Perfume Genius @ The Caves, Edinburgh, 23 November

When Perfume Genius – the stage name of Seattle-based solo artist Mike Hadreas – unclips his microphone from its stand, you know he means business. Ducking and weaving, lacing and tugging the lead through his hands, as the track builds in intensity his painfully expressive face winces in complete absorption. The lofty, domed ceiling of The Caves, twinkling lights dancing off the bare stone walls, feels almost like an altar: the crowd are transfixed, held redemptive, wholly lost in swelling keys and Hadreas’ inimitable vocal talent.  

Accompanied by his three-piece touring band, the show stretches well over an hour – although you wouldn’t have known it. Feeling a little like An Evening With… Perfume Genius, we’re treated to a broad, fan-favourite-led set list that touches on all three albums, but perfectly showcases the confidence and assertion found on newest release Too Bright. Hadreas is known to be reserved, but cracks jokes increasingly as it becomes clear that the audience are totally, completely, sitting in the palm of his hand. 

The finger-click opening of Fool receives instant whoops, and Hood – left late in the long set – is deeply felt, visibly moving. Older tracks like Mr Peterson and Learning (which demands an impressive feat of dual piano-playing) are particularly enthusiastically received, but latest single Queen is a triumphant closer. The ‘oomphs’ hit home as Hadreas whirls and spits, 'no family is safe / as I sashay.'

The multiplicitous voices on Grid, currently replicated live by a backing track, indicate a direction it would be fantastic to see Perfume Genius explore: one day, we hope we’ll see Hadreas holding court in front of a full choir and orchestra. The intimacy of a venue like The Caves is perfectly suited to Perfume Genius’ inherent vulnerability, but this special, newly-found strut is more than capable of captivating on a truly grand scale. [Katie Hawthorne]