Rufus Wainwright Live Review @ The Lowry (Manchester) - 14 Apr 2005
Photo:Yelena Yemchuk link
Live Review
Last year Elton John declared that Rufus Wainwright was the greatest songwriter on the planet. Quite a profound statement from the king of pop himself. This was presumably based on hearing 2004's Want One, followed earlier this year by the groundbreaking opus, Want Two. The latter is one of the greatest albums this side of Led Zeppelin's 'Four Symbols' and Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon'. Right now he's blasting away his contemporaries with a unique brand of classically orientated pop. He has no competition when it comes to boundless natural talent. In addition he is an outstanding live performer and showman. His recent appearance at the Lowry consolidated his much vaunted credentials. Stunning only serves to demean what I experienced this night. Lifting most of the setlist from the above albums, Wainwright, son of folk legend Loudon Wainwright 111, nephew of Anna McGarrigle, and brother of equally talented Martha, he brilliantly showcased the masterpiece in just under two hours. Backed by his fabulous six-piece band, the 'gay icon' held court in outrageously camp manner, which at times proved to very disarming. For one who's known for his overt flamboyance, he initially seemed quite subdued, but by the end he would turn up the heat.
With his boyish good looks, Wainwright is a marketing man's dream, and by the reception he received, you swear he was #1 in the singles charts. But that's not his bag: this guy is one hell of a serious musician with a great sense of humour, as we would later discover. His music is inspirational, innovative and avante garde to and extreme, and never bends to fashion. Lyrically he's revealing, profound, honest and risqué:and he knows how to get it over. There is never a throw away song on the albums, and it's not wasted in his live shows either. The songs make the hairs on your neck standup. When the music kicks-in it unsettles you to the extent you break out into a cold sweat, and many times I was emotionally moved to tears. Such is the overwhelming effect. Switching from acoustic guitar to piano, he delicately handled both like a treasured pet, gently stroking the strings and carefully tinkling the ivories. His rendition of Halleluiah was simply breathtaking, as were Memphis Skyline and Waiting For A Dream. During the encore the self-proclaimed 'Great International Superstar' stripped off to his undies, cast a 'Miss Manchester' sash, donned a fairy's wings as he belted out Old Whore's Diet in pure exhibitionism.
An epic night, and a high watermark of a musician on top of his game, who has single headedly changed the possibilities of popular music.
In context, Want One and Two are as groundbreaking as Pet Sounds(Beach Boys) Sgt. Peppers (Beatles)Odelay(Beck)and Forever Changes (Love). For those who've never heard of him, it's time to make contact with the next 21st century superstar.
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