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bond_girlSo! This is a long story of my Glamnation experience (or how I went to Adam Lambert's concert in Hammond, Indiana). Think Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle meets Jersey Shore meets American Idol auditions - if that's your thing, read along!
The roadtrip started with an excellent omen. Like Harold and Kumar, we randomly went to White Castle. Somewhere dusty and suncrazed in Indiana, on the spur of the moment, just because we like U-turns and ironic experiences. My craving for tiny cheeseburgers came with a helping of a crazy, loud biker lady. In the parking lot, we saw a sweet grandma getting out of a car with a license plate: TWINK 1. We should have known crazy was the name of the game for the day.
Then, we arrived to the Horseshoe Casino on Lake Michigan. The marina was all white with boats and the casino was the adult Disneyland, with a ding-ding of slot machines, sparkly candelabras, magical music luring you to stay and people believing in fairies.
My advice to all those who will go to the Glamnation tour: step up your game and go all out or you'd feel under-dressed for the occassion. Glamberts will wear handmade t-shirts with cut-outs of Adam's various body parts; fabulous gay boys will prance around, fabulous in skinny tall boots and eyeliner; model types in insane heels will laugh like horses, flip their always raven hair and have coke rings under their noses; your creepy next door neighbors will be there, being creepy with a sudden Lambert mohawk. EVERYONE WILL STARE AT EVERYONE LIKE AT THE ZOO.
In the first rush to the general admission pit, keep to your right, Adam's left, or then center. Apart from the final two songs, he favored that side.
As for the swag, there's only one t-shirt for girls, fluo pink on emerald green. I didn't care for the color scheme, so I had to get a regular tee, azure blue with a mirror ball and a line "Don't trip off the glitz". It's skinny and discreet enough to be chic rather than fangirly. Wore it with a short white skirt to the office for a casual Friday today :)) Otherwise, a large selection of typical black tees with Adam's face or name featured prominently. You'll find your happiness.
We found our happiness in the mosh pit, center-stage, next to a fierce boy in zippered pants and his mom. They were a great company, knew lyrics to all songs, and shared our lulz at the usual text messaging board that was getting censored. "I need come love" was quickly replaced with "I need some love". Someone behind the curtain is getting paid to filter those out! They knew some lady (wearing her bathroom curtain I almost kid you not) in front of them from the AI tour and they were waiting for her to start shaking uncontrollably and scream that Adam was a rock god, as apparently, she did every time.
After shopping and bonding, and half-way through Orianthi's peppy performance, we lived through a Jersey Shore episode. The one with the punching.
The worst people at the concert are always the ones who don't belong there. Frat boys and one Snookie-lookalike who were staggering drunk, kicking everyone's shins, pulling girls' hair and being in everyone's face the most they could get. We all were too busy dodging their beer and feet and grabby hands for most of Orianthi as they were just one warm body row down from us. NOT COOL.
So, at some point, J loses his and tells them to move away anywhere but here. One of these guys grabs J by his neck and starts posturing and J goes all capslock into his face, "DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT WITH ME?" Things start happening fast. I silently freak out. My new fierce friend slinks away to get security. His mom grabs my hand.
For reasons that perhaps only clear to people with testosterone, the guy actually instantly backs down and soon yanks the hair of a very wrong person, a sturdy lady who doesn't feel like a victim at all today. Sorry, Orianthi, you were totally upstaged.
This lady goes for the guy's neck and face and you should have seen the floor clear out in a stampede to give them fighting space. Security arrives, flashlights blazing, just in time to save the guy from deservedly getting maimed for life and to have no doubt as to whether escort the fratpack out.
After this excitement, our Glamnation experience smooths out to a bliss. Orianthi was fantastic, very rock chic chick, and if that's your thing, I intensely recommend. Allison wasn't there bc the venue was 21+.
I know, I know, I should start speaking about Adam. Fine! But I warn you, I have opinions.
I was somehow expecting him to look older but pixels lie! He comes across much younger from up close. More gorgeous than you'd expect and very much in control - of the show and of the crowd. Lasting only an hour, it's a tight performance without any chance for you to lose focus. With his tour, you feel that you can go to his concert half a dozen times and you still won't be bored. There are many bright, voodoo-glitter costumes and the visual art that goes in the background is neat; think James Bond credits. The quality of his voice is SICK, some notes just make you shiver. Freckles all over his shoulders! (yes, we were that close!)
My favorite moments were Ring of Fire (much better than the AI version), Strut (great choreography), and then the very last two, Mad World (that he sped up) and Whole Lotta Love (that he slowed down pornographically - if you watch nothing else, watch this youtube! the temperature in the audience was feverish and burning up!)
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It was one of the better live concerts I've been to, and I've been to plenty, with bigger name artists disappointing. My only deep thought was that if Adam's ambition is the real A-list, he needs to step it up even more. More interaction with the crowd, more dancing moves from him, more excellent original material - otherwise, his vocals were perfection and he looked glorious. This was like watching someone undoubtedly incredibly talented but not entirely sleek and professional yet - I am not dissing him as I loved every second of Glamnation, I just believe that he can be made into a star of a higher caliber but at this point, he needs professional help to make this leap.
One of the best ingredients in Adam's martini were the fans. You can call Glamberts all you want, they are sweet, enthusiastic and love to shake their booty. A lurker's thank you to everyone I met!
After the concert, we wandered around the casino and ogled its denizens. Though the odds are best with roulette, we didn't care for $25 min bet and so fluffed about with slot machines. These gambling masterminds are clever - the place feels just like a hotel that you can check into but never want to leave. The music has a special, Disney-magical sirene note that you just want to bottle in.
Then, I came to my pet Glamberts in the office today and they squeeed all over my stories about Adam's crotch, my t-shirt and youtubes. The other half of my colleagues silently and homophobically judged and sneered while cranking up the country music. Business as usual.
♥
brb later tonight!
The roadtrip started with an excellent omen. Like Harold and Kumar, we randomly went to White Castle. Somewhere dusty and suncrazed in Indiana, on the spur of the moment, just because we like U-turns and ironic experiences. My craving for tiny cheeseburgers came with a helping of a crazy, loud biker lady. In the parking lot, we saw a sweet grandma getting out of a car with a license plate: TWINK 1. We should have known crazy was the name of the game for the day.
Then, we arrived to the Horseshoe Casino on Lake Michigan. The marina was all white with boats and the casino was the adult Disneyland, with a ding-ding of slot machines, sparkly candelabras, magical music luring you to stay and people believing in fairies.
My advice to all those who will go to the Glamnation tour: step up your game and go all out or you'd feel under-dressed for the occassion. Glamberts will wear handmade t-shirts with cut-outs of Adam's various body parts; fabulous gay boys will prance around, fabulous in skinny tall boots and eyeliner; model types in insane heels will laugh like horses, flip their always raven hair and have coke rings under their noses; your creepy next door neighbors will be there, being creepy with a sudden Lambert mohawk. EVERYONE WILL STARE AT EVERYONE LIKE AT THE ZOO.
In the first rush to the general admission pit, keep to your right, Adam's left, or then center. Apart from the final two songs, he favored that side.
As for the swag, there's only one t-shirt for girls, fluo pink on emerald green. I didn't care for the color scheme, so I had to get a regular tee, azure blue with a mirror ball and a line "Don't trip off the glitz". It's skinny and discreet enough to be chic rather than fangirly. Wore it with a short white skirt to the office for a casual Friday today :)) Otherwise, a large selection of typical black tees with Adam's face or name featured prominently. You'll find your happiness.
We found our happiness in the mosh pit, center-stage, next to a fierce boy in zippered pants and his mom. They were a great company, knew lyrics to all songs, and shared our lulz at the usual text messaging board that was getting censored. "I need come love" was quickly replaced with "I need some love". Someone behind the curtain is getting paid to filter those out! They knew some lady (wearing her bathroom curtain I almost kid you not) in front of them from the AI tour and they were waiting for her to start shaking uncontrollably and scream that Adam was a rock god, as apparently, she did every time.
After shopping and bonding, and half-way through Orianthi's peppy performance, we lived through a Jersey Shore episode. The one with the punching.
The worst people at the concert are always the ones who don't belong there. Frat boys and one Snookie-lookalike who were staggering drunk, kicking everyone's shins, pulling girls' hair and being in everyone's face the most they could get. We all were too busy dodging their beer and feet and grabby hands for most of Orianthi as they were just one warm body row down from us. NOT COOL.
So, at some point, J loses his and tells them to move away anywhere but here. One of these guys grabs J by his neck and starts posturing and J goes all capslock into his face, "DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT WITH ME?" Things start happening fast. I silently freak out. My new fierce friend slinks away to get security. His mom grabs my hand.
For reasons that perhaps only clear to people with testosterone, the guy actually instantly backs down and soon yanks the hair of a very wrong person, a sturdy lady who doesn't feel like a victim at all today. Sorry, Orianthi, you were totally upstaged.
This lady goes for the guy's neck and face and you should have seen the floor clear out in a stampede to give them fighting space. Security arrives, flashlights blazing, just in time to save the guy from deservedly getting maimed for life and to have no doubt as to whether escort the fratpack out.
After this excitement, our Glamnation experience smooths out to a bliss. Orianthi was fantastic, very rock chic chick, and if that's your thing, I intensely recommend. Allison wasn't there bc the venue was 21+.
I know, I know, I should start speaking about Adam. Fine! But I warn you, I have opinions.
I was somehow expecting him to look older but pixels lie! He comes across much younger from up close. More gorgeous than you'd expect and very much in control - of the show and of the crowd. Lasting only an hour, it's a tight performance without any chance for you to lose focus. With his tour, you feel that you can go to his concert half a dozen times and you still won't be bored. There are many bright, voodoo-glitter costumes and the visual art that goes in the background is neat; think James Bond credits. The quality of his voice is SICK, some notes just make you shiver. Freckles all over his shoulders! (yes, we were that close!)
