The Opera House Concert Hall was the idyllic setting for the collection of voices on this very large bill tonight. Rufus Wainwright surrounds himself with great talent like a magpie gathers bright shiny objects. With two singers like Teddy Thompson and Krystle Warren in his touring band, the glow from the stage almost required sunglasses to allow viewing.
Warren was the opening act tonight and her short, moving, and incredible set was worth the price of admission. Speaking of vocal ability, Australia’s own Megan Washington followed and she continues to blossom as a performer each time she graces a stage. Apologising for her gloomy songs (with a smile) she promised she would work on changing her songwriting as she launched into yet another one about dire love affairs.
These were the entrees before the big salami himself, Rufus Wainwright, exploded onto the Opera House stage. Dressed in his white wedding suit and matching white sunglasses you could feel a sense of happiness emanating from his being.
Opening with a sober and beautiful “Candles”, a poppy “Rashida” and “Barbara” (all from his latest record Out Of The Game), you knew he expected the audience to know his recent release.
Over the next couple of hours Wainwright performed, sang, played the piano and made us laugh at the expense of Liza Minnelli, Canberra and Mitt Romney. Wainwright has the art of the pop show down to perfection, as well as having popular music writing under his thumb.
“Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk” was lapped up by his fans and the Judy Garland song “The Man That Got Away” was hauntingly beautiful .For the encore, Wainwright disappeared off stage and a buff cupid in a loin cloth came on with the band in various costumes to bring ‘ Rufus Apollo’ (as cupid called him) back to the stage.
With some music and pleading by cupid, the somewhat confused audience were prompted to our feet to help ‘Rufus Apollo’ return, and return he did – dressed in a revealing white loin cloth and a blonde wig, the show took a turn for the silly.
Wainwright gathered up a dozen people throughout the audience to conga onto the stage. From then on in he engaged with a human size salami sandwich while closing the night out in song and celebration and a bit of dancing.
A weird cabaret ending to a Sunday night, but hardly a black mark on the thrilling set of tunes and musicians that lit up the lives of those in attendance. OK, maybe Teddy Thompson in his underwear and a singlet looking a bit bemused was over the top, but hey, Wainwright is paying the bills. That was all the messiah had for us, but sure as anything, he will rise again.
-Paul Busch
