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(First posted at PlanetFierce.com as the 2nd in a series of regularly appearing Sunday columns)
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“I was on my best behavior, but it wasn’t fake.
That really was my best self.”
– Adam Lambert, about himself on Idol
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If given several hours alone with Adam Lambert in a locked hotel room – with good room service and better-er cocktails – I would actually want to spend the first twenty minutes discussing his natal Astrology Chart.
(The second twenty on Business Strategy, link below.)
For a self-professed “AstroGeek”, Adam Lambert is coy about AstroDetails.
When asked, he’s hedged about his birth time. He discusses Astrology with an odd Sun Sign bias, which keeps it superficial and vague.
Since he has to know only a full chart matters and that he’s given enough clues for other AstroGeeks to guess much of his, we must assume he wants privacy. And honor that. We’ll only discuss Adam’s personal chart to the extent he’s done so publicly.
That includes Moon in Aries and Libra Rising.
Placements – as we shall see – that have been important to his success. (And interestingly, in other forms and ways, show up often in charts of his fanbase.)
So, ignoring the crucial nuances, challenges, and realities a full chart brings, and taking a whole lotta liberties, we’re gonna break some rules, trash it up, and explore the delicious lessons of these placements. Because there is something in it for us all.
Feelings First
Astrologically, the Moon represents our feelings. Our deepest emotional pathways. How we innately react inside.
The Moon, symbolized by the Great Mother’s own crescent crown, also shows how we can “mother” and nurture ourselves.
Our Astro Moon reveals ways, things, moments, actions and situations that would make us feel good at a core level. Adam tells us he has Moon in Aries.
Aries is the sign of Self. The first sign of the Zodiac, fiery Aries shouts “I am here, I am Me, and this is good!”.
Aries is ruled by Mars. You wanna see Aries sing? Watch Sure Fire Winners. Especially the moves, the way he rides the energy.
Warrior Aries starts new things, stands up for Self – blissfully unaware that follow-up or others are necessary – and is keenly aware of one’s Real Identity. Moon in Aries emotionally equips one to go forth, initiate, be real, and unhesitatingly slice away anything stopping that primal drive.
Thus, innately, for Adam, it feels good to be his True Self. Authenticity nurtures. Newness is home base.
Sweet & Pretty
Libra Rising, on the other hand, means Adam is on a lifetime journey exploring Relationship with Others.
And his interactions with outside life will often be led by Venutian ways – valuing harmony, beauty, kindness, and relationships. And avoiding conflict.
Plus, Venus being on the Ascendant means she also rules his First House. Which is Aries own house, Mars’s natural home.
When Libra rules the First House, plain ole mathematics make Aries automatically rule the 7th House. Which just happens to be Libra’s own house. So in Adam’s chart, Mars is in charge of Venus’s natural home, and Venus is in charge of Mars’s.
All of which means exactly what you think it does: Adam Lambert celebrates Mars and Venus at the same time. Baby clothes of leather and lace, he was born valuing the full range of that energetic diversity.
Because Aries – ruled by Mars – and Libra – ruled by Venus – are polar opposites. Together they form a complete energetic spectrum. To understand Astrology – and Adam, and one’s own chart – one must first understand spectrums.
Opposites Are Not Unattached
The Zodiac Wheel is composed of 12 arenas of energy called Houses. Connect each house to its seeming polar opposite on the other side of the circle – and you have a bigger reality, two divergent energies making a whole.
Thus, the 12 houses of the Wheel can also be viewed as 6 energetic spectrums.
The Aries-Libra spectrum represents the most basic aspect of incarnation: Self and Others. Aries is all about Self. Libra is all about Others.
Libra Rising helps give Adam his innate desire to help others. Give people tips. Put others first.
You see Libra Rising in how he leads public interactions with respect and kindness. As well as his diplomacy, openness to others’ ideas, and joy in collaboration. An Air Sign, it’s also part of his love of intellect, thinking, words, and ideas.
Moon in Aries keeps him from getting lost in AirHead OtherLand. He can listen, learn, experience, and then – instinctively – know what’s right for him, and take action.
Prominent Libra placements without the balancing gift of prominent Aries placements mean actions may never happen. And a lifetime of Self asking Self “Whataya Want From Me?” is continually answered with some version of “Who Are You?” and/or “Whatever They Want From Me”.
Aries may go it alone, but not get lonely. Aries has to be true and start new things. The opinion of others is simply not of concern to Aries.
While Libra values balance, it can in fact, be so hungry for the company of others, and so eager to prevent discord, it remains perpetually lonely because it never establishes the essential foundation of relationship: Authentic Self.
Without a True Self, no intimacy can occur. There is nothing with which the other person can relate. There is just air, a smiling service, a pretty vessel hoping to be filled.
But Moon in Aries means it will never feel genuine to be completely subsumed into others ideas and existence. Without there being some Me in the collaboration it just won’t feel good.
Watch Adam be interviewed to see the spectrum in action. He rarely treats even the most absurd or limp question with anything other than respect: Libra Rising. He uplifts triteness, often, by repeating the inane inquiry respectfully, like he’s actually considering the answer. He also doesn’t lie. (Moon in Aries).
And if it ever becomes too much, too inauthentic, Aries cries: Stop! Adam takes action. Like Tweeting interviewers: Enough! Do your homework! (And Libra continued to tolerate the resulting non-compliance)
Theatre training would have taught Adam that the entire point of live performance is doing everything for the audience. That it’s a dialogue, a two-way exchange. An entertainer’s job is to create an experience with the audience. Different every night – not just because Aries Moon likes it constantly new, but because the audience is different.
“I know they’re gonna be having a good time,
so that’s all that matters.”
That was just a small aside about the GNT audience from Adam in a recent radio interview. Libra Rising would understand all this “Others First” and “It’s an audience collaboration” stuff instinctively.
At the same time, if there ain’t nothing unique, new, real and exciting happening in the performance, the audience – rightly so – is going to be short-changed.
Burn bright Aries. Show us what you, and you alone, are working with.
Moon in Aries means the more authentically present he is in each song energetically, the better it feels for Adam. I am here! This is Good!”
Every minute he’s on stage, Adam is actively reaching out and through the audience on a molecular energy level. No passivity, no hanging back. Reading everyone out there, because Libra knows all that bright fire is for just one purpose: Giving happiness to others.
Being himself is Adam’s gift to his audience. Full spectrum.
(And, yes, amusingly, trashing rules galore, I am – just this once – ignoring the Sun’s own Leo, the actual sign of theatrics, performance, and ruler of the all-important home of Creativity: The Fifth House. Not to mention -as you other AstroGeeks probably have been yelling – Neptune. And everybody’s favorite Transformer: Scorpio. Another time.)
S9 – What Others? There’s an Audience?
Among the agonizing short-comings of the entire cast of AI Season 9 was their seeming to think performance is basically: “Watch Me”. Unaware of the essential collaborative aspects of inspired performance. Or how to read and dialogue energetically with an audience.
They just stand up there and do it.
Sometimes even the extremely gifted Allison and Orianthi suffer from this misunderstanding that their entire job is to be something to watch. They focus their energy on themselves, on performing musically, not on reading the audience. Which can give a remote, once-removed passivity to otherwise impressive abilities.
Orianthi especially just doesn’t seem to understand she is required to assume the primary, active responsibility for the necessary energetic collaboration with the audience. When the pair have their (we hope long-lasting) Nouveau Heart moment together, becoming more fully present for each other, both they and the room get to share in that exchange. And everything sparks more alive.
Maybe it’s the penalty of being surrounded by artificial, electro-enhanced performances and not enough good-old fashioned live theatre.
But these energetically removed performers don’t seem to recognize, song after song, that their entire reason to step out on that stage is to step forward and create an experience for others. Fully, actively inhabit their entire body energetically. For the audience’s pleasure. That they’re not there only to “have fun” for themselves. Or just show off what they can do.
They are there to service others.
This is the opposite of film or television performance. There, with cameras so close, the job is to Be True Inside. Forget others. Live the character’s experience. Not project to the audience. Keep the emotions internally authentic and they will telegraph to the audience. The camera insures that.
Adam had to learn in the beginning of his Idol journey that serving others – and himself – when on TV required not projecting to the back row. That “Keeping it Real” was different in a different medium.
But Libra Rising means he never forgot his success depended on creating the best experience possible for those watching. He is always there to Serve Others Pleasure.
Once He’s In, He Owns Whatever He Wants From You
Even on AI, it was plain to see that Adam’s ability to read, penetrate and ignite his audience’s energy – including over the airwaves – was near shamanic. And that if there are other lifetimes, he must have done a few as kundalini master.
But, Astrologically, his understanding of how the audience of Others and the performing Self are a union would have been instinctive.
Adam loves connecting with others. Go Libra! But what he wouldn’t like as much – and he has often said – is experiencing that connection in live performance in a role as a character. He is excited by getting to be himself – Yay Aries – on stage. And has said so repeatedly.
“For me as a person, I really started honing in on what it was that makes me who I am, and I really wanted that to come out in my music”
Professionally, where the relationship is with his audience, and the most personal interaction is in performance, with his prominent Venus-Mars spectrum Adam can actually express both. Fully. Neither abridged. Switching as often as he chooses. Both sides completely spoken at their appropriate times.
All that beauty and rich wardrobe and soft, feminine, pretty beguilement is Venus in action. And all that chest-popping, hip-thrusting, hard, hot, deep, how can any one man be that masculine fire is just as real, thank you, Mars.
Fully Male. But this wild child is never, ever gonna hurt you.
Adam makes love to his audience. Literally. Every night. And as much as Aries is feeling the fire, Venus knows he not only will respect you in the morning, he’s respecting you way down inside all night long. He’s doing this all for you, darlin’.
For a large portion of the audience, this is the only time your chromosomes are gonna qualify you as Love Partner.
But for this hour, You’re the One. You’re the Goddess, he’s Warrior Rock God, and it’s gonna be good for you. Venus is here, just as large and in charge, she knows what you want, and it’s every inch of my love, isn’t it?
Those that want him are given satisfaction. Those that just want to be him are equally invited to union. Secure, rippling with Mars own adrenaline fuel, within the boundaries of performance, Adam opens himself while penetrating every energetic door the audience throws open for him.
Adam cannot help but read the energy of his audience. Both his training and his instincts know that’s his job. His honor and integrity as an Entertainer require him to be Fully Himself, but deliver that Fullness all for You. And his antennae are reading “You”, the audience, every note.
Man, Oh, Man, That’s Pretty
Watch vids and you can see how the macho parts of Glam Nation get more Alpha Male every night.
Moon in Aries nurtured by the fire from the audience, Adam thriving in being himself. His biceps are even buffer. This does not stop the eyeliner growing thicker, the jewels from glittering, the camp campier, the outrageous being more secure, and Venus from gaining allure.
On stage is Sacred Union time, the Conjunctio. Venus-Mars. Fully both. This is his responsibility: Serve You. Bring the Real Him, which, perfectly, is exactly What You Want.
Dress-up is a different thing.
Dress-up – and the art and creativity it entails – are authentic expressions for Adam. He wore a Halloween cape year-round as a child. His True Self likes to pretend. Creativity=Authenticity.
For Adam the fun of playing dress-up, of pretending, of creating illusion, especially in the conspiracy of others is [i]not [/i]the opposite of Real. The point of pretending is to be even More Real.
With Moon in Aries, Adam has an ability to use illusion that others may lack. Which is he can go down the dress-up rabbit hole without worrying he’ll never come back.
Neptune’s beguiling arms of union and illusion are very hard to resist. Addiction is easy. Without Moon in Aries, Adam might not have turned illusion into epiphany. Like all too many frustrated creative warriors, he might have preferred to just stay high.
“I realized that we all have our own power, and that whatever I
wanted to do, I had to make happen.
That was Adam’s illumination in the sands of Burning Man. And a quintessential Aries moment: It’s Me! I’m in Charge! What do I want from Me? How can I make it Be!
“I make it happen”. Aries insight. And after his Libran listening to others – the chorus boys backstage saying “You gotta do Idol” – he did.
And on AI, after Leo, Neptune, Pisces, Scorpio, Aries, Pluto and Mars finished blowing us away with blinding talent, it was that sweet Libra Rising smile that beguiled the nation. That polite, courtly, charming, kind, handsome gentleman who never hogged, assumed, or failed to thank the band.
Both ends and the middle of the Aries-Libra spectrum. Never just one. Never too much of one without the other. Dazzling mastery in action.
Mars & Venus Working For Us All
Life in Lambertaria lets us dress-up – sometimes just with anonymity – and perform for and with others.
And experiencing Adam’s excitement in expressing his unbridled True Self has helped many people realize they can no longer hold back rich, deep parts of their True Self (Aries) because of too much worry about the opinion of others (Libra).
Hearing people say “I am going to be Me” or “I’m gonna write poems/draw/dance/dress-up/run/design/play ukelele/whatever and I don’t care if anyone ever sees it, I’m doing this for me!!” is getting to experience Aries in action.
Every time someone leaps into Authenticity and says: “I’m doing it!” – like Q3’s gorgeous July 25th DP (at Planet Fierce) post about GNT inspired art and fervor for painting – we can applaud.
Adam’s own Aries insight launched him to audition for Idol. But we must always remember how much Libra helped him rise.
Online, a place where we can freely be ourselves, the spirit, liveliness, and directness of Aries posting are as appealing as those delights are in Adam. But those of us with an active penchant for “Not giving a shit” online might want to recognize that Adam never, ever, ever unleashes his power without charm.
And remember unchecked Aries is a thin-skinned 12-year-old playing video games. Alone.
Unbalanced Aries flames and fan wars. Can be cruel because it feels powerful. Barks “I’m right, you’re wrong” repeatedly. And slashes out orders for the one and only right way to be a Real Fan.
Unchecked Aries can get so intoxicated with the idea of being first and new no matter the consequences – it will copy, paste, and post/twit even the most baseless or incendiary rumor immediately. And hijack discussion for everyone.
So those of us feeling our online Aries, might consider taking a breath before hitting send and ask: “What would Libra Rising do? How will this prosper Community?”
It could open up whole new worlds of fun.
Be Kind To Yourself First
Conversely, if you know you’re entranced by Adam’s wild and out there nature, his love of exciting creative expression and know that it’s all there inside of you as well, alive, aching to get out, why not try a little “I gotta be me!”.
Start with five minutes a day of doing something you like/have always wanted to try/been meaning to get back to doing.
You do not have to be so-called “Good at it”. Though no doubt many of you are beyond good with the potential for amazing excellence.
There are dozens of ways to let Libra’s dislike of conflict, and putting other’s welfare first, smother Aries call to feel your fire. This can include getting trapped into turning your essence into saleable product to please others.
Listen to Aries: Your fire is first just for Yourself. You don’t have to sell it. You don’t have to do anything with it. You simply have to enjoy it.
Aries doesn’t care what others think. It simply has to Be. Aries does new things just to experience them. Starts new things because they need starting. Worry not about “Why” or where the action is going.
DO NOT THINK ABOUT “HOW CAN I MAKE THIS TALENT A BUSINESS.”
Just create. (Unless you want to start a business, different thing. Then start planning and go for it.)
And recognize Creativity is not just a tangible thing.
Like Authenticity, it’s a spirit.
And more than anything it’s a commitment.
Commitment to truth. Commitment to learning as much about yourself as you can. And not abridging your own power to the point that it harms you. Harming yourself is not being kind to others. It’s harming the world.
Aries can help you honor your own “I am here, this is good!” shout of Essential Wild Child Identity.
Try a little glitter. Smile wider. Spread the Free. Applaud uniqueness. Dance loud. Forget your mask. Change the world.
If everyone on Earth was enjoying their Authenticity – while being keenly aware of others – imagine what an excellent world this would be.
Pretty good advice for a happy life: Be You. Be Kind. Aries & Libra. Can’t have one without the other. And without them both, we wouldn’t have Adam. Or this fine Community of each other.
And if you haven’t seen Anthrogeek’s Aries-licious Sure Fire Winners vid from Tempe, it’ll take you to the top:
Start learning about your own Moon’s Nodes here.
If you know your Moon’s Nodes read more here.
Here’s where to start learning more about Chiron.
And Business Strategy discussion is here.
Is there a way to harness the thrill and community of being a card-carrying Lambertarian and transform it into a wider kind of fun?
Something that doesn’t only pursue excitement through celebrating the talents of a gifted and compelling man, but equally celebrates our own.
Possibly.
And that’s why this Astro School was started.
To help interested members of our diverse and dynamic community discover how much great stuff they got to strut. Through the adventures of Psychological Astrology.
