I decided to write a little essay about how the concert has changed and developed since it started in June from my perspective as a stage director/audience member. Some of the changes are outstanding, some not so great, but always interesting.

I saw the show first at Hammond in June, and wrote a review for my local paper, read by many of you online. If you're interested, here's the link:
http://www.adamofficial.com/us/blog/glam-nation-review (it's been archived at the Journal & Courier, so you can't read it for free there any more). I was at the Indianapolis show on Tuesday of this week, as well.

The first thing that occured to me is that the pre-show goes on WAAAAAY too long. The crew can now make the changeover in sets in less than 10 minutes, so the rest of the time the crowd is just waiting. The pre-show music is well chosen, and builds well, but the crowd excitement reached its peak at "Don't Stop Believin'," where everybody was singing along and just jumping out of their skins. Then another pre-show song came on (Bilie Jean) and the energy started to dissipate. It built back up (mostly because of the sexy dancer in the audience on the terrace level at Clowes Hall), then dissipated again. By the time the remix of FYE started that they use as a "curtain warmer" (maybe 5 more songs later) this had happened 3 times, and the adrenaline was getting harder to pump up. THEN they REPEATED FYE!!!! I don't know if there was something going on backstage because of the filiming or what, but they need to cut at least 1/3 of that preshow, and put Don't Stop Believing at the end. This will keep the energy in the room so the audience can maintain it.

Of course, when Adam finally took stage, the place went nuts, and the first 1/3 of his set was so much better than it had been in Hammond. Adam has really loosened up and is so completely confident and happy on stage that it is amazing to see. His vocals have completely lost any tentativeness he had early in the tour, and he looks and sounds like a consummate professional having the time of his life.

In the acoustic part of the set, however, a couple of songs seem a little more rushed as the tour has progressed, particularly WWFM and, sadly, Aftermath. If Adam could just back off the tempi slightly in both those songs again, I think each would benefit. I particularly missed the true warmth and affection between Adam and Monte during their time alone on stage together during Aftermath, and think that song, in particular could be more moving and striking again. Other than that, Adam seems much more comfortable with the banter and his vocals were comletely on fire throughout the concert.

The last 1/3 of the set again, is loose, fun and vocally impeccable. Adam's dancing is less precise, but that's not at all a bad thing, it's allowed him to relax and it all becomes so comfortable for him. And his interaction with band and dancers is so fun and easy. He is obviously entirely in his element for the remainder of the set.

I love the changes to the encore, and don't miss Mad World, which was never my favorite in the GNT version anyway. TCB is the perfect choice for Adam to make and the performance of it is hot in the extreme.

Overall, the concert has improved dramatically from those first performances in early and mid-June as Adam has found and perfected his "footing" in all ways possible. I hope they know what a treat they are in for overseas, because folks, Hurricane Adam is heading your way, and he's cutting a very wide swath. Prepare yourselves!