In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Lestat de Lioncourt stated that those fortunate enough to see him perform live “will understand their life as follows: before The Vampire Lestat and after The Vampire Lestat.”
Having been a fan since reading his novel, The Vampire Lestat, in the early nineties, I felt this sentiment in the depths of my soul upon obtaining a ticket to his one night only show at The Beacon Theatre in New York City. Considering his last time on stage didn’t end well (see The Queen of the Damned), I couldn’t help but worry how things might go down. But I knew one thing for certain: those in attendance would be transformed.
The venue was the perfect setting for a vampire concert with its decadent golden statues and red velvet curtains. The bar offered themed cocktails with names like “Brat Prince” and “The Dark Gift” to keep fans in high spirits, as if we weren’t already dizzy with anticipation. The crowd itself was dressed to the nines in black leather and lace, and I saw many flashes of white fangs leaving me to wonder if there were, in fact, vampires among us. However, my personal favorite look was the simple yet inspired choice of a Savage Garden band tee. Kudos to you, madam.
Now, for the uninitiated, since the release of AMC’s exquisite television series adapting Lestat’s beloved Louis de Pointe du Lac’s novel, Interview with the Vampire, there are numerous rumors circulating out there in the Savage Garden. Given that The Vampire Chronicles have always divided fans on what is truth and what is fiction, the rumor mill claims Lestat has taken possession of Australian actor Sam Reid, who is credited as playing him in the series. Of course, this creates much confusion, but I think the Brat Prince prefers it that way, so we’ll just play along. Regardless, many who have seen the first two seasons believe Sam Reid to be flawless in the role. Why, it’s as if Lestat stepped right off the page! In fact, in interviews Reid often credits the novels and reading them at a young age as his inspiration and approach to the role. How quaint.
Anyway, I digress. At the event, many of the cast and crew were in attendance, including Jacob Anderson, Eric Bogosian, Delainey Hayles, and Assad Zaman. Are they vampires too, or merely actors under Lestat’s thrall? We may never know, but it was obvious they were there to support their Prince.
Next, we were graced with a screening of the first episode of AMC’s latest adaptation, The Vampire Lestat. Yes, after decades of waiting, we finally get to see the tale from Lestat’s point of view and I couldn’t be more excited. Writers Rolin Jones and Hannah Moscovitch—clearly under Lestat’s thrall—have warned there would be a tonal shift this season, and while I thought I knew what that meant, it turns out I was mistaken. Sure, I was in a room full of fans screaming when their favorite vamp came on screen, so I admit I had a hard time hearing and keeping up with the topsy-turvy, fast-paced chaos that is Lestat’s narrative. And that’s precisely what feels so right about it. Like the first two seasons, I look forward to watching it again (and again and again) in the quiet dark of my own home when it premieres on June 7th.
And then, ladies and gentlemen, talk about a shift in tone! The red velvet curtain rose and the band began to play “Long Face.” The crowd was instantly on their feet, which I must note was a thrill as someone who’s attended too many geriatric concerts of late where people sat down the entire time. Then, suddenly, there he was! Sauntering out to the drum beat in all his golden glory and stepping up to the mic. Now, listen, there’s no way this Sam Reid fella can look, act, and sing like that, right? Right?! He can’t possibly be a human male so he must be Lestat. End of argument.
And speaking of arguments, there was a point during the set, in the middle of an unreleased track entitled “Big Bad Wolf,” where Lestat started ranting about Louis and Armand and the discrepancies in not-so-Saint-Louis’ book. (Poor Louis, will he ever get to curl up in coffin with a good book? Outlook not so good.) Fans were also treated to another stunning unreleased track entitled “The Loneliness.” Happily, it appears Lestat and Daniel Hart, who accompanied him on stage playing the Fender Lestrat guitar, have buried the hatchet after many recent disagreements in the press. Lestat even called one of Hart’s guitar solos “perfection.” High praise indeed for a mere mortal.
Of course, being a consummate performer and all out diva, Lestat changed costumes a few times, donning black leather pants that haven’t looked that good on a man since Jim Morrison, a black wolflike coat for the heartbreaking rendition of “Your Biggest Fan,” and a sexy glittery number with a sheer black duster for the beautiful ballad, “Brutal Love” (those paying attention may have caught muse Jacob/Louis singing along). As a farewell, in true Lestat fashion, he congratulated us all on being in such close proximity to him before launching into “Butterscotch Bitch.” He was playful and flirty, and girl, those hips were a-swaying and uh-gyrating. Then he blew us a kiss and he was gone.
Will we see him again? Another uncertainty, I’m afraid, as he has been known to disappear for a century or so. But being at the show felt like stepping through a portal into The Vampire Lestat’s world. Thankfully, no ancient queens arrived to steal him away this time, although I did catch a glimpse of actress Sheila Atim who is playing Akasha in the upcoming series. Perhaps she’s biding her time. Endless patience, that one.
Anyway, whether you believe their true or not, it’s an absolute joy and thrill to be a fan of these stories in all their forms. The creators, from Anne Rice to Rolin Jones and Sam Reid to Daniel Hart have captured something very special that not only encourages a rabid, passionate fanbase, but rewards us repeatedly. I haven’t felt this excited about being part of a fandom since I first read Anne Rice and wandered the streets of New Orleans dressed as Claudia, visiting all the haunts from the books. I’m so grateful she lives on in these stories, and I wish she were still here to watch Lestat speaking and singing her words on stage and screen. He’s done his maker proud.