We’ll explore how the same go-for-it creative energies we admire in a certain talented, smart, and fascinating admitted Astro Geek play a vital role in our own lives.
This School intends to both break the glittery spell and help it pull deeper.
Understanding your chart can be like learning amazing, bedrock truths about yourself you never even recognized.
Your natal chart can be a road map, a guide, a documentary film starring you, that you just didn’t realize had been released. And that you are, in fact, the director.
Now, as Adam says about himself, this little experiment is “not for everyone”. And neither is Psychological Astrology.
But for those who enjoy adventure, connection, creativity, brain-engaging discussion, and freedom, welcome to a whole lotta fun.
We’re starting with some necessary basics. (Click on “First Lessons” in the menu bar or below)
Coming soon is a second batch of First Lessons. Covering the more philosophical aspects of studying here at Astro Creativity School
Then, after you’ve had a chance to explore all that, we’ll start learning about an actual Astro Placement in your chart.
Naturally, we will not start any place expected or usual. (This is a Lambertarian Learning Institute. Expected and usual are not among our core values.)
We’re going to start with your faculty’s favorite part of Astro Creativity: The Moons Nodes.
The what?
Moons Nodes?
What’s that?
Oh, just a little indication of your path to wholeness and learning in this lifetime.
Hey, in Lambertaria, nothing small. Even from the start.
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Mystery is essential.
It is also fun.
And the answer to the small mystery of why is this Wilkes-Barre Glam Nation review in this space will be revealed at the end.
But first – Tour 1, Show 1.
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“Ohhhh!…Do you know what you got into it…”
Almost two thousand people – me giddy-grinning among them – are on their feet, singing double entendres in perfect show choir unison.
Remixed FYE is clarion-calling the faithful and we are beyond ready. Lights are down, our momma’s not home, and this is a cauldron long past bubbling.
First show, first tour. It’s really happening.
We have endured weekly “I can’t believe I just saw that amazingness” cheering alone from our living rooms. Stumbled our way – not believing we were actually doing something so sanity questioning – to finding each other around the campfires of the internet. Worn out our mouse fingers power-trending polls and tracking down every possible pixel of decent audio. And breathed every breath of the OMG trail from first mic stand grab in 2009 Portland to the seven-minute transubstantiation of Fantasy Springs WLL.
And this is it. First show, first tour. No one to answer to but himself. And us. And we want it.
Now.
I am completely aware of being there. And how all across the internet fingers are clicking keys as anxiously as we, awaiting the start gun, are already holding on to the seat backs in front of us.
And then, it’s time.
Band swoops on stage, the roar begins. First chords of Voodoo. And the screams become like airplane engines if what they blasted were high-pitched torrents of “Yes!!!!!!!”
And he’s there.
High on his chosen platform. Back lit so the outlines are like some kind of Mad Hatter against the moon. He’s singing, though the screams are now a steady wall of sound with no spaces – a phenomenon full of heady joy that will tremble the walls of this Art Deco palace after every number tonight.
He slowly, carefully, prowls towards us down the memories of his own portable Feeling Good Memorial Stairs.
And rummaged out of ten thousand clicks of interview watching, as the crowd is following Paula’s excellent advice to “take it all in” and examining every inch of the intricate costume, make-up, and magician’s movements, while bouncing to VooDoo’s not overly familiar spell, one all-important quote from Adam Lambert to Simon and the world is planting inside my mind : “Theatrical is good”.
Oh, my, indeed, it is.
This show is very theatrical.
Not overly so, at all. It’s got kick-ass Rock Star through and through.
But there are full-fire theatrical moments that are as close to scripted play or musical production numbers as a traveling rock concert can get.
They’re like magic nuggets of condensed power interlaced through the world-class Rock ‘n Roll. Characters he can embody and expand. Interactions with the dancers that will do exactly what dancing always does over time – after the body has memorized every synchronized move giving emotions the solid foundation on which to express with just a flicker – and that is to delight.
He may sing the same songs 70 times. Or change up a few here and there, most especially the encore. But even if it’s the same set, every night, it will never be the same show twice.
Because packed inside this traveling jamboree of legend-in-the-making rock show are change-up opportunities that are 100% theatrical.
And if you are lucky enough to have spent time participating in that transforming communal rhapsody known as live theatre you will recognize them as you cheer.
This is what Rock Star looks like now, Earthlings.
No limits, no categories, no snarling poseurs, no fake electro augmentation pretending “catchy” is the new synonym for talent.
This is a show that can grow each time it’s performed.
First show, first tour. No one to answer to but himself. And he’s built an expandable potion that he can brew and flavor whatever way he pleases. That can deliver exactly what he’s always promised: Entertainment.
While still slamming down Pure Rock Star better than any hot rocket frontman who’s ever stalked the stage.
The astoundingly mature restraint of this nuanced accomplishment could floor you if you weren’t so busy trying to not float away in the fun.
He didn’t try to accomplish too much in the short rehearsal time and, let’s face it, not-yet-unlimited budget of a first-time headliner who skipped the opening act transitory step.
But he’s structured a flexible, portable, sizzling, magical container that can go as far as he likes.
By using, among other powers, theatrics.
There is room for nightly decisions to give that night’s exact crowd exactly what it needs, one of his most remarkable skills.
There is flexibility to add storyline, or subtract it. The lasers can adapt to location. They’re atmospheric, not bombarding. There are pencil beams and curly cues. Swirls and long trails.
The pictures that project behind him could change every night, and he probably carefully selected each one. Though, like Paula said, when he’s on stage, all you see is him.
