I'm going to be away until February for a much-needed break with little access to the internet so I'm afraid there won't be any blog updates or videos for a while. To keep you entertained until then though, here's a playlist of some of my best edits:
It's going to be tough but at least this break is at a quiet time. I'm afraid I'll be missing Adam's birthday yet again, so please make sure you celebrate extra loudly, party extra hard and sparkle extra dazzlingly for me in my absence! Catch you in a few weeks' time. Thanks for all your support!
Here's my latest edit of one my favourite performances of Fever from the tour. I did actually end up with a fever after this concert as I'm sure did many others after braving the freak arctic conditions in London! It makes a welcome change to do a short edit after all the epic length encores.
Fever tends not to be one of the first videos I watch straight away after a concert. I think it's so dominated by the kissing that the rest of the singing and choreography unfortunately take a back seat. A lot of work has gone into all the performance aspects so it's a bit of a shame if people tune in only for the kissing. I feel it has become a touch contrived, lacking the fire of authenticity but I guess that's my own fault for watching a gazillion concert videos!
It starts off with Adam locking horns with Tommy before gripping his bass and going in for the kill. Those hip movements as he starts dancing are big and he's so playful and still so fierce. With a mischievous glint, he's tempting and daring us to be really naughty. Sound issues are evident as Adam taps his ear and mic but it doesn't impede the fun and he carries on smiling. I think he tends to compensate when there are sound issues by making sure he pushes his voice that little bit further. That first ringing high note in a bonus riff is a startling addition and it made me gasp, gave me a rush and made the crowd scream in approval. The climax of the song is equally impressive and he gets a bit jiggy with the mic. The surprise ending with the stratospheric high is amazing, so much so that we had to turn to each other as if needing confirmation of what had just happened. To the thrill of the audience, his voice was on top form and as so often happens on the last night of consecutive gigs, he went for it.
Seeing this live as opposed to a video was a whole different kettle of fish as Adam was magnificent. His movements were more amplified, much fuller and graceful yet sharp. It's also very different seeing his facial expressions in person. On the videos he looks super dramatic, doll-like even, but in person those expressions are very believeable. There were lots of smiles and here he was having fun being very cheeky and flirtatious, nudging and winking his way deeper into our affections.
Happy new year to you all! We've come such a long way since last year's Gridlock and I decided it was about time to do a sentimental post. You can listen to and watch my latest improved edit of Adam's LA Music Box performance of A Change Is Gonna Come and reflect on the journey of Adam and this song, and also our personal journeys that have run in parallel. It's an assured performance although not quite flawless towards the end. I think the serene look of accomplishment as he surveys the crowd after he finishes the song captures the mood perfectly.
Adam references both his earlier performances in his speech at the start, the angry Zodiac one spurred on after having been on the receiving end of homophobia, and the one performed during the AI finale. It could be said that they are all seminal moments in Adam's life, one paving the way for the next. I see that first one as giving him the fire and drive to unapologetically be himself and perform as he chooses and it's those bold, out-of-the-box choices that got us gripped in time for the second, completing the first full circle. I still wonder whether Simon Fuller's choice was influenced by that Zodiac performance. At the time, it was the biggest audience Adam had ever performed to on the most important night of his life. It was the platform that gave him the exposure required to build enough of a following to complete a sell-out international tour of 100+ dates, at the end of which came this second full-circle moment in the place where the circle started.
It's easy to see that it's a proud moment for Adam. A feeling of celebration and fulfilment pervades the performance in the way that it was felt when Adam got up on stage for his performance of Beth. Returning home after touring for months I think it only just hit him how far he has come. Unusually for him, Adam's speech touches on the political whereas he's shied away from it in the past. With increased confidence he's more comfortable talking about it and I think he realises he has made a difference, feeling the change as he connects it back to the other ACIGCs. I believe he's now accepted he'll inevitably be looked upon as a political figure and is perhaps on his way to stepping up to the challenge, knowing he can make a difference for the better. It's bittersweet having to say farewell to Glam Nation but I'm looking forward to the next phase and the excitement of not knowing what changes are gonna come.
