Patrick Wolf at the Leadmill, Sheffield, 25th February

It seems over the release of his new 'pop' album and his constant ability to dress like a five year old, Patrick Wolf has been experiencing a bit of a kicking lately. Many fans are here tonight to see if the new material stands up to the old and if the singer can cut it in front of an intimate crowd. Yet as he bounds onto the stage dressed in shorts tighter than a 17 year-old girl’s mini skirt and grinning from ear to ear its hard not to be taken in by Wolf's charm.

Starting with the first track from The Magic Position, 'Overture' Wolf and his accompanying violinist are a little stiff, as he sticks to a strict playing standard. Yet as he moves into 'Paris' the powerful sample of strings along with Wolf's piano and violin help him to loosen showing the singer at his very best. Then as he performs the bold ‘Get Lost’ it feels Wolf would be more suited in larger surroundings as he settles for a laptop accompaniment as a replacement for a brass section.

However it appears Wolf’s stage presence is also as peculiar as his dress sense, as he stands confidently, (the singer has a surprisingly large frame) dominating over the audience. During 'Accident and Emergency' he smiles joyously fleeting around the stage beckoning for you to join him. At certain times his enthusiasm becomes so forceful it’s hard to distinguish if he’s caught in the moment or trying too hard. Yet as he encompasses the crowd's rapturous applause he suddenly changes, hiding behind his bright orange fringe muttering a softly spoken thank you.

Ending on his flattering rendition of Kelly Mane’s ‘Feels Like I’m in Love’ grinning similar a teenager on too much champagne Wolf bounds off stage, only to return moments later in a leopard skin hoodie. Then beginning his encore with ‘A Boy Like Me’ he finishes with the sugary pop tune of ‘The Magic Position’ making his mark through the bizarre dance routines created to the rhythms onstage.

Tonight as old songs blended with the new it appeared the darker days of Wind in the Wires were brushed aside for a more party atmosphere. When playing songs such as 'The Libertine' (the underdog hit of the night) Wolf also changed the atmosphere. Yet as he slowly strips encompassing a metal rod into his act for 'Tristan' its blatant to see Wolf is still happy to explore his previous material despite his new carefree attitude.

The show however does appear slightly less structured as Wolf decides the set list as the gig takes place. Many pauses were had over a laptop, with Wolf even ending 'Wind in the Wires' a mere thirty seconds in, due to the fact he hadn't seen a seagull in weeks. Now backed by a solid accompaniment of drums, violin and bass however, Wolf sometimes forgets he must follow some direction for the other players on stage as they try to adapt to his unstructured ways. At times he delays while trying to hit the right note or a certain chord but the majority of Wolf’s performance is fool proof, if an acquired taste.

As he prances around the stage, baring all its understandable how some people can find Patrick Wolf’s performance a little over the top. As he sings tracks from his latest album it appears he has taken a big and bold approach to his music even referring to this tour as his ‘Las Vegas Tour’. Yet, as shown through ‘Magpie’ Wolf can also display bare stripped down tracks showing his flawless vocals over swooping piano melodies. Proving that he can not only make the girls heart’s swoon but can also show the butchest man in the room how to have a good time.

Patrick Wolf will be supporting all UK dates with the Arcade Fire.


Patrick Wolf- Tristan
Patrick Wolf- Get Lost


Photos by Michelle Farrell