Patrick Wolf - Deaf Institute, Manchester, 10/5/2016
by Harry Sherriff
published: 16 / 6 / 2016
intro
Harry Sherriff watches Patrick Wolf play an unusual but compelling set at the Deaf Institute in Manchester
I entered the Deaf Institute to the strange sounds of Calpernia Addams, playing the autoharp. There is nothing conventional about Patrick Wolf and his support acts are no different. Calpernia, a transgender activist, told witty stories in-between songs and if she wasn’t a musician I’m sure she could be a fine stand up comedienne. I was sceptical of the stripped-down vocals and autoharp but by the last song I wanted more. I’ll be sure to track down any recordings online. Patrick was late to the stage by 30 minutes and going by other reviews of the Wild Sound tour this isn’t an anomaly. It’s frustrating because unless you’re a long-time, big fan of Mr Wolf (I’m not) it starts the gig off on a negative and the artist has to win you back in my opinion. Wolf did this very early on by playing two songs on his own before welcoming on his drummer and bassist. I had seen Patrick play a few years back in the Scandinavian church in Liverpool. It was an unforgettable gig because the venue and gig seemed totally befitting. He must have played nearly ten different instruments that night. Highlights from the Deaf Institute gig include 'The Bachelor', 'The Bluebell', 'To the Lighthouse; (Patrick is a huge Virginia Woolf fan) and a really dark bassy version of 'Tristan' that actually reminded me of Kanye West’s 'Black Skinheads', which I’m sure Patrick wouldn’t appreciate. Unfortunately renditions of 'Hard Times', 'Magic Position' or 'The City' were not to be, and it’s clear that Patrick Wolf is happy for those songs to fall away to a certain extent. He’s a very unusual artist. Over the years he’s walked away from major labels and has decided to become a more intimate artist. A man with his talent could take over the music industry if he was that inclined but in a culture where ubiquity is celebrated Wolf continues to reinvent himself and most importantly go his own way. It’s frustrating when an artist you admire doesn’t play your favourite songs, but then I guess it’s all the more pleasing when you slowly realise why. It’s because he’s Patrick Wolf. Photos by Marie Hazelwood http://mariehazelwood.tumblr.com
Also at Deaf Institute, Manchester
Band Links:-
http://patrickwolf.org/https://www.facebook.com/patrickwolf/
https://twitter.com/_PATRICK_WOLF
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
St Phillips Church, Manchester, 19/12/2013 |
Harry Sherriff watches Patrick Wolf, with his equipment falling apart on him, play a playful but remarkable and unique set at St Phillips Church in Manchester |
Patrick Wolf |
photography |
Photoscapes (2014) |
Marie Hazelwood photographs singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wolf at a gig at the Scandinavian Church in Liverpool |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Madeline Bell - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Jimmy Nail - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Deep Purple - =1
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Jules Winchester - The Journey
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart