Rufus Wainwright probably never will be a big pop star – he's too darn musical for that.

In his 95-minute set Saturday at the sold-out Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Wainwright threw in elements of cabaret, country, disco, rock, folk, R&B, gospel, pop, jazz, opera, classical, Broadway, Middle Eastern, Eastern European, tango, Jewish, Jimmy Webb, Judy Garland, Leonard Cohen and ABBA, among others. Wainwright's sound is undefinable, his talent immense.

Some of his songs are hooky but usually too complex in content to be commercial. He's never likely to score a hit tune but he has become a beloved cult figure, who delighted the standing-room-only crowd at the zoo.

A natural showman who reined in his over-the-top temptations, the 39-year-old bi-cultural pianist/guitarist was very chatty, borderline catty (especially about Liza Minnelli dissing his Garland tributes), quite comical and totally charming.

As always, the Canadian/American mentioned his two brief residencies in Minneapolis (and his job at the now-defunct New French Café). He also was quite in the moment, with jokes about the zoo and his sorta brother-in-law and opening act Adam Cohen (to whom he gave his nifty sport jacket because it was the last night of their summer tour).

A special moment was Wainwright (son of Loudon Wainwright and Kate McGarrigle) and Cohen (son of Leonard Cohen) dueting on Leonard's "Chelsea Hotel #2," backed on acoustic guitar by Teddy Thompson (son of Richard and Linda Thompson). Not only was the second generation combination cool but so was the performance, complete with ad libs about sleeping together.

The set was heavy on material from Wainwright's seventh and brand new album, "Out of the Game" – from the opening a cappella gospelly "Candles" to the closing disco-y, ABBA-ish "Bitter Tears." There were eight tunes from "Out of the Game," a few of his old favorites (especially "Cigarettes & Chocolate Milk") plus tributes to Garland ("The Man That Got Away" that truly showcased Wainwright's vocal gifts, including his control, phrasing, range, beauty and power) and to his dad Loudon (featuring the country-like harmonizing with Thompson and backup singer Charysse Blackman, the stand-outs in a talented but not tight band).

In his opening set, Cohen was funny, charming and likable. He showed similarities to his father in his flair for drama and poetry and in his baritone voice (though the son's is more musical). But Cohen, also 39, ultimately came across as the alt-pop Neil Diamond.

Wainwright mentioned that he will be marrying his longtime partner later this month and then returning to the road.

Here is Wainwright's set list from the Minnesota Zoo:

Candles/ Rashida/ Barbara/ Grey Gardens/ April Fools/ The One You Love/ Respectable/ Out of the Game/ Jericho/ Perfect Man/ The Man That Got Away (Judy Garland song)/ One Man Guy (Loudon Wainwright song)/ Art Teacher/ Going to Town/ Montauk/ 14th Street ENCORE Cigarettes & Chocolate Milk/ Chelsea Hotel #2 (Leonard Cohen song performed with Adam Cohen)/ Bitter Tears