I had the good fortune to be able to catch Rufus Wainwright at Belfast’s Waterfront last night. It’s the second time I’ve seen him perform at this venue and the third time in total that I’ve seen him – his acoustic set at last years Electric Picnic festival was one of the highlights of the weekend.
The extravagant gentleman and his fine array of backing musicians did not let us down. Together they projected a sound that, you’d like to think, the Waterfront Hall was exclusively designed to accommodate. His voice is a priceless instrument of which he has total control. A three-piece horn section alongside guitars, bass and drums backed him. Rufus himself shifted between piano and acoustic guitar throughout and also indulged in the occasional old-style crooner moment.
The set focused heavily on his recent ‘Release The Stars’ album, with ventures into the ‘Poses’ and ‘Want’ albums. There was also the occasional hat-tip to his Irish heritage. This was most vividly realised during a show-stopping version of ‘Macushla’ (Irish for ‘Heartthrob’), which he dedicated to one of his favourite singers, legendary Irish vocalist John McCormack. Rufus stepped away from the mic and let the fine acoustics of the room work their magic.
The most jaw-dropping highlight of the night was undoubtedly the Judy Garland sections. Last year Rufus re-created in its entirety Judy Garland’s 1961 Carnegie Hall concert. The self-proclaimed ‘Gay Messiah’ covering such an iconic figure within a faction of the gay community may sound a bit too predictable. But to see it before your very eyes is to see something that will live long in the memory. His rendition of ‘A Foggy Day’ was flawless. I don’t think the audience breathed throughout the song.
Rufus took it to the other extreme for the encore. Dressed in a white robe, he seated himself, put his lippy on (as you do). The lights dimmed in the room. When they came on again Judy Garland greeted us circa 1961, suited in a dinner jacket, top hat, tights and heels! It was Rufus at his most camp and self-indulgent. I honestly didn’t think his encore in Belfast two years ago would be topped – ‘Oh What a World’ in red stilettos and angel wings – but I was wrong. Here he was, with legs many women would kill for, strutting around to ‘Get Happy’, with his band suited and booted as backing dancers. It truly was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen at a concert, and I’ve seen Bob Dylan dance!!
Where next for Rufus? Do we dare even try to imagine? It’ll be fun finding out, that’s for sure!
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