Rufus Wainwright at the Avalon - 8/21

As another part of my big graduation gift package, I got tickets to see Rufus Wainwright down in Boston. I have been a Rufus fan for a bit more than a year, and I've always loved the diverse rhythms and lyrics from his music, so I was really excited to see him perform.

A Fine Frenzy and The Magic Numbers opened up for Rufus. I'd say that A Fine Frenzy was fairly mediocre when it came to originality. The band is based around female vocalist Alison, but it just sounded too much like other female vocalists that have been around for a while. After seeing Jesca Hoop, I've had great difficulty being convinced that there is anything greater than her right now.

The Magic Numbers is a four-piece indie band from London. Though they were very talented and original, I couldn't really get into them. It's probably one of those bands I have to listen for quite a few times, and then I'll get it. They seemed to be a crowd-pleaser, so I will definitely take a deeper look into their music.

For a while, I had the impression that Rufus is a very melancholic and dark person. A lot of his songs are either sad or cynical, so I thought this would show in his stage presence, but I was proven wrong. He was so energetic and upbeat! I absolutely loved his stage presence. He often expressed his homosexuality in a light-hearted way that made everyone in the stage smile and have a good laugh. All in all, he just appeared a very fun guy.

I have always loved Rufus' voice. He has been my favorite vocalist since I first heard him in late 2005. His voice is simply beautiful and delightful, and it really shined at the show.

The instrumentation was great as well. There was a grand piano planted in the middle with musicians surrounding on each side. Rufus only played on the piano once in a while, but when he did, he displayed exquisite piano skills with harmonious chords and fluttering melodies. A saxophonist/flautist, trumpeter, and French Horn player were on high risers to the right of the drummer. What wonderfully talented instrumentalists. They all had solos at some point, and their high musical skill really showed at those moments. The guitarists and the one bassist (who did upright and electric) were fantastic, too. It's really wonderful when someone can bring so many talented musicians together to make beautiful sounds, and Rufus Wainwright did just that.

To my joy and disappointment, Rufus mostly played songs from his latest album Release the Stars. I have still yet to completely settle in with the album, but the live renditions of the songs made me like them ever more. "Going to a Town", the single, was already an obvious favorite, but when he played "Between My Legs", I was really wowed. I had listened to the song before, but I guess I hadn't fully realized the richness of it before. During the song, a woman was invited to dance to it and recite the narration near the end.

There was a 20 minute intermission after about 45 minutes of playing. I was a little disappointed about the intermission, because it was taking away from the time that I could see Rufus play, but the wait seemed all worth it when he came out in his own, personalized lederhousen from Germany. He performed two songs by Judy Garland. Though I've never been big on Judy Garland, the songs were nicely done, and he seemed to play them really well.

One of my favorite songs of the night was "Beautiful Child" from his 2003 album, Want One. It was the last song I heard before I had to leave for Portland on Concord Trailways. It was a great way to end the show for me. Unfortunately, the show went on a little longer, but it satisfied me to hear that song as I left.

I will definitely have to catch Rufus Wainwright again, because he writes and performs charming songs with beautiful vocals and instrumentation. I would have liked to hear more songs from Poses, Want One, and his self-titled album, but hearing the new songs made me grow greater appreciation for them.