Rufus Wainwright couples slick production with laid-back style in Unfollow the Rules: The Paramour Session live on Facebook

We may never become accustomed to the concept of a live concert without the rumbling thunder of applause or a performer’s calculatedly choreographed showmanship. Baroque-pop artist Rufus Wainwright, however, managed to conjure an essence of glitz and glamour for his fans to enjoy in the comfort of their homes during his latest Facebook live performance.

Entitled Unfollow the Rules: The Paramour Session, Wainwright stood in LA’s illustrious Paramour Estate, adorned by a silk robe and a brooch given to him by the late Carrie Fisher. Wainwright is one of the musicians who has spent the majority of lockdown singing for fans on social media in sessions he dubbed #Quarantunes. He continues the newfound tradition of wearing a robe during this live show.

Guest musicians, including a string quartet, guitarist and pianist, sat behind him donning black masks as he opened the performance with a coronavirus-inspired song he says nearly brought him to tears. The camera panned in and around him as he effortlessly hit every note despite the mostly informal atmosphere.

He followed the intro with fan favourite Sword of Damocles, which he stated applies to much of the world during these unprecedented times, amongst other hits from his previous albums. He continued on to preview his upcoming studio album Unfollow the Rules, which is released on 10^th July. The new tracks included You Ain’t Big, which Wainwright claims pokes a bit of fun at himself, and Trouble in Paradise.

One can always see Wainwright’s passion for music as he performs, whether he is dressed in a house robe or donning a full-blown suit at the Royal Albert Hall. This live performance brought a raw, acoustic element to an otherwise clean-cut, studio sound.

Kari Megeed
Photo: Tony Hauser

For further information and future events visit Rufus Wainwright’s website here.

Watch the video for Sword of Damocles here: