Patrick Wolf And Friends Transcend Space And Time

There's a travelling music show out there that transcends space and time. Its first part comes from some geeky dance-rock kids called Young Fluxx who nervously riff electric guitars and show off on their futuristic techno-gadgets. Then, a Indian dance-folk princesses called Bishi completely wows audiences with a unique concoction of traditional Indian beats, sitar, electro, sex and attitude.

Finally, and most amazing of all, an indie pop prince from a far away land called Patrick Wolf sucks his audience into the past with gender-bending costumes from a romantic era and delicate piano compositions, then blasts them forward into the future with electro-pop beats, dancing, orchestration, stripteases and streamers.

Such a spectacle happened in Toronto last Saturday night, contrary to Wolf's quiet claim that, "Believe it or not, I'm feeling shy tonight." But he didn't let this hold him back as he pranced onto the stage in full Beethoven get-up. Sparkling with gold and silver glitter from head-to-toe, the lanky singer was a breathtaking sight for both boys and girls, flirtingly staring down his not-quite-a-full-house audience with the enthusiastic opener, "Get Lost."

Wolf went on to play a solid mix of old as well as new songs from his latest album, The Magic Position, pleasing the eager audience and especially the front row, which consisted of sparkling, Wolf-worshipping youngsters who brought sunflowers, streamers, glitter and bubbles to add magic to the already enchanting concert.

Despite being a performer for some time now, Wolf is an awkward young man on stage. But it's his awkwardness that makes him so loveable. It's not as if he's unsure of himself, it's that he tells ecstasy-taking douchebags to stop ruining the show for everyone else and throws out questions such as, "What is our generation anyway?" and "So, you think taking my clothes off is more glamorous because I'm European?" (This, after members of the audience encouraged him to strip off his mesh shirt and cut-off jean shorts.)

It's likely this encouragement that kept Wolf coming back to the stage. After a shower of flowers, rainbow-coloured ribbons and wild dancing to show closer "The Magic Position," Wolf and his band (made up of a cellist, violinist, drummer and programmer) frolicked back for two encores. The final song was fan fave "Bloodbeat," which turned into a freestyle '90s dance party with Wolf leading the audience in song to "Saturday Night," "Scatman" and Gina G's "Ooh Aah ... Just A Little Bit."

At the end of the night, it felt as though everyone had suddenly snapped out of a spell and would do anything to fall back under it again.

The End.