Kissing off pop police

Cameron Adams
Herald Sun, 20 October 2010

Palais Theatre, 19 October 2010

 LAST week US pop star Adam Lambert had to tone down his concert for conservative Malaysia.

Last night at his sellout Palais show the offending moment – a quick man-on man kiss with his bassist – was wildly applauded.

Lambert was among his people – the open-minded.

While the gay singer is often labeled with euphemisms like ‘‘flamboyant’’ and ‘‘camp’’, he embraces his theatrical side in a way his heroes like Boy George and David Bowie used to before pop got beige.

He’s a misfit who’s managed to make it big in the usually safe world of pop.

What Lambert’s Glam Nation tour lacked in hits – he’s only had one album – he makes up in sheer energy and old school vocal power.

Single Whataya Want From Me was performed in acoustic mode while Soaked (written by Muse’s Matt Bellamy) provided plenty of drama.

As a nod to his American Idol days, Lambert covered Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire, Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love and Tears for Fears’ Mad World.

Lambert, like his pal Lady Gaga, reminds you how good pop stars can be when they really make an effort.