If you arrive a bit late to a Rufus Wainwright show during his European tour, you risk being the only person clapping during the performance. Why? The singer asks before the show starts that people refrain from applauding during his first set.
Wainwright is a very conceptual artist just off his experience writing and performing an opera. His new tour takes a page from that book too. He has developed a show with visual artist Douglas Gordon.
A spokesperson posted this message on the musician’s website: "Rufus has asked us to pass on this message to everyone attending his shows on the tour. The first part of the program will be performed as a song cycle with visuals by Douglas Gordon. During the first set, Rufus has asked that you please do not applaud until after he has left the stage. His exit is part of the piece. After a brief intermission, Rufus will return for the second part of the show during which you may applaud to your heart’s content. Please also refrain from photography during the first set."
Now based in New York, the Montreal singer is in England and Ireland until April 29. He returns to London on June 12 to play at the Meltdown Festival. He will pay tribute to his late mother, Kate McGarrigle, who died recently from cancer.