WXLO goes electric for Xmas show with Adam Lambert

WORCESTER - For XLO’s Acoustic Xmas this year, Bob Goodell, vice president and market manager for WXLO 104.5 FM, WWFX 100 FM (a.k.a "The Pike") and NASH ICON 98.9 FM - knew they had to take the annual holiday show (slated for Thursday at Mechanics Hall) up a notch.

So, not only did the radio station decide to go electric (hence, being billed as "Almost" Acoustic Xmas), XLO played a little hardball to score one of the most electrifying pop stars out there today, none other than chart-topping, multi-platinum-selling Adam Lambert.

“This year, we have Adam Lambert, who won second place on (the eighth season of) 'American Idol,' but, like Daughtry (who performed at a previous XLO’s Acoustic Xmas and finished fourth on “American Idol” Season 5), Lambert has had a phenomenal career,” Goodell said. “This year we’re actually calling it the ‘Almost’ Acoustic Xmas because Adam’s actually plugging in. He’s going electric and he’s bringing in a full band and they’re flying in just for this show.”

After “American Idol” wrapped, Lambert released his debut “For Your Entertainment,” which sold nearly two million copies worldwide and featured the Grammy-nominated radio smash, “Whataya Want From Me.” His sophomore followup, “Trespassing,” topped the charts. In addition, Lambert solo's tour and tour fronting Queen (with founding members Brian May and Roger Taylor) sold out venues throughout the world.

Although there will never be another Freddie Mercury, Goodell said Lambert is a worthy successor to the throne.

“Adam has the vocal range that he can sing those Freddy Mercury tunes and he has the flamboyance,” Goodell said.

Calling the XLO Acoustic Xmas shows a thank-you to all of XLO’s loyal listeners, Goodell said securing Lambert for the show wasn’t an easy get.  

“They’re going to see an artist that they would normally see in a hall nine to 10 times bigger, in terms of size and capacity. Mechanics Hall is an acoustically perfect, intimate hall that only holds 1,600 people,” Goodell said. “Obviously when you bring a big artist to a small hall, there isn’t as much profit in it for anybody. It’s more about making something special happen … People are flying as far as Texas, because there is not many Adam Lambert shows. He got a rabid fan base, so they are coming out of the woodwork.”

In addition to Lambert, The Rua (from the U.K.), Nashville’s Mark Sibelia (who is also performing an after-party the same night at Funky Murphys, 305 Shrewsbury St.) and South African singer-songwriter Connell Cruz will be performing.

Tickets are $55-$65. Visit www.mechanicshall.org or www.wxlo.com for more information.