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January 26, 2016 by Simon Sweetman

Stubs: #181 – Rufus Wainwright, Wellington, 2010

rufusI come and go with Rufus Wainwright – love his voice, and some of his songs, but sometimes I get a bit over the pantomime and pomp aspects. That said, this show was stunning. I had interviewed him earlier and he was great to chat to – I remember being a bit worried he’d be prickly and/or disinterested. He was engaged and engaging and fun to chat with – he was sad about the death of his mother, still (it had cancelled the show earlier in the year) but now the performance was a tribute to her incorporating his album of the time, a suite of songs dedicated to her which he performed in silence throughout the first half.stubbox3

There were signs up telling people to not talk and the audience respected this and sat in silence. No applause between songs, 50 minutes of only hearing solo piano and that soaring voice. It was amazing.
At the interval there was a rush of excitement, strangers talking to one another; just the chance to speak again, to talk about what they’re seen and heard – as way of processing it –and just a feeling, too, of being let off the hook.

Then we returned for the “hits” and generous banter. It was a great show.

I don’t think I’ve really listened to Wainright since – apart from when he opened for Paul Simon. Also a good effort – in somewhat more trying conditions.
RufushasStubs is an occasional feature here at Off The Tracks – looking back through the ticket-stub box and remembering how the show went down. 

Posted in Blog, Miscellany and tagged with 2010, Gig Review, Kate McGarrigle, Live, MFC, Rufus Wainwright, Solo, Stub, Stubs, Stubs: #181 – Rufus Wainwright, Wellington, Wgtn. RSS 2.0 feed.
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Off The Tracks is the home of Sweetman Podcast, a weekly interview/chat-based pod. It's also home to my reviews across film, TV, music and books and some creative writing as well.

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