Rufus Wainwright
Unveils New Concert Recording
Rufus Wainwright: Unfollow The Rules – The Paramour Sessions
Out September 10th
Live Rendition and Video of ‘Peaceful Afternoon’ Out Now
October 2021 UK Tour
Includes The London Palladium 18th & 19th
“Brimming with memorable melodies, swooning arrangements and smart lyrics dreamily sung…”
Uncut 9/10 review
“Unfollow the Rules marks a welcome return to the opulent orchestration of Wainwright’s early albums…It’s good to have him back.”
– THE GUARDIAN (4/5)
“Lush, layered, romantic, passionate, feverish and febrile…Wainwright is the man.”
– FINANCIAL TIMES (4/5)
2x GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has announced the release of an extraordinary new concert recording. Rufus Wainwright: Unfollow The Rules – The Paramour Sessions arrives on vinyl and digital download on Friday, September 10.
Rufus Wainwright: Unfollow The Rules – The Paramour Sessions sees Wainwright performing songs from his GRAMMY® Award-nominated 2020 album, Unfollow The Rules, along with other classic songs from his extraordinary canon, recorded live in a beautiful ballroom at the famed Paramour Mansion in Los Angeles. He’s accompanied by a guitarist, pianist and string quartet. The set list features two previously unreleased songs “Treat A Lady” and “Happy Easter.” Recorded during the first COVID wave, the musicians and producers followed all the safety guidelines to ensure the health of all those involved. The concert – which first premiered last summer in partnership with ALL ARTS, Arte/ZDF and the WNET Group (through which it is nominated for a New York EMMY®) – includes a striking new rendition of Unfollow The Rules’ “Peaceful Afternoon,” which is out now on all DSPs alongside the official music video.
Listen to ‘Peaceful Afternoon (The Paramour Sessions) HERE and watch the video HERE
Currently traveling Europe on a sold out solo concert tour, Wainwright has slated a very busy live schedule through the coming months, including solo headline shows; European performances of Mother, a program of popular and classical songs about mothers and motherhood performed with his sister, Martha Wainwright; U.S. headline dates with Aimee Mann supporting and more dates in the co-headlining alongside José González; and a full band Unfollow The Rules U.K. tour. Additional dates will be announced soon. For complete details and remaining ticket availability, please see rufuswainwright.com/tour.
2021 Tour Dates
October
Weds 6th SOUTHAMPTON, UK, O2 Guildhall
Fri 8th NEWCASTLE, UK, The Tyne Theatre & Opera House *
Sat 9th EDINBURGH, UK, Usher Hall
Sun 10th MANCHESTER, UK, Bridgewater Hall
Tues 12th SHEFFIELD, UK, City Hall
Weds 13th YORK, UK, Barbican
Fri 15th CAMBRIDGE, UK, The Corn Exchange
Sat 16th LIVERPOOL, UK, Olympia
Mon 18th LONDON, UK, The London Palladium
Tues 19th LONDON, UK, The London Palladium
Weds 20th BRIGHTON, UK, Brighton Dome
Fri 22nd SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, UK, Leas Cliffs Pavilion
Sat 23rd EXETER, UK, The Great Hall
Mon 25th BIRMINGHAM, UK, Symphony Hall
Tues 26th OXFORD, UK, New Theatre Oxford
Weds 27th CARDIFF, UK, St. David’s Hall
Praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation. The New York-born, Montreal-raised singer-songwriter has released ten studio albums to date, three DVDs, and three live albums including the GRAMMY®-nominated Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. He has collaborated with artists such as Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Robert Wilson, David Byrne, Boy George, Joni Mitchell, Pet Shop Boys, Heart, Robbie Williams, Jessye Norman, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Sting, and producer Mark Ronson, among many others. Wainwright has written two operas, numerous songs for movies and TV, and is currently working on his first musical.
Last year saw the long awaited release of Wainwright’s first new pop album since 2012, Unfollow The Rules. Produced by Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Paul McCartney, Randy Newman) at a variety of legendary Los Angeles studios, the collection finds Wainwright at the peak of his powers, entering artistic maturity with passion, honesty, and a new-found fearlessness. Unfollow The Rules proved among last year’s most honored releases, earning international critical applause as well as a prestigious GRAMMY® Award nomination for “Best Traditional Pop Album” and Juno Award nod for “Adult Alternative Album of the Year.”