Adam Lambert at Roundhouse

17 years after finishing as runner-up on American Idol, Adam Lambert has long since outgrown the television competition that first introduced him to the world. Just 11 days after releasing his latest album, ADAM, Lambert arrives at London’s Roundhouse with the confidence of an artist who knows exactly who he is. From the moment he steps onstage, the room belongs to him.

Opening with the hauntingly elegant Porcelain, Lambert immediately showcases the album’s gothic-pop identity, pairing soaring vocals with irresistibly dark, beat-driven production. Rather than performing the record front to back, he shuffles the running order, allowing each song to stand on its own merits. Eat U Alive follows, its pounding rhythm and dramatic hooks reminding the audience that this is a performer made for the stage. Adam Lambert has never been one to arrive quietly, and he isn’t about to start now.

Conversation is kept to a minimum throughout; those hoping for lengthy anecdotes have come to the wrong show. Instead, Lambert lets the music do the talking. Mid-set, as lighting shifts from icy blues to warm pink, the singer finally pauses to address the crowd, exuding his trademark charisma and infectious enthusiasm. The audience, however, never quite matches the energy. At times frustratingly reserved, they rarely reflect the electricity unfolding onstage, denying the sense of communal release that songs this big demand. Lambert himself remains unfazed, acknowledging how remarkable it is that so many fans already know every word despite the album being released so recently.

Older favourites slot seamlessly into the set, with For Your Entertainment arriving alongside a sheepish acknowledgement of “you might know this one”. The crowd’s response says it all: “Of course we do.” Alongside familiar material, ADAM marks a distinct evolution. While the middle section briefly loses momentum, it paves the way for the emotional centrepiece of the evening. Am I OK emerges as an undeniable highlight. Heartbreaking and exquisitely delivered, it possesses the grandeur of a West End showstopper, allowing Lambert’s theatrical nature to flourish. Every lyric lands with devastating sincerity, demonstrating that beneath the glamour lies striking vulnerability.

An encore of 2009 breakthrough hit Whataya Want From Me provides the perfect full-circle ending to a night celebrating not only a remarkable new record, but a singer still pushing himself forward. While the crowd doesn’t quite provide the spark needed to lift the evening into something truly unforgettable, Lambert leaves little doubt that he is entering his most confident chapter yet as he forges his own path as an independent artist.

Katherine Parry
Photos: LA Benoit

For further information and future events, visit Adam Lambert’s website here.

Watch the video for Eat U Alive here: