"I can guess what’s on your minds," Jake Shears informed the O2. "It’s astonishing… how little we’ve aged!" Two decades after their debut album and starting their first tour in 13 years, Scissor Sisters have returned – and they've brought some friends along.
Although they were on a hiatus for more than a decade, the genre-blending New York band hasn’t missed a beat. Shears, in particular, sounded fantastic while managing multiple costume changes and maintaining an energetic stage presence – a feat that can often diminish as frontmen age. Given the upbeat nature of Scissor Sisters' music, it initially seemed unusual to fill the arena's stalls with chairs instead of leaving it open for dancing. However, there was no risk of a lifeless atmosphere, as the crowd of 20,000 was on their feet the moment the lights dimmed.
Celebrating their debut, the Sisters performed nearly every track from their groundbreaking early 2000s album. They kicked off with "Laura," followed by “Mary,” which had the crowd swaying, and “Take Your Mama,” which got even the most lethargic attendees dancing. Hits from Night Work and Ta-Dah were also performed: “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” (of course), the anthemic “Fire with Fire,” and the driving “Invisible Light” (which ended up being the highlight of the night – more on that later).
When it was announced that Ana Matronic, the band’s renowned co-lead, wouldn’t be joining Shears, Babydaddy, and Del Marquis for the reunion, some fans worried the chemistry might fade, but the new members more than compensated for Matronic's absence. Bridget Barkan shared stories from her New York City childhood, while Amber Martin – a seasoned stage vocalist – embodied the carefree spirit of Scissor Sisters: “Regardless of how saggy my face is, or how uneven my breasts are,” she proclaimed, “I am fabulous!”
It's worth mentioning that while Martin declared this, a hilariously lopsided pair of inflatable breasts bounced above her. The strange quickly became commonplace at a Scissor Sisters concert. Visuals for each song included infomercials, exercise videos, and bizarre animations of unrecognizable creatures and demons. At one point, someone appeared on stage wearing what looked like a TV or microwave on their head. The drum kit was situated in the back of a car. The evening offered everything from Wizard of Oz figures to twerking gorillas, all under the watch of the massive pair of scissors embedded in the stage, as if they had crash-landed from an extraterrestrial world.
This imagery felt appropriate, highlighting the impact Scissor Sisters made when they emerged on the music scene in 2004. Their unabashedly queer style—a bold mix of glam rock, pop, and disco—failed to connect with the American audience at first. Fortunately, the UK recognized their brilliance. “While America was puzzled and trying to decipher us, the UK welcomed us with open arms,” Babydaddy told the crowd. “The UK embraced us and made us part of their community.”
As the elaborate setlist neared its peak, Scissor Sisters rewarded the London crowd for their support in an enchanting manner. You’d think there would be no surprises left after all the craziness, but then a spotlight shone on stage, revealing Sir Ian McKellen delivering his spoken-word segment of ‘Invisible Light,’ which sent the O2 into a frenzy. This song, along with their disco-infused rendition of Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb,’ dazzled the audience with stunning strobes and lasers, reminiscent of the NYC nightclubs where Scissor Sisters honed their skills in the early 2000s.
Tin Man and Dorothy danced alongside Gandalf, a gorilla, and West End star Self Esteem, while a monster feasted on a twerking go-go dancer. This was how Scissor Sisters chose to conclude a night of pure enjoyment. “We are Scissor Sisters, and you are too,” Shears announced before blowing a kiss to the crowd. Only time will reveal if the band will retire their platform shoes for good after this reunion, but as an officially inducted Sister, I genuinely hope they do not.
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Words + Inset Photo: Cam Howe
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"I can sense what you're all pondering," Jake Shears said to the O2. "It's amazing... how little we've changed!" Two decades since their first album, and