BY NELL ALK
Goths, hipsters, the middle-aged, teenaged types and everything in between formed a line along Bleecker Street last night in anticipation of the 10 p.m. Patrick Wolf show at (le) Poisson Rouge. Finally, after much frustration (and some confusion created when the previous performance let out) attendees were ushered into the stage area and scrambled to secure seats.
Referred to on (l)PR's website as “An Evening with Patrick Wolf,” guests had to assume that tonight's event would be dissimilar from most shows. Lofty title, but assuredly accurate, as this was no ordinary, raucous, audible assault; Wolf’s hour plus-long acoustic set proved pure, raw and engaging. Different from his records, we witnessed something rare from Wolf -- an intimate and moving solo set, stripped of production beyond his multi-instrumentation. Solo’s a stretch, though, as indeed he shared the stage with his trusty -- and gifted -– violinist, Veronica. But, for all intents and purposes, this South London-based 6’4” 25-year-old peroxide-and-pomade-worshipping talent ruled the roost sans electronic contributions.
Over the course of the set, Wolf showcased his skills on the piano, the viola, the dulcimer, the electric guitar and, of course, he won us over with his vocal delivery and deeply personal, narrative lyrics. His emotive voice, with its remarkable range and power to mesmerize an entire room truly takes the cake. His singing and his eccentric fashion sensibilities (essentially, his overall aesthetic) combined with his gracious and appreciative not to mention downright hilarious personality (“Do I have camel toe?!” he at one point asked the crowd) won us over.
Among the numbers performed, many were plucked from albums past; “Pigeon Song” and “The Childcatcher,” off of his debut album Lycanthropy (2003), “Wind in the Wires,” title track off the disc of the same name (2005) and “Augustine” and “The Magic Position,” a rollicking track that invited clapping along from the audience, from, you guessed it, The Magic Position (2007). Perhaps more notable than looking back, Wolf focused on the future, giving us a sneak preview of his forthcoming release, The Bachelor, the first in a two part series due to drop digitally June 2nd and on CD come August 11th. Standout tracks included “Oblivion,” with which he opened, “Damaris,” “The Sun is Often Out,” “Theseus,” “Blackdown” (a bare-bones familial devotion-themed number) and “Who Will?” He reserved for the encore what few would dispute to be his most recognizable single of late. He and Veronica bounded back into the room and proceeded to play a song perhaps better known for its provocative, S&M-inspired video: “Vulture.” A bit disarming to hear without the mechanized details, it was still easily deciphered and met with ample accolades. He even sported his signature vulture cape complete with faux feathers and “shoulder pads,” the likes of which we haven’t seen since Designing Women went off the air.
Wolf returns to the States this summer for his headlining tour in support of The Bachelor and is supposed to pass through New York on June 23rd. Prepare to be impressed.
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