Rufus Wainwright sparkles with “Going to a Town” solo tour at Chapman

Photo Courtesy of Musco Center for the Arts

The 1,044-seat auditorium at Musco Center for the Arts presents a daunting challenge for any solo act, but if Rufus Wainwright was intimidated, he didn’t show it. 

Taking the stage in a sequin blazer with shoes to match, Wainwright’s performance with just a microphone, piano and guitar was no less impactful than if he’d had an entire ensemble on stage with him. Wainwright entered the stage with a modest bow and immediately sat at the piano, starting his performance with no introduction besides some of the most flooring vocals I have ever heard.

Of the many words to describe Wainwright’s performance, the most glaring to me was “multifaceted.” In between haunting songs filled with melancholy, Wainwright was consistently finding ways to make the audience laugh through quips about LA vs Orange County or anecdotes of making music in faraway places. 

One of the songs he performed, “Old Song,” is his newest work, not yet released. His stage presence was impressive, outmatched only by his raw talent. 

Within the many dichotomies of his performance, there stood one simple truth: Rufus Wainwright is a generational talent. 

Moving onto guitar after the first three songs on piano, Wainwright kept it simple, standing alone at center stage and opting not to use a guitar pick. He had the audience wrapped around each finger-pluck of his guitar strings — moving them with each song, engaging them with each anecdote and captivating them with his remarkable artistry. His command of the stage was both passionate and fearless, and his talent spoke for itself.

My favorite songs of the night were “Sanssouci” and “The Art Teacher,” played on guitar and piano, respectively. Both songs were hauntingly beautiful, conjuring images of faraway places and other lives, while underscoring his musical brilliance. Wainwright’s talent is impossible to convey in words, though it revealed itself in every note. His voice has an extraordinary three-dimensional quality, and his ability to project while maintaining total control is nothing short of astounding to any listener. 

Wainwright’s lyricism has a sort of storytelling quality, allowing his songs to depict scenes from his own life, along with what feels like a hundred past lives. He is an artist with many stories to tell, and over his career has curated a polished, mature and overall breathtaking sound to tell them.  

With a background in folk music and a career spanning 10 studio albums, two operas, several film soundtrack credits and collaborations with artists from Elton John to Miley Cyrus, Wainwright has truly done it all, and it shows in every aspect of his performance. 

With a sound comparable to artists like Jeff Buckley, Wilco and Fleet Foxes, Wainwright’s live performance manages to stay in a league of its own with his unique ability to jump between genres and perspectives. 

Following a standing ovation after the initial performance, Wainwright returned to the stage for a much-anticipated encore, in which he sang the tour’s titular track, “Going to a Town,” and “Hallelujah.” 

The former presents a critical and weary perspective on the political direction of the United States and a desire to move forward as a nation, which Wainwright alluded to multiple times throughout his performance, sometimes confronting head-on by discussing gay rights and gun laws, advocating for reform and unity.

Wainwright’s rendition of “Hallelujah”— the version made famous in the film Shrek — offered a classic song brought to life on stage through his awe-inspiring vocals. It was the perfect final song, allowing the audience to bear witness to an artist whose voice and vision continue to echo beyond the stage.

By the end of the 90-minute performance, the audience was sad to see him leave, and remained standing and clapping long after he was gone. Wainwright’s performance delivered more than just a concert; it was an intimate showcase of wit, talent and artistic maturity. 

It proved that sometimes the most magnificent things in life are the simplest, and that stage presence isn’t always defined by spectacle. The magnitude of his talent was amplified by his willingness to be vulnerable, reminding the audience why he continues to stand as one of the most compelling artists of his generation.