Crazy Like A Wolf
Patrick Wolf is performing his last tour with his current material, he remarks that some of the songs, such as 'Pigeon Song' have been with him live for 6 years and it's now time to move on, so tonight he dedicates this very track as a postcard home to London, a city which he's finally leaving to move to Brighton. A change is always welcome but the crowd cling to the sweeping violins of the tender track and grasp every note of the set tonight, fearing that they may not hear Patrick's lilting voice for a while as he reinvents himself.
The quirky libertine kicks off with a spine-tingling rendition of 'Ouverture' with his viola mingling with his violin accompanist's saccharine notes to cast a primordial spell over the audience. The introduction, a variation on French childrens' song, "Frère Jacques" shows off Wolf's love of traditional stories and his deep booming voice that reverberates across the small venue.
After his alleged announcement to NME earlier this year that he would be retiring, and a MySpace blog insulting Mika, who he supported at Somerset House, Wolf has earned himself a name as a bit of a diva, not least because his dress sense is so eccentric and unique. A few tracks in this issue is raised as some low level noise (perhaps just bar staff chatting) causes the singer to ask fans to "put their ears, not their mouths" where their money is, which is responded to with a friendly, "diva" heckle, which Wolf takes in good heart. Infact, we see nothing stroppy or demanding in the young artist tonight as he laughs off guitar problems during and reminds the audience that he's there for whatever they want, offering a choice of organ or viola for one track. Although his communication with the audience was somewhat hindered by his inability to decipher the Glasgwegian, "I thought you wasnae gunna [play a new song]", which he translated as "I thought you were a Guinness" and remained rather baffled about.
Nevermind, there are indeed new songs, one glitzy piano affair about a boy who's a whore and another tune, 'Hard Times' which is an impassioned number played on guitar with plenty of political vitriol. Wolf lets on that the new material will leaving behind his exploration of the optimism of love and cast him more as a bachelor.
The acoustic set, accompanied only by violinist Victoria has a wonderfully intimate and friendly feel, despite the gravitas and grandeur of the songs. 'Bluebells' is stunning as ever, while the visceral, 'Tristan' is a highlight despite the guitar tuning problems. There are a fair few tracks from new album, 'The Magic Position' such as 'Augustine' and 'Get Lost' but they're already fan favourites.
Wolf really shows off his sense of humour, appearing for the encore dressed in something that resembles a large nappy and a blue wig, removing strands of beads, his shows, the nappy and the wig during a Spice Girls/Leona Lewis medley, it's a peculiar sight but the boy is a genius. Thankfully he leaves on a slightly more conventional note, wishing us a Happy Christmas and closing with the upbeat pop tune, 'The Magic Position'.