Live Review: Rufus Wainwright, Lucy Wainwright Roche

It was perfect weather – great to piss off Fred Nile for Mardi Gras and as a backdrop for Rufus Wainwright.

Wainwright’s half-sister Lucy Wainwright Roche gave a short, sharp support set, chatting between folky tunes with a sweet self-deprecating style. She seemed genuinely surprised she had fans in the house and certainly gained a few more (particularly with previewed new tunes written with half-sister Martha).

After a short break Rufus Wainwright began with Grey Gardens, as the kookaburras overhead in the trees started singing. He followed with The Maker Makes, his contribution to the Brokeback Mountain soundtrack, which was just stunning. Wainwright switched between piano and guitar throughout the night, with the latter a bit clunky (the lyrics of Out Of The Game fitting with the fumbling, though). References to the parties happening on the other side of the harbour were well meaning – “I’m on this side while Kylie and Jake Shears are playing Mardi Gras on the other side of the water,” he laughed.

The tour was to promote Wainwright’s Best Of collection, Vibrate (the title track sounded flawless tonight), but he couldn’t help himself, adding new tracks from his upcoming opera recording and a brand new song written for little sister opener, Lucy’s Blue. For the relatively new Liza And Me, Wainwright Roche took the stage in bad costume as Ms Minnelli and, despite looking ridiculous, she sounded amazing. The pair continued for a couple more duets before the ghost of Judy returned as a bloke in Dorothy drag. Next was Gay Messiah, Zebulon, which drew out nearby seals who started gently barking to the piano, and Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk. For the encore Wainwright Roche returned and the pair knocked Pretty Things out of the park, while Rufus Wainwright remained king with his soaring versions of Hallelujah and Poses. Gorgeous.