Perfume Genius: much of the latter at the Roxy

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There were moments during Perfume Genius‘ show at the Roxy Theatre on Sunday night where you could hear a deep breath, or the click of a camera shutter 15 feet away, because everyone in the near-packed house was silent and mesmerized.

Backed by band members on guitar/bass, keys/synth, and drums/percussion, Mike Hadreas and company played nearly 20 songs culled from his three studio albums and beyond, transforming the material with added radiance and subtlety in a live setting. The delicate and haunting early material, especially from 2012’s “Put Your Back N 2 It,” felt grander and more textured. “Hood” shined with a delicate beauty, “Floating Spit” captivated with a moody shimmer, and “17” gushed with such wonderful torment.

The intimacy of the venue added to the stunning performance, and Hadreas’ lyrics landed even harder in person. Be it softly whispering them in your ear as a hope on the hushed “Sister Song” or belting them out at you like he was possessed on the aggressive “Grid,” he commanded your attention and held it. He switched positions between his keyboard and on his feet, often opting to slink around the stage or sing seated with his eyes closed, dressed in a black sheer-stripped sweater and pants, with his red lipstick matching his nail polish.

On “All Waters,” as he sang, “When I can take your hand / On any crowded street,” then went falsetto for, “And hold you close to me / With no hesitating,” we were all transfixed. And when he sang the most beloved line from his new album “Too Bright,” off its single and the main-set closer “Queen” – the sultry “No family is safe / When I sashay” – the crowd sashayed with him.

Matteah Baim opened the night with some of her dreamy and atmospheric rock, complemented by another guitarist sans percussion. The style and number of Grindr apps in evidence between bands highlighted one big chunk of the younger audience, who periodically shouted, “He’s perfect!” and “We love you!” during Perfume Genius’ set.