Perfume Genius Unveils The Lesson: Music & Dance Tour 2027

Perfume Genius—aka Mike Hadreas—has announced The Lesson, a live music and dance performance created with choreographer Kate Wallich. The project, inspired by Elfriede Jelinek’s novel The Piano Teacher and its Michael Haneke film adaptation, will tour North America and Europe in early 2027, beginning with a three-night run at Los Angeles’ REDCAT on February 18. A new single, “Natural High,” serves as the first taste of the show’s original score, marking Hadreas’ first release since his 2025 album Glory.

A Bold Fusion of Music and Movement

The Lesson is the second collaboration between Perfume Genius and Wallich, following their 2019 performance The Sun Still Burns Here. That earlier work, which blended Hadreas’ experimental pop with Wallich’s choreography, laid the groundwork for this new project. Commissioned by Seattle Theatre Group, The Lesson explores themes of desire, restraint, and the tension between societal expectations and personal freedom—concepts central to Jelinek’s The Piano Teacher.

Hadreas and Wallich describe the performance as a “lawless and dreamlike” experience, where music and movement merge in real time. “I’ve always thought of my albums as soundtracks to films that do not exist,” Hadreas said. “There is a freedom to inhabiting something imagined and purely sonic. That doesn’t change when creating a performance with Kate—all the mystery and thrill stays intact, but I’m not alone in building the world, and it literally fleshes out in real time.”

The Music: “Natural High” and Beyond

The newly released single “Natural High” is a six-minute epic that shifts from eerie, sparse piano to a driving, house-infused climax. Co-produced with Pascal Stevenson of Fashion Club, the track showcases Hadreas’ ability to blend haunting vocals with dynamic, genre-defying arrangements. It’s a departure from the intimate indie pop of his earlier work, leaning into a more immersive, theatrical sound.

While “Natural High” is the first official release from The Lesson, press materials hint at more new music to come in 2027. Fans of Perfume Genius’ 2022 album Ugly Season—which emerged from his previous collaboration with Wallich—will recognize the potential for The Lesson to evolve into a full-length release.

Tour Dates and Venues

The Lesson will visit major cities across North America and Europe, with performances in intimate, artistically significant venues. Highlights include: - Los Angeles, CA: REDCAT (February 18–20, 25–27) - New York, NY: Baryshnikov Arts Center (March 4–6) - Paris, France: Philharmonie de Paris (March 17–18) - London, UK: Barbican Centre (March 21) - Utrecht, Netherlands: Birds of Paradise Festival (March 24) - Dublin, Ireland: National Concert Hall (March 27) - Minneapolis, MN: Liquid Music / Northrop (April 1) - Seattle, WA: The 5th Avenue Theatre (April 9)

A work-in-progress showing will take place at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA, on February 6, offering a preview of the evolving performance.

What to Expect as an Audience Member

The Lesson promises to be an immersive experience, blending live music, contemporary dance, and theatrical storytelling. Fans should prepare for a show that challenges conventions, with Hadreas’ evocative compositions serving as the backbone for Wallich’s choreography. The performance is designed to feel spontaneous, with the artists embracing the unpredictability of live collaboration.

Given the project’s literary and cinematic inspiration, attendees can also expect a narrative depth that sets The Lesson apart from traditional concerts. The themes of The Piano Teacher—power dynamics, repression, and catharsis—will likely manifest in both the music and movement, creating a visceral and thought-provoking experience.

How to Get Tickets

Tickets for The Lesson are available through the venues’ official websites. Links to each venue can be found on Perfume Genius’ official site. Given the limited number of performances and the intimate nature of the venues, early booking is recommended for fans eager to secure a spot.