cover)
If I Had You
Sex on Fire (Kings of Leon cover)
Never Close Our Eyes
Chandelier (Sia cover)
Love Don’t
West Coast (Lana Del Rey cover)
Stone Cold Crazy (Queen cover)
Another One Bites the Dust (Queen cover)
Superpower
Closer (Nine Inch Nails cover)
I Can’t Stand the Rain (Ann Peebles cover)
Overglow
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me (Culture Club cover)
Whataya Want From Me
Ghost Town
Believe (Cher cover)
The Original High
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (Sylvester cover)

Brendon Veevers

::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.