Adam Lambert, shiny and fab for Gridlock 2009 -- with a flashback to his Upright Cabaret gig on New Year's Eve 2008

OK, so, Adam Lambert's set at the Gridlock show on New Year's Eve at Paramount Pictures wasn't televised, but judging by the number of YouTube clips available, that didn't really matter.

Adam, done up all "shiny and fabulous," sang 10 songs from his new album -- the first time, he says, they did so many tunes from "For Your Entertainment." The finale? Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," which was a crowd pleaser when he was on "American Idol."

What a difference a year makes? Lambert revealed, according to the L.A. Times review, that on New Year's Eve 2008 he had also performed -- as part of a cabaret just down the road on La Cienega Boulevard. (Check out that video, embedded after the jump.)

"I sang at midnight like I'm doing tonight," he reminisced. "Only there's a couple more people at this venue."

[Update, 1:09 p.m.: Want to read the Los Angeles Times' review of the concert? Click here.]

Above, you'll see and hear Adam coming out of "Strut" and leading into "Sure Fire Winners." YouTube user scottyyjames has another clip up on the site (We couldn't embed it -- Adam, child, you got a mouth on you!) and he's not the only one.

After the jump, and after the video of Adam's New Year's Eve 2008 gig, and if you're not exhausted, well -- check out his multiple-microphones-in-the-face interview from before the Gridlock show.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Adam Lambert performs at the Gridlock event New Year's Eve 2009 in Los Angeles. Photo credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

Looks as if the Ministry of Gossip is a little obsessed with Adam Lambert:

Adam Lambert manages no controversy, mucho swag at Z100 Jingle Ball

Barbara Walters' '10 Most Fascinating People of 2009': observations, and a poll

PREACH IT! Just for you, ABC, a post about Adam Lambert that is Totally Not Gay

[UPDATED] 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' cancel Adam Lambert

'The View' breaks down Adam Lambert's AMA performance [VIDEO]

Adam Lambert performs 'Whataya Want From Me' on Letterman's show. World does not end.

Adam Lambert on 'The Early Show' -- no apologies, and a visit from Mom [VIDEO]

 Adam Lambert was 'really in the moment' when he kissed a guy on the AMAs

Adam Lambert at the AMAs: Could we see this performance coming?

Poll: Adam Lambert's AMA performance: provocative or porn?

Want the headlines? Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Facebook and Twitter(we're @LATcelebs on Twitter).  We just got a new address on Facebook -- find us at facebook.com/ministryofgossip.

Comments

[Debbie C]

Big venue or small, Adam knows how to please the crowds. Just an ironic note here, if I'm remembering my facts straight, the song "What's Going On" he sang at the Upright was written by Linda Perry and she penned "A Loaded Smile" on his debut album. He also sang "Come Home" by Ryan Tedder at the Upright and Ryan penned "Sleepwalker" for Adam's album. What comes around goes around. He deserves all the success that comes to him.

[CDZ from the Ministry]

@Debbie C -- interesting stuff regarding the writing credits. I'll have to look into that! Thx // Christie D'Zurilla

[Mel]

Dang, it looks like he just tore up that stage on NYE. Point me to where the tickets are being sold for that guys tour, I'm so there.

[HF]

Did any journalists actually attend his performance and write a review? I've seen fan footage on YouTube and Adam was mind-blowing, but would love to read a "professional" critique.

[Shirley]

There are way better Youtube clips than the one you chose. Especially check out Adam performing the mesmerizing "Soaked" written by Muse.

[CDZ from the Ministry]

@HF -- Christie D'Zurilla here from the Ministry -- yes, the L.A. Times reviewed the show, and that article is linked out of this post.

Here's the link: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-adam-lambert2-2010jan02,0,7549429.story

and @Shirley, I agree that there are better clips online -- that's why I linked extensively to YouTube. Here at MOG, we don't embed footage that includes profanity, and the best clip I saw included a big ol' cuss word, which actually sounded funny coming from Adam's mouth!

[Anita]

Great performer and great guy. Everyone should listen if they haven't.

[CDZ from the Ministry]

@HF and others -- I made the link to the review more clear in the post. Thanks for swinging by! I appreciate the input.

