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After promoting his new album Trespassing across the States and taking it to the top of the charts, Adam Lambert has promptly flown out to the UK in the hope of doing it all again.
We met up with the singer talk about the LP's success, his upcoming shows with Queen and what he makes of Britney Spears judging on this year's X Factor USA.
You performed at the Royal Albert Hall last night. How did it go?
"Really well, thanks! It's a very intimidating venue as it's so huge with a lot of history. It was great to play my music to a crowd who don't necessarily know my music that well. There were some serious fans there, but the majority of the audience was hearing me for the first time, which is always a great experience."
Congratulations on the success of Trespassing in America. You must be pleased?
"Pleased is an understatement! I'm so relieved that people liked it, as I worked so hard on the record."
The second album is often a really tricky one to negotiate; did you find it a struggle?
"The first album was a bit of a guessing game really. I'd come right off of American Idol and I didn't have as much perspective as I did this time. I now know about my fans and about myself as a person and an artist. There was a lot of personal stuff too. I'm in a lot more grounded place for this album. I also had a lot more time to figure out my sound and place in music as well as live my life with my friends, family and boyfriend."
We've often wondered how singers can record an album on tour...
"I can see how that would add certain things to process, but it can also take stuff away - perspective being the main thing, I would say. Touring is so draining, so I can imagine it must be difficult."
You're also the first out gay popstar to top the Billboard chart...
"That's been a really major milestone for me - I didn't even realize it hadn't been met. I feel honored to be that person. The sexuality thing is interesting for me - I came out of the closet at 18 and dealt with all my identity issues then. Suddenly, ten years later, I had to do all the defining and qualifying all over again - where in my personal life it was just part of my normal conversation."
Was it like a second 'coming out'?
"It was pretty much that. To be honest, it's the media who are obsessed with it and sensationalize it more than normal people. It was funny when the media wrote about me "coming out" after Idol. Everybody already knew!"
You made the album available to hear online for free. Are you worried that will affect its sales?
"The ins and outs of sales and chart positions confuses me. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. My team are doing everything they can to make sure it does as well as possible, and if that means staggering the releases, than I'm fine with it. I think putting the album up online was a handy tool for a lot of people, as there are still a lot of preconceived ideas of what I'm about. One of the great things about Trespassing is that I think it really carves out my sound and my vibe."
The record has had some very positive reviews so far; did you ever worry that people wouldn't 'get it'?
"I've been so pleased with the reviews in general, and you can see when someone gets it and gets the intention behind the songs. Before I finished the album, I played the songs to a group of people who I knew would be completely honest with me and wouldn't just kiss my arse. Their honesty helped me a lot."
You're touring with Queen later this month. Are you nervous yet?
"I still can't believe we're doing this. It'll sink in eventually! All we've done is send a couple of emails back and forth, but we'll get down to serious rehearsals soon. They're such sweet guys - almost paternal - and they're doing this for the right reasons. They love what they do and they want to keep giving to the fans."
Would you like to record a track with them?
"Definitely. I wouldn't be opposed to that if the opportunity came along. I think it'd be fun."
Britney Spears is judging on this series The X Factor USA; do you think she'll make a good judge?
"I keep getting asked this question! I think it will be exciting for the public to get to know Britney again. I've never met her but I have friends who dance for her and they haven't got a bad word to say about her."
Would you audition in front of her?
"It's a lot scarier in front of Simon! I can't imagine Britney is going to be mean to anyone. It's similar to Paula [Abdul], who was the female popstar that I grew up with. I wanted her to like [me] and be my friend."
Adam Lambert's new single 'Never Close Our Eyes' is out in the UK on July 8. The album Trespassing is available in the US now and follows on July 9 in the UK.
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