Entertainment can mean so many things in the music industry. Light shows, multiple numbers one singles, and even and excellent line-up can contribute to an entertaining show. Well, this had none of these things, yet easily found itself in that category.

Rufus Wainwright recently graced Kansas City with his presence and nicely filled the Uptown Theatre on a Saturday night. With this being my not-so-typical style of concert, I had to keep an open mind and allow Rufus to be, well...Rufus. Sitting in the orchestra section really allowed me to be immersed in the demographic that flocks to these shows. With an average age of mid-thirties and mostly everyone there in pairs, it was obvious the appeal that this young fella had. That was an appeal of music that went back to a simpler time and form. Back when music consisted of merely a man and his piano. You remember, before mp3s.

Wainwright’s music pulls from several avenues. But mostly from the avenues of: opera, pianists, and everything in between. Having been described as “popera," you’d automatically assume a large set up with horns, strings and a percussion section for his live show. However this time it was his solo gig, therefore, it was truly a man and his piano (with a guitar every once and awhile).

Right now would be the time I’d list off all his big hits that drove the crowd crazy. But being a first timer, I’m stuck to those that made an impression on me. For songs that sucked you in lyric by lyric and note by note, you had several to choose from. “Beauty Mark” was one of my favorites on that list. I think it was the brutally honest lyrics that did it for me on this one: “I never had it, I never wanted it, I never had your beauty mark.” That and the verse with “Nor did I have the homemade clothes, homemade curtains of the same material” -- honest and humorous. In line with impressionistic songs was “Katonah.” Partly from the intro that Rufus gave, explaining the story behind the song (and the clarification of his lyrics) in which he made sure to point out that he was not burying fellow pop artist Jack Johnson, but rather a first born. This song can also ironically be found on Plague Songs, an album that lists several songs each inspired by a different plague out of the book of Exodus in the Bible. If you felt like you’d had enough “seriousness” in your concert, Rufus made sure to throw in “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk.” With words of wisdom like “Everything it seems I like’s a little bit stronger/a little bit thicker/a little bit harmful for me” that go nicely in line with the general consensus of today’s society. And the little antidote at the end of one verse: “I suggest a reading of ‘a lesson in tightropes’ or ‘surfing your high hopes’ or ‘adios Kansas.’” which definitely roped in a few audience members in this KC venue, who may have drifted. Mix all that together and this jazz-infused song became one of my show favorites.

After roughly 60 minutes, Rufus finished his main set. And for anyone who had seen him before, you knew there would be an encore. And an encore there was. For this he brought back out his sister Lucy Wainwright, who had previously, taken the stage, not only as the opener, but also for a few accompaniments throughout. However this time she would be singing the very popular song “Hallelujah.” This is a song that is so beautiful through its creator Leonard Cohen’s voice, its adequate successor Jeff Buckley’s and naturally Rufus is right in line. You add Lucy’s delicate, young voice and you have a perfect encore.