Stronger Than Music: The STM Experience: Adam Lambert's "Glam Nation Tour" Live in Manila

I was lucky enough to have been able to watch one of this year's best-selling concerts! Courtesy of my friend's friend, who happens to be working with the concert's production team, we were able to get hold of VVIP tickets to Adam Lambert's "Glam Nation Tour" at the Mall of Asia Open Grounds last 10.10.10 (October 10, 2010). This is another "dream concert" for me so I was very excited to go.

We arrived at the venue at exactly 8pm. No problem though, coz concerts in the Philippines rarely start on time. (Haha!) The opening act Paraluman already up the stage at 8pm and performed for 30 minutes. When they finished their set, a playlist consisting of current pop music was played to include Lady GaGa's "Bad Romance", Ke$ha's "Take It Off" and Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream". The audience never got bored waiting for Adam Lambert's set which didn't start until 9:30pm. While preparing the stage for Lambert's set, his picture suddenly flashed on the LCD and the audience screamed!

The concert was divided into three parts which Adam describes: “In the beginning, it is mysterious, seductive and a little bit dark. And then the middle section is very vulnerable, strip down, acoustic arrangement, very honest. And the last one is very over the top and fun and lots of dancing.”

When Adam finally went up the stage at 9:30pm, the concert grounds with 20,000 people went wild! The concert started with a medley of "VooDoo", "For Your Entertainment", "Down the Rabbit Hole" and a rendition of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". People started to get off their seats and dance. Very nice crowd, I should say. Very participative. After the number, Adam uttered these words: "Finally, a concert in Manila! Finally in the Philippines!" which received a loud response from the audience. Though I think the most memorable moment during this part of the concert was when Lambert kissed, yes, kissed (in the lips) his bandmate-boyfriend who happens to be the same person he kissed during his controversial performance at the American Music Awards. I believe it was during his performance of "Fever" which is by the way, a song written by Lady GaGa.

The second part of the concert includes some of Adam's slow tempo tempo songs like "Soaked", "Aftermath" "Broken Open", "Sleepwalker" and the fan favorite "Whataya Want From Me" in acoustic style! It was very heart-warming. Adam feeling each and every song he's singing. Definitely sang from his heart.

Come third part of the concert, the energy was already up the ceiling and when Lambert started singing "Strut" the audience had no choice but stand up and dance. The best part I should was the ending song when he started to perform the mega hit "If I Had You". Audience sang their hearts out and were literally jumping in excitement, me included. There was also an encore song, which is his signature AI song, "Mad World".

Overall, I would say that this is definitely the best way to celebrate 10.10.10 and I surely had a blast. It was a night of pure glam rock, dancing, having fun and letting it all out! Truly one memorable concert for me.

Thank you very much, Mr. Adam Lambert! Mahal ka namin!