My favorite moments were Ring of Fire (much better than the AI version), Strut (great choreography), and then the very last two, Mad World (that he sped up) and Whole Lotta Love (that he slowed down pornographically - if you watch nothing else, watch this youtube! the temperature in the audience was feverish and burning up!)
It was one of the better live concerts I've been to, and I've been to plenty, with bigger name artists disappointing. My only deep thought was that if Adam's ambition is the real A-list, he needs to step it up even more. More interaction with the crowd, more dancing moves from him, more excellent original material - otherwise, his vocals were perfection and he looked glorious. This was like watching someone undoubtedly incredibly talented but not entirely sleek and professional yet - I am not dissing him as I loved every second of Glamnation, I just believe that he can be made into a star of a higher caliber but at this point, he needs professional help to make this leap.
One of the best ingredients in Adam's martini were the fans. You can call Glamberts all you want, they are sweet, enthusiastic and love to shake their booty. A lurker's thank you to everyone I met!
After the concert, we wandered around the casino and ogled its denizens. Though the odds are best with roulette, we didn't care for $25 min bet and so fluffed about with slot machines. These gambling masterminds are clever - the place feels just like a hotel that you can check into but never want to leave. The music has a special, Disney-magical sirene note that you just want to bottle in.
Then, I came to my pet Glamberts in the office today and they squeeed all over my stories about Adam's crotch, my t-shirt and youtubes. The other half of my colleagues silently and homophobically judged and sneered while cranking up the country music. Business as usual.
♥
brb later tonight!
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no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 12:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 04:41 am (UTC)There is a lot of Tommy and Adam interaction, so you will enjoy this.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 02:18 pm (UTC)The dancers have grown on me! Now that their costumes aren't quite as distractingly hideous, I can appreciate what they add to the show. There were only three dancers when you saw him because his fourth was too young to perform at a casino show.
I have spent an inordinate amount of time planning my wardrobe for these two shows!
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 03:14 pm (UTC)He looks into the crowd a lot, and not just for a second bc he has to, it's like he likes to sing to someone. We got lucky bc my fabulous neighbor was rather tall and rather attractive and danced all the time, so we had Adam's attention from time to time :)))
Wardrobe: wear flats or Chucks though haha unless you are a natural on heels. The floor was filthy and you're on your feet a ton of time. Also, you can reassure your husband that there would be PLENTY of guys with their wives. He wouldn't be alone.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 01:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 04:51 am (UTC)Douchebags made it a unique experience :)) Husband earned brownie sex points for a long time to come :))
About Adam: exactly, it didn't bother me at all that it still felt a little bit smaller time than the big shots that his act resembles (Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Madonna, George Michael to an extent). He is a work of art in progress and I'm sure this side of business will naturally take care of itself.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 03:46 am (UTC)Gah about the drunken frat douches. They show up in the oddest of places, don't they?
Now about grandma and the TWINK 1 license plate...wth? ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 04:59 am (UTC)Grandma aka TWINK 1. I hope to god it means to appear bright, especially with merriment or that song about the star. Otherwise, she stole that car. It's just too sad to think of how many people have LOLed at her license plate behind her back. Obviously, she doesn't know anyone who could expand her vocabulary.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 07:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 03:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 03:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 03:33 pm (UTC)You know how I love people-watching and that was an Olympic event, as we queued to get in for half an hour.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 04:14 pm (UTC)He's not my favorite, true he definitely has the singing chops and stage presents though.
The most intriguing part is how your husband actually tolerated all of that glam. Mine wouldn't have stepped a toe in the door. Lol! Love it!
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 06:42 pm (UTC)Besides, J lived in France/Geneva for so long, his threshold for the fierce and the cabaret-style camp and the provocative is pretty high. He wouldn't like his or my ass grabbed for the sake of the art but otherwise, he's a good sport and it's hard to phase him. There were two boys kissing over to his side for the absolute ever while we were waiting, and he was all like 'aw look at just how sweet they are'. He absolutely refused to see John Mayer (while I'm still crying about it and he owes me), go figure. The bottom line is that he keeps surprising me :))
Your friend should get a ticket and go see Adam this summer/early fall. If she's a fan, she will be beyond pleased!
no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 06:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-19 06:59 pm (UTC)Вот тебе обе версии этой песни - [более трад с AI (http://www.mediafire.com/?yqnijz5jmie)] и [с этого шоу 6/17 (http://www.mediafire.com/?juk3wmjaymg)] (качество не очень, к сож). Что мне очень нравится, он на каждом живом шоу делает совершенный импров с этой песней на анкор. Я сейчас тусую по его комму, собираю live/acoustic mp3s.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-20 02:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-20 04:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-25 02:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-27 02:10 am (UTC)But yes, no to the ass-kicking because one is never sure how that ends. J says he ~SAW in the guy's eyes that there'd have been no real drive to fight, just posturing, and this was why he chose to escalate and end it there. *valuable insight into male psyche* I kind of felt bad for Orianthi in the end bc a major part of the crowd, front and center, was completely ignoring her last song or more.