Rufus Wainwright The Sage Gateshead 19 April 2010
Review by Laura:
Undoubtedly like many others, I was introduced to Rufus Wainwright’s music around 7 years ago via the Shrek sound track which features his rather lovely version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” This prompted me to research more of his work and five album purchases later I’d placed Rufus firmly onto my favourite artists list. Dad was issued with strict instructions to let me know if he was performing nearby at any time, so on Monday; admittedly several years later than I’d have liked, I finally got to see one of my heroes.
Before the performance we bumped into one of dad’s colleagues who was also there to see the show. He told us this was his third time seeing Rufus and his positive comments left me even more excited for the gig ahead.
After taking our seats, an announcement was put out stating:
“The first part of the program will be performed as a song cycle with visuals by Douglas Gordon. During the first set, Rufus has asked that you please do not applaud until after he has left the stage. His exit is part of the piece. After a brief intermission, Rufus will return for the second part of the show during which you may applaud to your heart’s content.”
Immediately after this Rufus slowly made his way onto the stage to an eerily silent audience. He was wearing what dad described as a long flowing cloak which dragged behind him as he walked. After some moments, which felt like they lasted longer than the entire first set, he finally reached his piano and began to perform a song cycle which lasted around an hour.
Despite the set being solely comprised of new material taken from his new album, “All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu”, I found it really easy to listen to. Indeed, it was a mixture of everything I most love about Wainwright. Simple vocal and piano arrangement, melodramatic lyrics, baroque trills, German Lieder structures and classic French song mixed with Elliot Smith-influenced folk rock. I thought he was possibly one of the most talented people I’d ever heard perform and I got similar feelings as I did the first time I heard Thom Yorke. As a former, all be it amateur, classical singer, I couldn’t believe the control in his rich baritone voice which seems to soar more powerfully than any recording I’ve heard has captured.
Although unfamiliar with the songs, the set was a perfect show case for the album. I enjoyed a selection of pieces which seemed to be Wainwrights adaptation of some Shakespearian sonnets. In typical Wainwright fashion, many of the songs also dealt with personal issues, one referring to his mother in hospital. I think the highlight though was a song which I think may be called “Who are you New York?” which was Wainwright at his flamboyant best.
After a short interval, Rufus returned, free of his twenty foot long feathered train, to enthusiastic applause which sounded odd after the audience’s silence during the first set. The second half was a selection of Rufus’ most well known piano based songs. These included “Beauty Mark”, one of his most early releases, “nobody’s off the Hook” my favorite song from the Release the Stars Album, “The Art Teacher” and “Dinner at Eight”, two of my favorite Wainwright tracks. He engaged in some, perhaps awkward banter with the crowd and gave a special mention to his former producer Neil Tennant who was in the audience.
After finishing on a lively version of “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk”, Wainwright returned to perform encores “Poses” and “Going to a Town.” He then thanked the audience for the support they’d shown him after his mother’s death and finished the evening with a rendition of Kate McGarrigol’s “Walking Song”.
I honestly think it was one of the most impressive concerts I’ve attended. Unfortunately dad didn’t share my view and didn’t seem to enjoy the evening as I had done. That’s a shame dad, as I can guarantee I will be dragging you to see Rufus Wainwright again the next time he tours.
setlist:
First Half: Song cycle
Second Half: Beauty Mark, Grey Gardens, Nobody’s Off The Hook, Matinee Idol, Memphis Skyline, Art Teacher, Leaving For Paris, Vibrate, Little Sister, Dinner At Eight, Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
Encores: Poses, Going To A Town, The Walking Song
ticket
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