Hello, everyone!
OK, so, I know this is the thread for Bologna, but I thought I would do my Budapest concert experience recap here, because that thread is a bit old now.
I almost didn't make it to Budapest on Saturday, the day of the concert, because I forgot my passport and had to go back to get it! Luckily, my cousin drove me to another city to catch a different train, and I made it, but there was a moment or two before he came to my rescue that I thought: "You know what, maybe it's just not meant to be, maybe I should just be content to watch youtube videos, I don't need to go to the concert itself..." (especially because I'm not a pop-rock concert goer... I think I had been to one small concert before this and that was maybe twenty years ago). In the end, I got there, and I walked into the arena, and as I watched it filling up, I was so excited, I couldn't believe it. I had a great seat, first row on the side balcony, close to the stage, but I couldn't stand up - I tried at the very beginning, but the people behind me made me sit back down (some of them were very rude about it, as well).
And that's when I experienced first-hand what people here have already talked about, how the seated areas seem to be non-responsive or quiet. The truth is, those who want to stand up and be heard can't really do it, because then other people can't see anything. Still, I think there was a lot of seat-dancing and singing, even in my section, and I definitely saw a woman across the aisle from me who was just as eager to be loud and to be a good audience member, so I sort of felt like I wasn't the only one in the same situation.
Anyway, about my impressions of the concert itself: I didn't feel it was too long - it flew by pretty quickly actually, and I enjoyed each part of it for what it was. When Adam was singing, I enjoyed being able to hear him live, when Brian was doing his selfie thing, I enjoyed being part of that experience, when the drum battle was happening, I liked that too.
Brian's solo was surprisingly amazing - it wasn't too long for me (has he cut it a bit shorter since the first time they toured together...?)... I thought at certain moments that Adam was maybe saving his voice a little bit, but I never felt that he put a foot wrong. I did notice the little lyric flub in BR, but he covered it pretty well, under the circumstances, and it didn't bother me at all. I'm actually surprised that doesn't happen more often, considering how many lyrics he has to sing in 2 hours. It was an amazing performance, overall - by everybody. It all seemed to flow effortlessly, an excellent show. I enjoyed the whole production tremendously.
As I was worried about it being too loud for my delicate ears, unused to loud rock concerts, :D , I used foam earplugs, and they really worked great! I heard everything clearly, but the noise level was significantly reduced. I felt great after the concert and had no problem going to sleep - which was a big concern of mine, because I thought all that noise would make my nervous system go into overdrive. That didn't happen, thankfully.
I guess some of you may think this review of the concert is a bit tepid, because I haven't once used some ecstatic description of how divine Adam Lambert is as a singer and performer, but don't be fooled: this is all high praise from someone who prefers to listen to music in the comfort of my home. This is the only concert I would have gone to all that trouble to see, and it did not disappoint. I had a great time, and it definitely confirmed for me that it's a concert everybody should see at least once in their life. For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I don't expect I'll ever go again, but that only makes this more special, and makes me that much more appreciative and glad that I did go. Even when it seemed like it wasn't meant to be, and that I wouldn't be able to make it, I guess some voice inside of me just kept saying: You have to find a way, and you have to get there, to see it, to experience it. I did and I am thrilled that I did.
(I think the only other concert I would consider going to again is if Adam Lambert's next solo tour swings by somewhere near me. When the band started playing Whataya Want From Me, I was so delighted and surprised - I hadn't known that it was part of the set list - I can't even explain it. It was really wonderful hearing Adam singing that song. I wouldn't mind listening to a 2-hour concert of just his songs.... I hope that happens for me on the next tour, whenever that is.)