Review: Adam Lambert

Roundhouse – Chalk Farm Road, Chalk Farm, London, NW1 8EH

Adam Lambert brought his ADAM album launch to London for his only UK concert of the tour, and the sold out Roundhouse got one seriously amazing night in return. With huge vocals, dramatic production, new tracks, fan favourites and enough theatrical star power to fill the room several times over, Adam delivered a show that proved exactly why he remained one of pop’s most spectacular live performers.

A Bold New Chapter

Adam was here to celebrate ADAM, his sixth studio album, and the new material gave the evening a distinctly fresh feel. Released alongside the explosive single Eat U Alive, the album marked the beginning of a bold new chapter for the singer, bringing together soaring vocals, glossy pop production and a strong nod to the electronica and industrial pop of the 1990s and early 2000s. It felt quote different from what had come before, but still unmistakably Adam Lambert.

That combination was what made the show work so well. There were moments that felt huge and dramatic with anthemic tracks built for the biggest stage imaginable, and then there were those quieter moments where everything dropped back and the focus fell entirely on Adam’s voice. And what a voice it was.

Any review of Adam Lambert in London would gush about his vocals. Honestly, no one sings like Adam Lambert. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he is one of the finest vocalists of his generation. The man could go from a soft, controlled, vulnerable vocal to a full scale, spine tingling rockstar note without appearing to break a sweat, and the Roundhouse was treated to one jaw dropping vocal performance after another. Whether he was powering through a new track or taking on one of his biggest fan favourites, there was a confidence and control to his singing that made it very easy to understand why he’d become one of the most respected vocalists of his generation.

New Songs and Classics

The new songs fitted beautifully into the set. Eat U ALIVE immediately made its presence known, while SANITY and AM I OK? showed off the different sides of ADAM. RAT CITY, PORCELAIN and the Prince-esque NECKLACE were also highlights. Adam was clearly having fun with this new era, leaning into the theatricality, the drama and the slightly darker electronic influences without losing the big melodies that had always been such an important part of his music. We even had a seductive cover of Nine Inch Nails classic, Closer.

Then there were the classic songs fans had been waiting for. For Your Entertainment brought a huge reaction from the crowd, If I Had You, Runnin’ and Ghost Town reminded everyone just how strong Adam’s back catalogue is. These were songs that had travelled with fans for years, and hearing them performed in a packed Roundhouse gave them a fresh burst of life. Of course, the night ended with a tremendous rendition of Whataya Want From Me with the crowd singing every word back to him. 

The setlist was carefully put together, moving between new material and familiar favourites without ever feeling like one was competing with the other. Instead, the older songs helped show just how far Adam had come, while the new tracks made it clear that he wasn’t simply looking backwards. This was a celebration of where he was then.

A Natural Showman

Adam’s career had taken him through some pretty extraordinary places. From his solo success to becoming the frontman of legendary rock band Queen, he had spent years performing on some of the biggest stages in the world. Yet there was something particularly exciting about seeing him in a venue like the Roundhouse. The setting felt close enough to make the performance feel personal, while still giving him room to deliver the theatrical spectacle that came so naturally to him.

And theatrical was definitely the word. Adam had never been an artist who simply walked onto a stage, sang a few songs and headed home. There was a sense of occasion to his performances, with every look, movement and vocal moment contributing to the overall show. He understood that pop concerts should be fun. They should be dramatic. They should give people something to talk about on the way home.

A Crowd of Glamberts

The Roundhouse was packed, and the atmosphere was electric as fans sang along, danced and threw themselves into every moment. There was a real sense of excitement around the new album, but there was also the familiarity that came with watching an artist who had built such a loyal following over the years. People knew these songs. They knew these moments. They knew exactly when to lose their minds.

Adam, meanwhile, looked completely at home. Whether he was delivering an enormous vocal moment, working the stage or allowing a song to breathe, he had the confidence of someone who knew exactly what he wanted this show to be. There was no need to prove anything. He simply got on with doing what he did best, which was singing incredibly well and putting on one hell of a performance.

What made the night particularly enjoyable was the balance. ADAM brought something new and exciting, but the set still gave fans the songs they had come to hear. The production felt modern, the performances were suitably dramatic and the music moved between pop, rock, disco and electronic influences with ease.

A Vocal Masterclass

Ultimately, this was a show built around that incredible voice. Adam Lambert can sing. Really sing. He has the kind of voice that made a packed venue go quiet for a second because everyone was too busy listening to the note being held in front of them. Then, moments later, the whole place was back on its feet, singing along to a massive pop anthem. A vocal chameleon, he seemed equally at home singing rock, pop, R&B, funk and musical theatre styles. It was truly impressive to hear.

That contrast was what made the concert so enjoyable. There was spectacle, but there was also genuine musical talent at the centre of it. There was the excitement of a new album, but there was also the comfort of songs fans had loved for years. There were huge, theatrical highs and moments where Adam didn’t need much more than a microphone and that astonishing voice.

Glamberts

There was also a lovely feeling of community around the whole evening, and it started long before Adam even stepped onto the stage. Adam’s fans, affectionately known as Glamberts, were famously friendly, and the queue outside the Roundhouse quickly turned into its own little pre concert gathering. People chatted to complete strangers, swapped stories about previous shows and sang together while they waited to get inside. By the time the doors opened, it already felt as though the audience had arrived as one big group of friends, even if many of them had only just met.

That warmth carried straight into the venue. Glamberts turned up for the music and for each other, and there was a real sense of excitement, affection and shared appreciation throughout the night. The crowd knew the words, knew the songs and was more than ready to give Adam the welcome he deserved. With the Roundhouse sold out, that connection between performer and audience was impossible to miss.

Adam Lambert Live Review

Adam Lambert’s only UK concert of the ADAM album launch tour was everything fans could have hoped for. The new music brought something fresh to the set, the classic hits gave the crowd the moments they’d been waiting for and Adam’s extraordinary vocals held the whole thing together. Add in the theatrical production, the packed Roundhouse and the unmistakable sense of community among the Glamberts, and the result was a concert that felt both spectacular and genuinely personal. Adam Lambert launched his new album in spectacular fashion and gave his fans an amazing night out in London.

Review of Adam Lambert at Roundhouse London – 5 stars