By Madeline Jones
Perfume Genius (aka Michael Hadreas) returned to Lincoln Theatre on March 31, 2026, for a performance that felt less like a traditional concert and more like an intimate, dimly lit, secret performance. Stripped down to Hadreas’ angelic voice and the quiet – yet essential – presence of his husband and collaborator Alan Wyffels, the evening leaned into a sense of graceful fragility.
The stage set-up was minimal: two seats, two pianos, and low lighting that cast long shadows. Throughout the set, Hadreas alternated between sitting at his piano and standing behind a mic stand at center stage. From the moment he got on stage, Hadreas set a tone that blurred vulnerability with humor, remarking that the night would be filled with banter due to the beta blockers he had just taken. Later, he went on to joke about the visible stain on his shirt from the bread pudding and ice cream he’d eaten earlier.
The duo opened with “AWOL Marine,” which Hadreas noted they were performing live for the first time in a while. They followed with “Perry,” a track off of their debut album, Learning, and “No Front Teeth,” during which Hadreas sang both parts of the duet – and exquisitely.
Before launching into “Valley,” Hadreas remarked that the show should have been labeled “a night with Perfume Genius” as he enters the second half of his life. From there, he introduced “Full On,” one of his favorite songs off of Glory. He followed that up with a series of throwbacks, including “Die 4 You,” “Hood,” and a slowed-down, nearly unrecognizable version of “On the Floor,” which served as a stark contrast from its usual pulsing beat. On “Whole Life” and “Jason” (a personal favorite), Wyffels’ beautiful piano playing was on full display alongside Hadreas’ piercing vocals.
One of the most unexpected joys of the night was getting to see the playful and loving energy between Hadreas and Wyffels. After “Without You,” Wyffels remarked that he kept finding himself finishing Hadreas’ sentences and dancing along as he sang. During “Nothing at All,” the two fought over who got to play the last note, with Wyffels eventually ceding to Hadreas. For “Describe” and “Alan,” Wyffels gave Hadreas the stage, but stood in the wings watching warmly. To close out the set, the two sat side by side to perform “Learning,” with Wyffels mouthing each word in sync with Hadreas.
Everything, from seeing the opener, Dan English, watch Perfume Genius’ set, to the audience to observing as old friends ran into each other and caught up between sets, conveyed the warmth and simple joy of the night. It was raw, occasionally awkward, and deeply affecting. Perfume Genius does not perform at you, but rather lets you quietly into his world.
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