Royal Albert Hall kicks off livestream series with Rufus Wainwright

London’s Royal Albert Hall has announced a new livestream series, Royal Albert Home.

A different performance will be streamed each night from various artists’ homes while the venue is closed to the public.

The first session, featuring Rufus Wainwright, takes place tomorrow, April 9. Other performers include Baxter Dury, Peter Gregson, and Toby Thompson. You can find further performances here.

 

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📣 JUST ANNOUNCED: We are excited to present #RoyalAlbertHome - a programme of exclusive sessions by the world’s most talented artists, streaming from their homes to yours 🏠 More info ➡️ link in bio

Een bericht gedeeld door Royal Albert Home (@royalalberthall) op 8 Apr 2020 om 5:22 (PDT)

“When push comes to shove, the Royal Albert Hall is my favourite venue in the UK. It is the perfect mix of both formal and fun,” Wainwright says. “It is grand and intimate at the same time. Also it is where my mother Kate McGarrigle did her last concert in 2009. I am proud to be one of the first artists to give a Royal Albert Home concert from my home in Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles.”

“I will try to be your “Gay Messiah” in these difficult times, serve you some “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk,” give you hopefully a “Peaceful Afternoon,” maybe pray a little “Agnus Dei,” hold you virtually “In My Arms,” take you to “Sanssouci” in your mind, show you some “Pretty Things,” and make your “Alone Time” uplifting, funny, hilarious, beautiful and bearable,” he says in a press statement.

“In short, I will take you through my repertoire and my life, and preview some of my new material from my upcoming album, Unfollow the Rules, which we are now releasing on 10 July.”

Wainwright also plays one song from his catalogue everyday on his Instagram called Musical Everydays.

Royal Albert Hall closed its doors on March 17, due to COVID-19. It’s the first time since the Blitz that the venue has shuttered. Royal Albert Hall hopes to reopen on May 18.