/cdz

[JLM]

Adam rocked it!! I can't wait for Adam to go on tour. He is the best live performing artist around!! The guy has pipes like no other and rocks it 110%

[nathan]

NON PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUE from the front rows and backstage at GRIDLOCK. LOVE ME SOME ADAM!
-Looked incredible and primed for New Years glitter in an elegant long jacket, silver grey tie and patent leather boots.
-Was friendly and very lighthearted to all those lucky enough to meet him. Blew many air kisses to keep his glitter make up fresh!
-Interacted frequently with the audience and was in full form with sexy (not sexual) dance moves coordinated with his songs.
-Brought some laughter adding a flask to go along with his song.
-Sang full force on every single song, without a break. The audience was stunned with his glorious SOAKED. It was pure ethereal magic.
-Band mates, Tommy, Monte and Lisa came out back stage and interacted and were very friendly. Longineu was enjoying his beer, Lisa appeared to have a date, Monte mentioned his wife helps him with his wardrobe and Tommy was eyeing (and even kissing) several of the young ladies.
-Adams old band Citizen Vein was even there joining in the festivities, as was Adams brother Neil, friend Danielle and mom Lela.

[CDZ from the Ministry]

@celtcwrtr -- Hey, CDZ here again from the Ministry ... I know you don't see your comment posted, but that's because, as I put in comments, and as is also in the terms of service, we don't publish profanity -- including with ast*risks breaking up the words. It isn't a "Chicago" thing, it's an L.A. Times thing, and we've been doing it this way for years. Yes, it seems anachronistic to some online, but just because all the other kids are doing it ... well, you know.

We review profanity on a case-by-case basis, and figure that in a case like this, where it's not crucial that we show THAT clip with THAT word in it, we'll keep our SFW reputation.

I too cuss like a sailor IRL, but on this blog, and in my other LAT work, I don't. It's not censorship but rather our standards.

If I truly *need* the F bomb to get my point across, then I probably need to work harder on the caliber of my writing.

IMO, profanity is easy -- being clever takes work.

//cdz

[celtcwrtr]

@cdz

i didn't realize... i've posted on power's blog utilizing the same asterisk word that was submitted here. and it was published. oops.

as a multi-generation native of southern california, i still find the standard archaic and unrealistic - and your comment regarding lambert's language in his performance in this article patronizing and judgmental.

otherwise, what was the point in even mentioning it? it had absolutely nothing to do with the excellence of his talent. that sort of verbiage has been utilized by musicians between songs for eons (a particular favorite was a nice succinct profane story by joni mitchell around '79, and as i am sure you are aware she is no slouch as a wordsmith), so it bares the question... why draw attention to lambert's usage of profanity in his concert?

there was absolutely no reason, except as a roundabout attempt to censor his freedom of expression in performance.

[CDZ from the Ministry]

@celtcwriter Actually, the only reason I mentioned "you got a mouth on you" was by way of explaining why I was *not* embedding one specific video out of many that were available. If you hang around MOG for a while, you'll see we don't take ourselves too seriously. Far from being patronizing, I was joking.

To say I'm censoring Adam as an artist because I choose not to embed a video in which he cusses -- hmm. If you were to look at this blog's overall coverage of Adam Lambert, I doubt you'd think we're censoring anything about him. In following Adam since he was on "Idol," including spending lots of time with older videos from before "AI," I've not found profanity to be central to his artistic vision.

Regarding disparities between what's approved on Pop & Hiss and what's OK'd here, different editors moderate comments on different blogs, and we're all only human. Sometimes terms that I say we "never" use do sneak in -- with the multitude of comments we get, perfection is hard to attain. If you search for four-letter words on this site, you WILL find them. Doesn't change my standards moving forward.

Also, given MOG's subject matter, which often swings to the lewd, crude and/or naked, being strict about cussing keeps the place nicer in general. You might be shocked at the REALLY profane things people submit -- horrible, hateful stuff (often misspelled too, which just makes me laugh). Personally, I'd rather by example encourage thoughtful commentary, like what you just submitted, than muck up the place with lowest common denominator junk. It's my own take on the "broken window" theory.

I simply don't see how allowing profanity would improve things. Your mileage may vary. Thanks for your comments too, even the one I didn't click live.

//cdz

[Kate]

My oh my, look at what one year can do to someone's! He looks happy singing for 50 or 5,000 and in his element. He is such an adorable talented guy. I really hope he has a long successful career.

[Adam Phan From Philly]

If you want to read a really good review of Adam and the band on NYE, go to the Canadian Rockstar Weekly at:

http://www.rockstarweekly.com/content/view/1352/204/

Their critic was at the performance.

[CDZ from the Ministry]

@Adam Phan from Philly -- thanks for the link. //cdz

[Anastasia]

I wish i could have been there! I can't wait to see Adam when he tours. It is going to be amazing. He always looks so gorgeous, perfection from head to toe.