Rufus Wainwright, Auckland NZ, 2019

Rufus Wainwright

2nd March 2019
The Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand

Reviewed by Sarah Kidd.

Rufus Wainwright celebrated the 20th Anniversary of his debut album last night in style, an enraptured Auckland audience more than happy to be along for the ride.

Serving as a delightful aperitif to the evening, Wainwright’s own keyboardist Rachel Eckroth delivered a succinct but impressive opening set that combined songs from her two albums Let Go and When It Falls. With a distinctly out of this world vibe which matched her voice that seemed to originate from the same place it was an ideal way to begin the show.

Wainwright’s All My Poses tour has been receiving rave reviews around the globe and while there may have been a few fans in the room last night who had dug their heels in and refused to read any of them, most knew just what Wainwright would be bringing to the table and their excitement almost bubbled over as they burst into enthusiastic applause and whoops of adoration the moment he entered the stage.

Adorned in a pinstripe suit and whimsical top hat, Wainwright – surrounded by his exceedingly talented band of five musicians – began the night with a set comprised of songs from his debut album; ‘April Fools’ soon melding into a wonderful version of ‘Barcelona’ and Wainwrights’ own interpretation of ‘Danny Boy’ which he played while seated at a grand piano. Slowly the hat and jacket were both discarded revealing a gold sequinned tank top that showered the stage with glittering light at the slightest movement of Wainwright who in his own dry humoured way was busy pointing out to the audience that yes he knew he looked like a surfer, even though he doesn’t surf; the tongue in cheek comment related to the small patches of sunburn on his arms that he had received thanks to a day trip out to our very own Piha.

He spoke about Leonard Cohen (Wainwright’s daughter is Cohen’s granddaughter) and jested how the late singer must have been “obsessed” with him due to the fact that he listened to Wainwright’s track ‘Sally Ann’ for two days straight adding that he remembered fondly how they had both dined on oysters together in Wellington and that he was looking forward to remembering him there again tomorrow night. The consummate storyteller also spoke of his mother – the famous folk singer Kate McGarrigle and how both her support and her criticisms shaped his early music, the song ‘Beauty Mark’ one that she had particularly adored, Wainwright going on to perform it with a reverence befitting of both her legacy and her love.

Bringing the first half of the evening to a close, Wainwright performed both a wondrous cover of the Joni Mitchell track ‘Both Sides, Now’ which exhibited just how extensive his vocal range is, the emotion in his performance overflowing but never to the point of being farcical; and ‘The Sword of Damocles’, originally inspired by his now late friend Carrie Fisher it was the only new music to grace the venue, but what music it was.

The second half of the evening which followed a short but welcomed intermission was filled to the brim with outstanding musical composition, dramatic flair and just a touch of expected but understandable self-indulgence. Emerging from side of stage in a spectacular jewel and sequin encrusted coat, Wainwright once again began at the piano with a playful version of ‘Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk’ from his sophomore album Poses. Having seemingly got out all his story telling and witty anecdotes in the first half, the second was all about the music, each song flowing through to the next as Wainwright moved between the piano and acoustic guitar at the front of the stage.

His vocals seemed to only increase in dexterity, bathed in pinks and purples courtesy of the well-balanced stage lighting, they filled the room, the audience hanging on every line, ‘The Tower of Learning’ leaving many completely spellbound. Each song was lovingly laid out before the audience, Wainwright’s band who included such names as Matt Johnson of Jeff Buckley on drums and guitarist as well as musical director Gerry Leonard – who is revered for his work with the late David Bowie – providing the prodigious backbone to the entire concert.

His cover of ‘One Man Guy’ written by his own father Louden Wainwright III, performed solo at the piano was both poignant and the calm before the storm as Wainwright – who had by now shed the ostentatious coat in favour of a jet black feathered cloak – was then bathed in blood red for ‘Evil Angel’ which brought the room to its knees. The complete Poses album played in it’s entiriety more than any fan could have dared to dream about.

An encore consisting of another track from his debut album (‘Imaginary Love’) and ‘Going to a Town’ from his 2007 record Release the Stars was concluded with an inspirational cover of The Beatles melody ‘Across the Universe’, several fans joining Wainwright on stage to sing as his choir while the rest of the audience formed one of their own at Wainwright’s encouragement, his satin red bomber jacket making him the heart of the room that sang as one.

Considering what the first twenty years of Wainwright’s career has given the world, one can only imagine what pleasures the next twenty will bring.

Editors Note: Due to the unethical attempt by Rufus Wainwright and his management  (Little Empire Music) to acquire all photographers images for any use with no compensation, we have decided to not cover this show photographically. Ambient Light stands in solidarity with the need for photographers to be compensated for their work when used for commercial purposes, and to not sign ‘rights grab’ styled contracts. For more information you can view this story on The Music Photographers Network.

Were you there at the Auckland Town Hall to witness this superb Pop show? Or have you seen Rufus Wainwright live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Setlist:

Part One:

• April Fool’s
• Barcelona
• Danny Boy
• Foolish Love
• Sally Ann
• In My Arms
• Millbrook
• Beauty Mark
• Both Sides, Now [Joni Mitchell cover]
• The Sword Of Damocles

Part Two:

• Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk
• Greek Song
• Poses
• Shadows
• California
• The Tower Of Learning
• Grey Gardens
• Rebel Prince
• The Consort
• One Man Guy [Loudon Wainwright III cover]
• Evil Angel
• In A Graveyard
• Imaginary Love [encore]
• Going To A Town [encore]
• Across The Universe [The Beatles cover – encore]

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