(#20) — WURST’s full performance at World Bodypainting Festival, Klagenfurt, July 2019
I kicked off Leo Sigh’s Conchita WURST’s Top 40 Best Live Performances in early August with a performance of ‘Pure‘ he gave at #40.
That performance was at the World Bodypainting Festival in Klagenfurt, Austria in July and, while it was a standout piece, it was also part of a full set of songs he sang. A set I am now including on the Top 40 list in its entirety.
Because at various live performances over the late spring and early summer this year, Tom Neuwirth worked on perfecting WURST — his new stage persona, and a persona far different than Conchita Wurst.
Some WURST performances were shaky from start to finish, others were strong in parts but not in others, but this concert in Klagenfurt was really the first one he had given up to this point where he was solid throughout.
It’s interesting to watch Tom Neuwirth as he works his way from being Conchita Wurst on stage to becoming WURST.
Because you would think being the same person, even if he is wearing different clothes and performing a different music genre, his live performances would be the same.
Interestingly, they’re not.
Because, after more than four years in the limelight as Conchita, he had her nailed down pretty well. That meant, when you went to a Conchita concert, you knew what to expect and she delivered it 100 percent of the time.
Especially vocally.
As WURST, however, things are different.
Yes, he certainly has the same vocal abilities but, what happened with Tom Neuwirth as WURST the electro pop singer before this Klagenfurt performance is that some of those vocal abilities had to be worked on even harder.
Especially as there is a fair amount of falsetto work in his new music that didn’t appear as much when he was Conchita.
Falsetto moments paired with new songs that are more difficult to sing, as well as less confidence initially as WURST than he had as Conchita.
And that all meant, in most of his earlier performances as WURST, his performances were off kilter a little bit.
Not surprising though, as he has gone from Conchita all armored up in her wig, make-up, stunning gowns and high heels to WURST stripped down (literally) to the most basic of costumes,minus the wig, and with more of his anatomy on display than it has been for the last five years.
And I would guess, at first, being so exposed after being Conchita for so long must have been unnerving. After all, as a very private person, he has hidden himself behind Conchita for most of his 20s and on into age 30.
Nowadays, however, as WURST he is up front and center and, even though as an artist he obviously felt that’s what he needed to do, I’m sure it was somewhat frightening at first.
Note: You will find #40 to #21 on my Conchita WURST’s Top 40 Best Live Performances list here
WURST’s performance at World Bodypainting Festival in Klagenfurt
Which is why the full WURST performance at World Bodypainting Festival is such a good one.
Because Tom Neuwirth has finally gotten into his groove with WURST, he sings some of Conchita’s best songs as well and his vocals are consistently superb throughout.
As is his confident, relaxed, high-energy and very powerful stage presence here.
Watch WURST performing at the World Bodypainting Festival in the videos above and below.
Note: You will find #40 to #21 on my Conchita WURST’s Top 40 Best Live Performances list here