Patrick Wolf @ HMV Ritz 26/10/11

I'll be honest, I had never really payed Patrick Wolf much attention. I was always aware of his music but had never delved deep enough to truly get myself hooked, that is until this year when I met someone who had been raving about him, his new album and about his newly announced tour. On the basis that 'it had to be better than sitting in' I went along to his show with an open mind not really knowing what to expect.

As I entered the venue and looked around, it was instantly obvious Patrick has an extremely eclectic fan base, ranging from excited young girls, the hipster types, some laddish types who seemed to have drunk a bit too much and of course the dedicated fans, guarding their place on the barrier. I was to later learn that this was all reflective of Patrick himself and the range of his music. The stage itself is cluttered with every amount of instrument imaginable. You name it, it's there.

As soon as he walks on stage he instantly commands the attention of everyone in the room. 6'5, dressed all in black save a port coloured jacket with his mop of black hair and clutching a ukulele he looks every ounce the mythical folk-like being. He begins the set with an acoustic version of 'Hard Times' which fades into past single 'Time of my Life' wherein he walks along the front row taking the hands of the people he passes whilst looking right into each individual persons eyes. It feels intense but also a warm welcoming - a wordless thank you for coming.


Spot the Wolf?

The lyrics and the songs themselves range from depression and death to love and celebration - Patrick taking each to the maximum level. Highlights of the night are fan favourite 'Tristan', the stunning melancholic 'Bluebells' and new song 'Together' where he stage dives into the crowd to offer hugs, handshakes and dances with fans whilst belting the lyrics 'we can do this so much better, together'. You can really feel the sense of unity. Everyone in the room is on Patrick's side now. He finishes the set with a duo of 'The Magic Position' that gets the whole crowd dancing and newest single 'The City' that receives the biggest sing-a-long of the night. Patrick comes along the front row once more shaking hands with everyone and thanking us personally before jumping back on stage, taking a final bow and exiting the stage.



As I leave the venue I can hear so many whispers of 'oh my god that was amazing' - and I had to agree. It was one of the most enjoyable gigs I had been to in a very long time. I left feeling uplifted, resfreshed and Mr. Wolf had most definitely found a new fan in me.