The best way I can think to describe Patrick Wolf is this: if you took a reincarnated Freddie Mercury and raised him in a Cabaret theater listening only to Madonna, Bowie, and Andrew Bird, you might get something like Patrick, a British musician from London whose theatrics are as much a part of the show as the actual music behind it. Though it was perhaps considered at times even over the top, I’m a big fan of the melodrama.
Download: Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position
Patrick came out first dressed with a kite wrapped around him and explained it was for “The Windy City.” Not only does he have a delicious sort of voice but he creates pop songs that easily and happily get stuck in your brain. Skirting along gender lines as much as a young Morrissey would, he also presents as a more sincere and good natured Kevin Barnes (from Of Montreal). Backed by four other musicians - a violinist, stand up bassist, drummer, and someone using samples on a laptop - Patrick performed with quite a few instruments of his own including keyboard and violin. He demonstrated a great charisma along with his sense of timing and even though he wasn’t technically the only one on stage, it was difficult to remember this fact. The audience also seemed not to tear their eyes away from him during his 90 minute set, which included two encores performed in a costume that looked as if it were a cross between a male version of Marie Antoinette and a British solder during the Revolutionary War.
Adored by those crowded close to the stage, Patrick’s fans proved to be about as young as he is, at a mere 24. It’s clear they sense the passion in his vocals and I couldn’t help wonder if they were sensing the same feelings of undying love as British teenagers in the 80s watching Robert Smith play. Either way, Patrick’s engaging sense of gentleness combined with pop sensibility was enough to endear them. Considering how young he is, the fact that 2007’s The Magic Position is actually is third studio full length is impressive indeed. Higlights of the night included “Overture,” “The Magic Position” “Accident & Emergency” and “Magpie.”
Comments