For example, there are apparently moments in the show where he’s wailing in front of a giant neon sign that reads “Hot Sex”. I did not see this sign. I did have some momentary experiences of its message during the 60 some minutes. And it’s hard to miss the opening dancing of Fever is Adam and just the male dancers.
Adam introduces the band by their full names now. Monte is officially music director. Brooke is his choreographer. There are legions of roadies, four buses, two equipment trucks (my hotel room, serendipitously, overlooked them all).
This is grown-up stuff.
This is how pioneering creativity is prospered. Choose what you want to make most powerful and express it fully. He seems to have recognized that trying to make everything happen leads to watery nothing at all.
He no longer needs to set his hair on fire.
He has chosen to ignite his audience’s lives. It’s a much deeper, more satisfying, bolder, bigger fire to start. And it never has to stop glowing its warmth.
The unstoppable, game-changing impact of expert theatricality will unfold over the 70 performances.
But first show, first tour, I was surprised, intrigued and amused to recognize the energetic archetypes that a man known for his blindingly sexy charisma chose to present.
The first image he gives us is not Mr. Hot Rock God. It’s Mad Hatter, New Orleans meets Wild West Magician Medicine Crow.
This really is New Orleans homage. Inspired by Dr. John. The original. (An African American healer, here’s a picture on Dr. John, the singer’s web site, www. DrJohn.org.)
Adam is all bent elbows and spell twining three-foot fringe dangling from his long arms. Jutting emphasis on angles in the cross steps of his careful footwork and fancy feathers plumed off the king-size top hat. (Not the first costume of the evening to remind you how tall he is. And how happy you are about that.)
Buckskins are among the many Native American knowledge bases co-opted by the White Man. Leather fringe flittering was a kind of camouflage. It broke up the solid outline of human form. Like much magic, including feathers, it eventually became decorative.
But this Puppet Master pulling the strings of his dancers causes me just a tiny personal smile. He’s a Shaman! Yes, interestingly, this character has White Man Wampum and firewater blurred aspects that polygot New Orleans has always known.
But he’s a Shaman!
Adam performing has felt like a Shaman in command many times to me. Kundalini rising, respectful energy exchange with his audience. Smiling, happy, pure goodness of delight in being there doing his flat-out best to bring joy to those watching.
But still, always in energetic command.
Sheer, utter, command. As he is, right now, and will be throughout the entire show.
He is combined complete masculine power and sweet, happy puppy giving. Grounded from barefoot toe tip to insouciant sky-high Elvis hair by being fully present. Alive with himself. Yet, he’s clearly there only and completely for his audience.
Half the people sitting in the orchestra will believe he made eye contact with them, several times. Even me. And I’m in the 12th row and know I can’t be seen.
What he’s connecting to is the joyful energy flowing ceaselessly towards him. And that there is no place in that audience he can’t look and make contact.
Light, sweet control. Deft, barely discernable control. Master’s touch. Never lets go. All for us.
He has put out his palm from note one, we are all in it, and he will take care of us until it’s over. Energy, intention, highest good magic.
He is an instructional video in how to use energy on stage. Awake, aware, alive, sparkling. Shimmy shake cutie-pie.
And, then, thrust, pop, yes that really happened, just like you felt it way down inside, alpha male.
The show’s first song may be about VooDoo (a widely misrepresented religion) but it’s not dark. He can’t be dark. He’s too happy to be there. And his intentions for the world are all about peace, love and growth-inducing change.
Still, first show, first tour, lights up, there he is, a Shaman.
The Mad Hatter will take us Down the Rabbit Hole, issuing one of the most unnecessary invitations in the history of stage performance: Come on and follow me.
He’ll shed the fringed jacket to become a sutra seductor in Ring of Fire. And the barefoot temptation then lathers us through what may become the best Broadway Production number known to Rockland: Fever. Adam and the dancers fan themselves in cute unison. But there is no cooling us off.
The first costume change – covered by some still emerging as how far theatre/rock to take it dancing – is another energetic archetype Adam both completely inhabits and inverts. A new silhouette of power, up high. But this time in a long, floor-dusting, form-outlining coat.
He could be a Mage, a Priest, a Sultan, a King. Sleepwalker organ chords slowly build. Heathcliff. Phantom. He’s wearing what could be a cassock, a wizard’s cloak, a prince’s robe.
.
This is classic leading man stuff. With every twist imaginable.
And continuing evidence that the supremely gifted costume designer knows the importance of showing what the headliner is working with. Including the impact of a flash of long, strong thigh. And broad shoulders. (Expressive, broad shoulders that later can sway the third costume change’s magnificent striped leather jacket as if it had tail feathers)
But now it’s the Magician King’s top coat he’s wearing when he’s sitting on his stool, talking directly to each of us, singing directly to us all. And when a moment occurs, for the first time, that is certain to happen 69 times more.
And that’s when he sings “Thanks for loving me…” in WWFM.
Before he can even get to “doing if perfectly” the audience has roared up its happiness. He reacts. This is big magic. There are almost two thousand people beaming love. And they represent untold thousands more who love this man, his fearless dedication to excellence, and the happiness he creates.
Who want his best. His fullest, strongest, most interesting and inspiring self.
And they don’t get much chance to say this to him directly, personally, nor he to us, and this song, this moment is mutual opportunity for that to happen.
It was splendid. And will only get more so.
Adam seems aware that this is an unique fanbase. In Fever, he wiggled his fingers out to beckon in the entire venue singing he wants to “get all of you alone” and you believe him.
For this hour, this time, he is here for each of us. There is two-way love going on here. But right now, this is his job, this is his responsibility of the relationship. This is where he shows up and holds nothing back.
Our job is to try to stay in our bodies enough to enjoy the energy of so much love beaming around and forget everything but here, now, and the fun.
