Perfume Genius
Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
10.25.14
Seattle’s very own Perfume Genius took hold of the Neptune Theatre on Saturday, turning a cold and blustery night into a calm haven of synth keyboards and mesmerizing vocals. Mike Hadreas, known by his stage name Perfume Genius, moved from New York to Everett six years ago to be with his mother. Since then, he has released three albums, the most recent, Too Bright, released last month. He has found quite a following, as the house began to pack as his set time drew near. People clawed their way to the front, eager to find a good view. The darkened Neptune seemed more intimate against the harsh outside, and the low lights highlighted a young man that was adept at carving his own path.
Beginning promptly at 10:00, the deceivingly slow start to his set belied the depth and anxiety that is the lifeblood of his voice. Perfume Genius donned a black suit, later ditching the blazer in the heat. His two other touring musicians, playing synth and guitar, wore mostly black as well, and occupied the sides of the stage. Under the spotlight, Perfume Genius robbed the stage with howling vocals and a mystifyingly quiet demeanor. There’s more to this man than meets the eye. Cheers and clapping aside, everyone waits anxiously to see the next step in his musical evolution.
Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini
Perfume Genius
