Scissor Sisters
The O2, London
twenty third Might 2025
To rejoice their twentieth anniversary, Scissor Sisters returned, properly, most of them, to please their London followers with a vibrant, nostalgia-fuelled present. The night was made much more particular by a shock visitor look that added a contact of magic to the evening. Cam Howe slipped into her glitter and disco boots to cowl the occasion for Louder Than Struggle.
“Whereas America was squinting and attempting to work out what we have been, the UK flew us over,” Babydaddy informed the O2 enviornment crowd, at Scissor Sisters’ first London present in 13 years. “The UK adopted us and made us considered one of them. So we needed to thanks for that.”
Again in 2004, the US didn’t know what to make of Scissor Sisters – a queer explosion of color and sass, mixing components of pop, glam rock and disco. The UK, however, embraced it; Scissor Sisters self-titled debut album shot to the No.1 spot, and was topped by Perspective as the best homosexual album of all time.
There was no indicators of rust from Jake Shears, Babydaddy or Del Marquis. Shears was nonetheless capable of nail his trademark falsetto, in the meantime working via numerous costume modifications and sustaining his strutting stage presence— one thing that tends to fall by the wayside when frontmen attain the dreaded 40s. At first, it appeared odd that the sector’s stalls space was crammed with chairs as an alternative of left open for dancing, particularly given Scissor Sisters’ repute for wild reveals. However any considerations of a lacklustre efficiency vanished the second the lights went down, and the social gathering environment was in full swing. “I do know what you’re all considering,” Shears informed the O2. “It’s unbelievable… how little we’ve aged!” And to be trustworthy, it’s laborious to disagree with him.
Ana Matronic, the band’s iconic co-lead, was sadly lacking from the reunion, however Bridget Barkan and Amber Martin – two new additions on vocals – stepped as much as the plate, bringing baggage of persona and bouncing off Shears all through. One line from Martin – a veteran of the stage – completely captured the Scissor Sisters’ mindset: “Regardless of how saggy my face is, or how lopsided my tits are, I’m beautiful!”. Talking of tits, there’s a large inflatable pair of them bouncing round above their heads. The stage is dominated by an unlimited pair of scissors embedded into the bottom, and the Sisters are often joined by a bunch of wierd characters, from dancing gorillas to Tin Man and Dorothy. However you get used to all issues bizarre and wonky and great while you’re at a Scissor Sisters gig.
With it being a celebration of their debut, the Sisters labored via close to sufficient each observe on the groundbreaking early 00’s album. Laura kicked issues off, Mary had the room swaying, and Take Your Mama had dance flooring opening up all through the sector, even again close to the technical space. Singles from Evening Work and Ta-Dah additionally made the lower, such because the smash hit I Don’t Really feel Like Dancing, the anthemic Fireplace with Fireplace, and the disco-infused Any Which Approach.
The spotlight of the evening didn’t arrive till close to the top, when the Sisters launched into Invisible Mild. A single from their third album Evening Work, the observe isn’t essentially considered one of their most well-known, however is fondly remembered for that includes a spoken phrase part by Sir Ian McKellen. When the second arrived, a highlight fell on one spot on the stage, and to the sheer astonishment of all in attendance, the person himself appeared.
Scissor Sisters shied away from being labelled a homosexual band once they first rose to fame, as an alternative wanting their music to do the speaking reasonably than their existence. “It wasn’t about being within the closet in any means,” Babydaddy informed The Unbiased. “We simply needed individuals to grasp there was extra there.” They have been trailblazers, particularly in 2004 when it was much less widespread to search out mainstream artists with such proudly queer aesthetics and lyrical subject material. Sir Ian’s work in the direction of LGBTQ+ equality can’t be overstated – final yr he acquired a Lifetime Achievement award for his many years of campaigning – and so it felt like a profound second to have such icons stand facet by facet on this means.
What actually made this particular, although, was Sir Ian’s supply. Fairly than adopting the calm composure used within the recording, the legendary actor – who celebrated his 86th birthday on Sunday – belted out the strains in a mode extra akin to his “You shall not cross!” line in Lord of the Rings. This made the dance drop that is available in after his strains really feel all of the extra earth-shattering and had the O2 crowd shedding their minds.
Sir Ian hung round for the encore, joined by the West Finish’s Self Esteem (in addition to the gorilla and different characters from earlier on) and a night of pandemonium sadly got here to an in depth. “We’re Scissor Sisters, and so are you”, Shears declared because the band took their remaining bow. This sums up the vibe of a Scissor Sisters gig – everybody’s welcome, so long as you don’t take your self too significantly and are up for a great time. “Who is aware of?” stated Babydaddy of their Unbiased interview, when requested about Matronic probably returning sooner or later, “Possibly there may be some future the place Ana comes again and does stuff too.” It might be superior to see the entire gang reunited once more, however within the meantime, Scissor Sisters are nonetheless a Filthy/Attractive good time.
~
Scissor Sisters might be discovered at their web site.
Phrases and enviornment photograph by Cam Howe
Picture press picture by way of SJM
A Plea From Louder Than Struggle
Louder Than Struggle is run by a small however devoted impartial crew, and we depend on the small sum of money we generate to maintain the positioning working easily. Any cash we do get is just not lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to assume and write, or hungry shareholders. We all know instances are robust, and we wish to proceed bringing you information on probably the most attention-grabbing releases, the most recent gigs and the rest that tickles our fancy. We’re not pushed by revenue, simply pure enthusiasm for a scene that each considered one of us is keen about.
To us, music and tradition are eveything, with out them, our very souls shrivel and die. We don’t cost artists for the publicity we give them and to many, what we do is completely very important. Subscribing to considered one of our paid tiers takes only a minute, and every sign-up makes a huge effect, serving to to maintain the flame of impartial music burning! Please click on the button beneath to assist.
John Robb – Editor in Chief
