Jake Shears at Brooklyn Steel

Shear Entertainment

Former go-go dancer, Scissor Sisters front man and friend of Kylie and immensely talented singer-songwriter Jake Shears released his self-titled solo album in August this year.  While the album has a familiar Scissor Sisters feel, it also has a distinct sound that sets it apart from his earlier discography with the band.  Shears moved to New Orleans in 2015 where, according to Billboard magazine, he started work on the album, “drawing inspiration from the city’s rich musical heritage and swampy ambiance with songs that channeled a bluesy, live-band feel. (All of the tracks were recorded in one take)”.  The result is a fabulous mix of jazz, honky-tonk and rock with some 70s Bee Gees falsettos and Elton John-esque flavor thrown in.  It is also unapologetically camp (see: the video for the lead single Creep City, that showcases Jake in an old-fashioned floral dress and matching hat, or the queer-themed lyrics of Big Bushy Mustache and its accompanying video).  I would expect nothing less from Mr Shears.

Jake’s nationwide Big Bushy Tour brought him to Brooklyn Steel on 2 November. I had seen the Scissor Sisters open for Lady Gaga on her Monster Ball Tour in Boston and then again at Terminal 5 in NYC.  But I was both curious and excited to see Jake perform his solo work (though I did expect some Scissor Sisters tracks too and I was not disappointed).  Opening acts were Ssion (pronounced “shun”), a “creative project” by Cody Critcheloe, that started as a punk band in Kentucky and evolved into a multimedia project, and NYC DJ Sammy Jo, who spun some killer mixes of classic hit songs to keep the party vibe going.

The openers did a good job of getting the crowd warmed up before the always charismatic and energetic Shears bounded onto the stage, in a ringmaster meets Freddie Mercury meets Magic Mike black-and-white ensemble, complete with sparkly bow tie and signature top hat.  The opening song was appropriately Good Friends because the intimate venue and his rapport with audience made you feel as though you and he really are good friends. His energy throughout the show was palpable and infectious and the audience loved every minute.  And just when I was wondering if any clothes were going to come off (like there was any doubt), the pants were ripped off, revealing fishnet stockings and sassy body suit that showed off his perfect peach. 

The setlist for the show was as follows:

Good Friends
I Can’t Decide (a Scissor Sisters song)
Big Bushy Mustache
Ain’t One Thing It’s Another (a brand new song which I loved)
Laura (an early Scissor Sisters song)
Sad Song Backwards (possibly my favourite track from the new album)
Everything I’ll Ever Need (a stunning ballad with the beautiful line: “I sleep with pillows piled around me like a cloud”)
Take Your Mama (the Scissor Sisters song that made me a lifelong fan)
Clothes Off (when the pants did come off!)
S.O.B. (Sex on the Brain)
The Bruiser (my least favourite track)
Palace in the Sky
I Don’t Feel Like Dancing (yasss!)
Tomorrow (from Annie – because we all need a little reminder that the sun will come out tomorrow and things are going to be okay)

Encore (performed in a frumpy frock and flower hat that mirrored the ensemble from the Creep City video)
Creep City
Mississippi Delta (I’m Your Man)

After a difficult period in his personal life, which he spoke about briefly, Jake Shears is back at 40, sounding and looking better than ever.  He seemed genuinely thrilled to be performing in Brooklyn to so many of his adoring fans.  It also made my night to get a response to my Tweet about the show from him (smiley emoticon!):