RUFUS Wainwright was feeling off colour, although you wouldn’t have known it from the soaring a cappella opening version of Candles, which other members of the band gradually joined.

When the lights came up, Rufus was wearing an outfit to frighten the nastiest bug: sparkly slip-ons, Rupert Bear yellow check trousers, red waistcoat and yellow shirt. By the end of the night he was clad in a toga and glitter in the persona of Rufus Apollo.

In between, he and his seven musicians performed a concert that was more rock orientated than sometimes, although there was room for operatic piano outings (an excellent solo rendition of The Art Teacher).

Old favourites such as Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk mingled with songs from his latest, Mark Ronson-produced album, Out Of The Game – the title track of which swept in and out as a nicely upbeat slice of irresistible rock.

The night offered many roots from the rock family tree: Rufus, the son of Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright, stood alongside Teddy Thompson (son of Richard and Linda) and Adam Cohen (son of Leonard; Adam’s sister gave birth to Rufus’s child – “I know, I can’t work that out either”).

Both did opening slots, Teddy later sang a Kate McGarrigle song beautifully, and the charismatic Adam dressed as Cupid as he cavorted in the audience.

A good and very enjoyable night of soaring vocals came to a quiet end.

Only of course it didn’t, as this is Rufus after all, a man for whom the word flamboyant just isn’t up to scratch.

After a long build-up during a fancy-dress version of Old Whore’s Diet, Rufus emerged as Apollo to sing Gay Messiah, surrounded by members of the audience.

Now that was an ending.