This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

28 October 2014

	BBC Homepage England

»	BBC Local Berkshire Things to do People & Places Nature History Religion & Ethics Arts and Culture BBC Introducing TV & Radio Sites near Berkshire Hampshire London Oxford Wiltshire Related BBC Sites England
	Contact Us

Reviews

Review: Rufus Wainwright

By Linda Serck
With a new album out the Canadian 'popera' singer visited Reading for a gig at the Hexagon. Let's just say that there's certainly more than meets the eye with this young man...

It's not every day you go to a gig and end up watching a strip show. But then, Rufus Wainwright isn't just your average performer. The veneer he displays is normal enough, strolling on stage in shiny black shoes, a waistcoat and cute red neckerchief. His music is certainly serious - infused with a poetic drama redolent of a masked ball with, residing in an anteroom, a strong-jawed troubadour flitting from guitar to piano in an intense flash of inspiration.

But by the end the gravitas of the music is balanced with what looks like the Rocky Horror Picture Show - judging by the animated shrieks from the sell-out crowd Wainwright knows how delight his fans with just the right measure of wackiness. More of that later!

Hints of his cookie costume style shows briefly when he turns his back to head to the piano after openers Crumb By Crumb, the jaunty dixieland tune, and Peach Trees, a mellifluous reflection on love, both off new album Want Two. Incongruous with his waistcoat and his 'popera' music his back reads: Let It Rock.

I'm not sure Wainwright could rock even if he wanted to, his voice sounding at times exhausted from hitting those sustained high notes and deciding to crack a little. His eminent charm however means we all just giggle - especially when the openly gay singer admits to his ditsiness tonight by saying "God knows I need a banana...in many ways". We also titter when the recorder player pharps out a few bum notes during Home Town Waltz, also off Want Two.

This isn't just a gig to promote Want Two however, playing a fair amount of songs off Poses and Want One - even throwing in his cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (on Shrek II soundtrack) and Lennon's Across The Universe.

And it isn't just his songs that entertain - it's his mini anecdotes, spoken in his camp lisp, that amuse. Be it his outlandish statement that John William Waterhouse, who's pre-Raphaelite painting style is the inspiration for the Want Two album cover, hails from Reading (he was born in Rome and lived in London) or his stories about showcasing his music to his overly-critical mum or playing as a child with his sister Martha - about whom the 18th century harpsichord-esque Little Sister is written.

At this point his attire is still the same, as is that of his band - two female backing singers, a keyboardist, a double bassist, a drummer, a guitarist and a pianist. Strolling back on for the encore, the samba beat-laden Old Whore's Diet gets Wainwright's hips swaying - when he rips off his neckerchief you think he's maybe a little hot.

But then you espy one of the female singers putting on a pair of frilly knickers and the drummer suddenly playing barechested with some frilly flourishes for his nipples. To the rhythm Wainwright removes his trousers to reveal a sequined thong and knee-length red and black socks. He shoves his feet into a pair of red stilettos, dons a rhinestone tiara and, the icing on the cake, slips on a Miss Reading sashay.

What a hoot! But it doesn't end there - returning for a second encore the band now don witches hats and black capes for Want One opener Oh What A World. "The only reason I did this is because I have a really nice ass", Wainwright exclaims, twisting round slowly to reveal his bethonged buttocks. Finishing off with I Don't Know What It Is, Vibrate and California the audience were whipped into a frenzy with all that pantomime spectacle. Yes, Wainwright isn't your average performer - his music may not need any embellishment, but clearly the boy can't help it. You come away knowing that Wainwright has given you his all - and you are irresistibly won over.

last updated: 15/04/05

Have Your Say

KEZ
caught the last show of the UK tour in Preston. Rufus is VERY candid and funny. great show and venue. will definitely be seeing him again.

Gordon, Middlesbrough
I too was at the sage this month, was the 3rd time I'd seen him live, I actually got the chance to have a brief chat with him at cardiff earlier this year, and what a charming man he was. All 4 of his albums are superb. He is the best thing to happen to music for years. Roll on Want Three (or whatever)

Mark. Tyne & Wear
I recently saw rufus at the sage in Gateshead...all I can say is...what a show!!! I was already a massive fan and knew the gig would be great, but my expectations were well and truely surpassed. The guys voice resonated around the hall, and the musicianship was faultless. The warmth and charisma Mr Wainwright emits makes it feel like a private show...and if you're not rolling around in fits of laughter by the end, then you surely have no soul!!! Go and see this guy...NOW!!!

Michaek
I am in love with this guy. He has enough Charisma to fill the Universe. Truley the best performer on the planet today. And there are some pretty good one's out there. Best Song - has to be - I don't know what it is/ Rebel Prince/ gay messiah, purely for the funny lyrics. GO SEE HIM IF YOU HAVEN'T, OTHERWISE YOU CAN'T CALL YOURSELF A FAN OF MUSIC. (UNLESS YOUR LAZY OR BROKE, BUT STILL THAT IS NO EXCUSE, YOU MUST SEE HIM).

Mike Label
Seen him three times in April/May this year and am gonna see him again five times again this November - and that's not nearly enough!! Why is it this genius has to play to just a few hundred people (then again I'm selfish enough to enjoy being able to share this with the few who understand)- but Rufus definately deserves more attention and commercial success! Madly in love: Mike from Germany

Laura Tohill
I first heard Rufus a few years ago on David Letterman doing his version of My Funny Valentine it was love at first listen I have been a huge fan ever since. Last year I went to a concert in Iowa city Iowa it was Rufus ala carte! I was totally amazed that one person could hold so many totaly captivated myself included.

Jean, South Croydon, Surrey
I've been to 3 concerts this year and have all his CD's. One of a rare breed of pure musical magic and genuine affection for his growing number of 'fans'. I've met him twice and he's always ready to talk without rushing off. Pure genius.

Rachel
I'm a newcomer to Rufus - heard 'Crumb by Crumb' on the radio, mentioned I liked it to my husband who the next day bought me Want Two album. From then on I have played Rufus's CD's everyday. I was Lucky enough to go to Oxford to see him Life. Pure genious writer, great entertainer, gorgeous and just well brilliant!

T.White
I totally agree with all the positive coments so far. Seen him before and due to see him again in Cardiff in june. An outstanding performer, dramatic, musical, emotional. Thoroughly enjoyable. Try it, you'll like it!

Daisy Bigwood
OH MY GOD. WHY IS THIS MAN NOT SELLING OUT WEMBLY OR THE LIKE???!! SERIOUSLY!!! PEOPLE DONT KNOW WHAT THEY'RE MISSING. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. I CANT REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I LAUGHED SO HARD!!! PLUS ITS SO INTERESTING SEEING WHAT HIS AUDIENCE IS LIKE, AND ATLEAST 50% MUST BE GAY. RUFUS, YOU TOTALLY TOTALLY ROCK, I'VE SEEN YOU TWICE AND ILL BE BACK NEXT MONTH. YOU MUST SEE THIS GUY, FOR SURE.

HilsE
I first saw Rufus at the Lowry in April, awe-struck ever since!! /seeing hinm in Cardiff 27th June can't wait!! well worth waiting for!!

Jonathan
A friend of mine is coming over from the States in May and she got me into Rufus and has seen him 10's of times already and has had albums signed personally by him. We're due to see him in Oxford I think on the 13th May. The above review has certainly whet my appetite and can't wait to see him.