An interesting choice Adam has made with his show is apparently to become a patron of the arts and promote dance.
The dancers are used like spices. Sparingly, but with just the right flavor. They are not, praise Terpsichore, yet another hack rendition of Pop Star accoutrement number 4: Beat Bopping Bodies.
This is way more genuine musical production than that step-clomp-wriggle-du-jour stuff, that’s almost become a parody, usually with a phalanx of same-size all males, covering up auto-tuned lip synching.
As many of us discussed when Adam’s somewhat less than unique dance numbers hit the internet, Adam does not need ordinary Pop Singer dancing. And that’s not what’s happening now. This is real dancing. Including his.
News to no one, but Adam has got some moves. And over time, he and the dancers hitting those beats together is gonna be big fun. It already is.
And no video has shown just how fast and skilled that fist-pumping interchange he does with choreographer Brooke really is. And at the end of the show! Where did he get the energy.
On one hand, it doesn’t really matter what else is happening on stage. You’re gonna tractor beam him. But the dancers have the potential to both enhance the show and further showcase his originality. The man can dance. And choreography is another way to demo his talents.
And while I am a RL supporter of modern dance, wasn’t expecting dancing without Adam. It is not clear exactly how the dancing interlude moments are going to evolve. Felt a little bit like the times where the dancers are on stage performing without him should be either more original and complex, or just shorter.
But like the band playing without Adam – and Cam, Longineau, and Tommy are great musicians, and, of course it’s always a pleasure to hear Monte Pittman play – there may be more to come. Or less.
As he introduces the show closing “If I Had You”, Adam preaches his message of Put Love First. That “if you are not connected to Love” nothing means nothing. Most especially Rock Stardom.
There has been much to learn about love as an Adam Lambert fan.
He’s an unwilling Pied Piper who only intended to entertain. But has ended up launching dialogues and discussions. And creating a wired fanbase of diverse people with a love of creativity, of joy, of happiness, of peace, connection, community, newness, diversity, and fun, that is no small instrument of intelligence and power.
Right now, on this tour, Adam can use that unwavering support to do anything he chooses.
The shows are sold out. Everyone in the audience wants him to strut his stuff.
Hope he gets to try everything he ever wanted, even if it’s just for a minute a night, to see how it might work. The chance to do that doesn’t happen often. And all his hard work created it. Hope he can seize it and use it as time and tour grind, of course, will allow.
There is so much first tier amazing singing and entertaining going on that he could go crazy nuts, let’s just try this, every once in a while and even if it – like all pursuit of creative greatness must include – splatted and clunked, this audience would still have the time of their lives.
It’s his container, he built it, he can use it as he pleases.
Can’t wait to see it again. For unknown reasons, my seat experienced the worst sound mix imaginable. Echo like a Miley Cyrus track. Band overload. His voice mixed down too soft, and echo echo echo flabby. Like a bad car radio three blocks away. And even without getting to enjoy those clarion clear notes only Adam can do, it was a spectacular experience.
Do what ever you can to get there – within reason, of course. But consider a broad definition of reasonable.
And if geography or circumstances prevent that, hope some moments of reporting here on the things videos can’t entirely show enhance your vicarious entertainment.
He is as amazing you want him to be. And this is just the beginning.
——
And now, about, the little mystery.
There is another aspect of Lambertarian energetic experience that has, full disclosure, become more important to me than enjoying Adam’s talents. And that’s the community.
The online community of people who simultaneously believe in Adam’s abilities yet still can’t, even now, believe they’re spending so much time together on the internet, has been a rich, highly diverse alternate universe of big rewards.
The learning opportunities have been many. Especially the learning about getting along with others.
But as people find experiencing Adam’s “Believe in Yourself” fully present energy such a pleasure, and, in some cases, a bit of awakening, there is a kind of “What now?”
And for some members of the community, discussions, especially on Twitter, have evolved to topics sparked by Adam, and to other areas.
People have also found themselves wanting to stop living the “that’s my sign – procrastinating” aspects of their own personal expression.
Yet the energetic rewards of online community seem to ironically eat the time that might be spent compassionately examining one’s own reluctance to Burning Man epiphany to stop perpetuating the hanging back systems of the past and to just go for it.
Even if “It” is draw a picture once a week. Or laugh louder. Or dress boldly. Or stop care-taking others as a never satisfying substitute of actually taking care of yourself.
So, in hopes of aiding some “going for it” in the essential foundational work of “Knowing Yourself” I am going to humbly present some online forays into Psychological Astrology:
Fifth House Sun School of Astro Creativity
Coming soon to this very space
Those of you who know something about Astrology may already be laughing. The Fifth House on the wheel of Astrology is, actually, the Sun’s own house.
The Sun, its sign Leo, and the Fifth House rule Creativity.
Thus “Creative” is the only kind of Fifth House there is.
And fun. Hope we’ll have fun. Will tweet when school begins.
Originally posted at PlanetFierce.com. As first in a series of columns exploring Life with Adam Lambert in the 4C – Community, Creativity, the Cosmos, and Commercial Sluttery (with morals)
“What’s he trying to be?”
When I was your basic Madison Avenue Type New Yorker, if my first in-depth exposure to Adam Lambert had been at the Nokia that would have been my instant inner inquiry.
What’s he trying to be? Rocker? Broadway Star? Crooner? Sex God? Pop Male Brittany who can actually sing? Lord Ga-Ga?
Because I would have been operating from alleged savvy business perspective. Where everything and everyone wants to be A Brand.
Target, position, define, label. Box it up, analyze “The Market”, stamp it: “One Specific Thing”, round ‘em up, move ‘em out, sell, baby, sell!
All part of MadAve Me’s other singular assumption: Everybody Wants to Be a Really Big Star. That there is just One Goal: Making It. Meaning sell as many records – or now downloads – as possible to the pinpointed “target market”
And these would have been penetrating insights if Glam Nation had rolled into town in 1989. Or anytime before Steve Jobs said “Let there be iPod”.
But in 2010, not so much.
Here’s why: Technology.
Technology has changed everything. Including, as you shall see, how all marketers perceive and sell to their markets.
That shift, and the unlimited opportunities (and jeopardies) technology opens to entertainers makes another number as important as ranking on the charts – and that’s the number of emotionally-bonded, likely-to-be-longterm fans. You’ll soon see why.
Welcome to your Instant MBA
This MBA may not get you a job as a CEO, but could make you more informed than many of them.
It may also encourage you to agree with my humble opinions (HO’s) – or not, for isn’t Intelligent Discussion the Bedrock Beauty of PF?
HO #1: This is the only Positioning Statement Brand Adam ever needs:
Adam Lambert: Expect the Unexpected. Excellence Guaranteed.
No genres. No limits. Target Market: People who are excited by excellence. Especially in their entertainment.
Thus when today’s “Hot Branded Something” is trying desperately to re-invent themselves as “Not Whatever They Used to Be” – (See Cyrus, Miley; Brothers, Jonas; and inevitably Perry, Katy and Ha,Ke$) – Adam will simply be expanding. Surprising and delivering excellence. As always.
On whatever new-fangled platform the future may bring. And the fangles will be many.
Pixel Pounding
Technology has revolutionized – and decimated – both Advertising and the Recording Industry. And movies, magazines, books, television, newspapers.
The old model of Big Companies controlling the physical creation and physical distribution of physical, finite products is the S.S. Dial Telephone and the iceberg has rammed. Sinking entire industries into a “ContenTainment” blur.
And this is just the beginning – the Stone Age of the Information Age. Dinosaurs of Music Industry and Radio are still roaming the Earth.
No one’s quite sure how long re-arranging the deck chairs of “Catchy Singles” will last. But in 1999, U.S. music sales and licensing was $14.6 billion. Last year, going 10 for 10 in the decade, the figure was $6.3 billion. Not a sustainable trend
And casualties aren’t confined to “old media” either.
Example: Ringtones. Literally, unheard of before this century, the market peaked in 2007 at $880 million. Down another 15% in 2009. Yes, money’s still being made, but ringtones are on their way to 8-track land. Why? Technology. Phones can store whole songs as ringtones. People can make their own.
In five years, people on the farthest reaches of the globe could be carrying around a “mobile” with enough computer power to run Cleveland. “U B DJ VII” could let you remix every track you’ve ever owned, switching in vocals simulating every star of the past century.
So in the face of the unforeseeable, while still being required to play the Old School Making It Game, what’s a golden talent hankering for a Sir Paul kind of longevity to do?
If I were a Business Genie (insert your own lamp-rubbing joke here) and could both grant Adam some wishes and make some HO wishes for him, here is where I’d start:
1) Own Your Customers
2) Listen to Your Heart
3) Put Every Dime into Your F-U Freedom Fund
Here’s why:
F-U Fund First
Technology is uncontrollable. The needs of a big, obsoleting corporation are basically: Survive.
RCA may be a wondrous label, run by outstanding people. But technology is as unstoppable as the demands of stock analysts on quarterly reports.
The interests of a corporation strip-mining for life support may, with no warning, not always align with their artists. (Or recently-fired employees.)
Plus Old School power structure can repeatedly ignore technologically created new opportunities, leaving huge stacks of money on the techno table.
Prudence demands ready access to an FU-4-FU’ing Me, walk-away-from-the-death-throes fund. So that at any instant, the same technology decimating big business can phoenix self-controlled Lambert Studios into action. Five friends and eight iMacMondo’s you’re in action.
Especially if you’ve managed Wish #1: Own Your Customers
Instant MBA Core Knowledge: Bonding is the new Branding.
This is not an HO. This is basic biz today.
Known because cheap, desktop technology allowed “target market” demo number crunchers to uncover the reality of sales.
Reality: A tiny fraction of customers drive the vast majority of sales for every product and service offered anywhere. And make or break your profit margin.
These essential customers have cutsey proprietary names in new business pitches, where agencies promise: “We’ll Get You Some”. Like Influencers. Or the Golden Geese.
They may be 2-15% of your customer base. But they drive 80-95% of your sales.
Drive. Not necessarily personally purchase.
The Golden Customers, with whom you must deeply, completely, thoroughly relate are the ones who love you the most.
Why?
For one, people who buy a lot – “Heavy users” in Branding hey-day – with no emotional commitment will dump you the minute something cheaper, shinier or more interesting comes along.
But more importantly, because loyal and emotionally-bonded customers generate Word-of-Mouth (WOM). And WOM=sustainable long-term sales. And your profit margin.
Glam Nation Needed No Ad Budget
Advertising is expensive. More and more so all the time. And doesn’t always generate interest or purchase. (Example: any low-turnout/canceled tour)
Word-of-Mouth is not expensive, often having that very good price: Free! And works. Every time. There’s your profit. For every service and product sold anywhere.
And while PR – or good reviews – are excellent WOM generators, loyal and emotionally-bonded customers are non-stop Excited Experts who proselytize. They recruit new users with enthusiasm and documented proof of your product’s quality. People get a tip, they’re intrigued, they’ll sample.
If the product delivers, those new recruits will buy again. And are on their way to the Golden Bonded Moment of WOM-ing, too.
The goal of every profit-oriented business is to maintain and deepen relationship with their customers – new samplers and loyal stand-bys alike – so that a sufficient number will become sufficiently bonded to maintain sufficient Word-of-Mouth to sustain sales.
Short version:
-
No passion, no profit.
And remember, heavy purchase does not equal passion. Kesha, Rihanna, and Jordin Sparks all sell singles. Concert tickets, not so easy. Plus, passion-wise, what is there about those artists to create bonding? Or even make them unique and irreplaceable over the long-term?
IMHO, longevity in the ever-changing, techno-advancing, ContenTainment future – artistically, creatively, and financially – belongs to entertainers who have loyal, bonded, instantly reachable customers who are eager to spend for their favorites’ unique, high-quality product.
Who will legally purchase new Creative Expression from their trusted and revered source early and often – plus recruit other experimenters – for years to come. NO MATTER WHAT PLATFORM TECHNOLOGY CREATES.
In other words: We are Adam’s Future.
We’re his Ace-in-the-Hole, Future-Insuring, Golden Assets.
With enough loyal customers, and cheap-enough technology-based distribution, a versatile and talented artist can create entirely new categories of Entertainment.
Which is why every one of us charge-card-wielding, highly-discerning, ain’t going nowhere stans is Freedom on Legs for Mr. Lambert.
We make him able to leap technological platforms with a single bound. We make him able to risk creatively. We guarantee WOM. We are a solid layer of new model money – whatever that model may be. No matter how many times it changes.
Bond us, Mr. Lambert, bond.
You have already benefitted from TV’s biggest WOM maker – American Idol. Which allowed us to meet you. But it’s your uniqueness that made the bond.
Build on that.
Solidify your rock-hard foundation of Freedom of Expression and Longevity in the unknowable technological future by instituting new, innovative, interactive and emotionally-bonding ways to exploit your devoted and diverse fans. (Insert “Til you’re screaming my name” jokes here.)
And give us interesting and creative ways to recruit new assets.
Legally Possess Now & Always
And when I wished “Own your customers” I meant that not just emotionally, but literally. Legally.
Equally important as relating to Radio – IMHO possibly more so – is Adam setting up first-class mechanisms through his own Lambertarian Enterprises LLC, to relate on his own, outside the legal entanglements of the system, to his essential golden assets: his fans. (And we’ll discuss possibilities in future columns.)
He must not sign away any post-contract techno-relating with his fanbase. And he may have already lost rights to the AO email list. Twitter follower status unknown.
But Twitter could die next year. And something new appear next month.
Pioneer new categories and ways of fan relationship, Mr. Lambert. Understand this is as important an area as album and concert creation. And demands the same level of newness and excitement.
Forget what the industry thinks fans are. Ignore bullet points. Shatter templates. Run from repeats that “worked” for so-and-so.
You – and your fans alike – are a category of one.
Adam Lambert fans want different, exciting, social change oriented, creatively inspiring interaction.
Pioneer this field. And don’t let 19, Sony, or RCA own any of it.
Because for an individual artist, on a global basis, it doesn’t take many customers to sustain a long, excitingly creative career. That no amount of “latest big thing” ContenTainment buzzery can change.
You do the math.
Broad current numbers: labels today take 60+% off the top of record sales. Plus the artist’s sliver to cover costs and advance until recoupment. (Q3 is the expert in this label/artist split stuff, but here’s an article if you’re interested:
Compare this to techno possibilities of artist-owned product and distribution base.
Quick example using today’s technology:
Imagine 200K global customers happily spending 50 bucks a year for high-quality Adam Lambert Live performance, be that PPV, day-after-concert downloads, mid and end of tour DVD’s, anything.
200K x $50 =$10 million. Annually. Finagle customers/sales/productions costs any direction – plenty of room to play. Including produce only 10 amazing-razzle-dazzle-whatever you please extravaganza tour shows a year.
Though Adam may not be touring. He may be in movies. Making EP’s or video poetry readings as he pleases on the side.
Anytime Adam invents something new – say it’s a mobile phone episode concert series, or musical soap opera for that matter – he puts it in the pipeline. Loyal fans buy. They WOM to others.
Plus the more fascinatingly creative he is, the more likely he is to get PR across the ContenTainment 24/7 need for content.
Heart Knowledge Means Freedom
Money, fame, and fortune buy a lot of things. Freedom is not always among them.
Adam has said, repeatedly – including the morning after the finale – that the excitement for him about winning Idol runner-up was a chance to [i]create[/i].
He wants to create and – thank you, Libra Rising – collaborate. Much as he loves music, he will not be content for long – thank you, Moon in Aries – with just one creative outlet.
If he wants to be a Big Global Pop Star, go for it. If RCA can make everything happen for him, using his fanbase and ability to pioneer platforms for a mutual Giant Star Forever career, fabulous.
But death rattling companies need vehicles of change.
Adam’s label may know Adam’s one of their best hopes for riding into the future. And will make it worth his while.
Adam needs to know way down inside, how much he wants To Be Big, and how much he wants to be Free. The list of “Used To Be Big” is Long. The list of Creatively Free, shorter.
If he knows his heart, his main jobs are: 1) Continually invent new excellence. 2) Make sure his innovative people are continually inventing meaningful, creative ways to maintain his golden asset fanbase at whatever number works for his goals.
Be that 50,000, two million, five million, ten thousand. (10K x $200 in purchases a year = $2 million. Sideline. While he directs his first movie. Or whatever they’re called then…)
May it be whatever number brings him the greatest freedom of creativity and the greatest happiness of heart.
And may all his wishes come true. Especially his most golden ones.
Fifth House Sun School of Astro Creativity 
