Review: Perfume Genius @ The Lincoln Theater on March 31

On Tuesday, audiences got to play house with Perfume Genius. 

Emerging from stage right, project leader Mike Hadreas and husband and collaborator Alan Wyffels seemed to forget the audience in front of them. They continued a chat from offstage, like a couple moving to the living room after dinner. 

After a moment of tinkering, Hadreas gave a loose greeting — a mixture of gratitude, context, and a tipsy tangent or two. As the first stop on his tour, Hadreas expressed the importance of showing up authentically, hoping to do justice to his vision.

This vision materialized quickly and clearly. A stripped-back duo set performed by the newlyweds; two keyboards and a guitar; swaying, subtle lighting. The concert showcased the beauty in the blueprints of Hadreas’ cinematic, cathartic songs. Everything felt close, intimate, lived in. The couple sat back-to-back for most of the show, yet it felt like they saw each other the whole time. The music was a form of communication, not just expression.

Maybe that’s what stuck with me most. Without being hyperbolic, the performance created a new distinction in my mind for live performance: some shows feel like a conversation, and others like a speech. Hadreas here affected something so human upon the audience, it’s as if he invited us all to hear what had always been behind his music. A flawless rehearsal of what made this all possible.

The show came almost as quickly as it went. I wanted to linger in every song, but time never seemed to permit me the pleasure. However, the novel renditions played here fell into my memory, allowing me to relisten to familiar songs with notes of appreciation from the sentimental show. The slower playing of the groovy and upbeat “On the Floor” and quieter rendition of the powerful “Describe” particularly stood out as I returned to the setlist in the days to follow.

The show might have ended, but the conversation will continue. At least, so long as Hadreas is willing to invite his fans into his home in the harmonies.