Adam Lambert On Queen Tour: ‘It’s Made Me Feel Like I’m On The Right Path’

Adam Lambert is on a recent winning streak, returning to his American Idol homestead as guest judge and performing to rave reviews with Queen. In a new interview with Billboard, Lambert announced he’s spent time in the studio, and has new music due for April release. He was also reflective on what he’s learned from his time in the industry since his Idol almost-win six years ago.

He admitted he was naïve when he first left the contest, seeing the music industry “as a fan would.” He learned about radio, and he learned to listen to his own fans. Lambert also spoke at length about how his tenure with Queen has taught him about the artistry of his craft and his place in it.

“Being on stage with Queen and remembering the most important things about music and performance are the most timeless things: it transcends trend and popularity contests. It is more about truth, emotion, honesty and the connection with the audience, the music and the moment. [The Queen tour] has been good for me on a confidence level. It’s made me feel like I’m on the right path, and humbled at the same time. I am stepping into a position that used to be occupied by the greatest frontman of all time. Trying to live to that legacy has been challenging and rewarding.”

Earlier this week, the Herald Scotland gave Lambert’s collaboration with Queen in Glasgow a five star review.

“Throughout the show, Lambert was a revelation. He had the swagger, the presence, the humour, but above all, the voice, to really give a new life to these songs.”

It was just one of the positive reviews the show has received as Lambert has taken on the formidable task of fronting Queen.

Despite his success in the arenas, Lambert told Billboard he wants his new album to have a less theatrical feel than his previous work, although he credits his time with Queen in the U.K. with the creation of his current sound.

“I wanted something more internal and more grounded. A little less with the theatrical and the camp and the presentation. I wanted to bring it in a bit more. Being on the road with a British rock band, and being in London a lot this year, rehearsing with them and doing TV gigs, I think that has affected my sound and where we are headed with it. [Europe] is very ahead of the curve, or right on, and I was definitely influenced by that. Vocally, it’s very intimate compared to what I’ve done in the past. There is a little bit of a daring, deeper internal conflict and poetry about it.”

Lambert brought on well-known hit-makers Max Martin and Shellback to produce the new record. The producers had worked with Adam on his first post-Idol release, For Your Entertainment. Lambert described his experience with Martin and Shellback as about the songs and “free of ego,” saying, “they let me be me.”

Queen + Adam Lambert are currently on tour of the U.K. and Europe.

[Adam Lambert image: Getty/RyanSeacrest.com]