Patrick Wolf
Live at Cockpit on Wednesday, 21st February 2007
Patrick Wolf is a young whipper snapper of South London urchin charm. Already about to release his third album (The Magic Position) at the tender age of 23, he's been performing since he was fourteen - his first musical incarnation being with pop-art collective Minty.
Patrick took to the stage with his violin - a mess of broken strings - backed by a variety of other stringed instruments and I have to say, I can't say enough good things about this carrot topped musical maestro. The atmosphere at a usually sweaty Cockpit was lovely - full without being packed or pushy, the bar was easy to get to throughout the show (with cheap drinks offers not going unnoticed) and everybody was actually listening to what was going on on stage.
Having never heard Patrick's music before (although I had heard claims that "Wolfy is a legend" being bandied about of late) I went with high hopes and an open mind and he didn't disappoint. The set was tender and thoughtful during slow songs such as Bluebells but took a sharp left turn towards a much darker vibe during faster numbers, such as his first single released off the new album Accident and Emergency, which had everyone dancing and those in the know singing along.
He has a lovely voice, one which doesn't escape comparison to others in his genre such as Rufus Wainwright, and which carried him through an effortless and truly enjoyable set. He's thoroughly at ease in the limelight - dressing up buccaneer style for the occasion, making light-hearted banter with the crowd and even inviting many of them up on stage during a short encore which left most of them baying for more even after he'd exited stage left.
Despite being there to promote his new album he did manage to slip in a cheeky bit of an Amy Winehouse rendition and a crowd pleasing cover of Kelly Marie's 80s classic "Feels like I'm in Love". All in all a wonderful evening of pop fun and more than a little bit of dancing.
