Scissor Sisters @ FestivalHall, Melbourne (26/07/2010)

Tue 27th Jul, 2010 in Gig Reviews

“The last time we were here, Anna Nicole Smith died…” Too right it’s been too long, Scissor Sisters. Last time they were here it was during a career high – they sold out Melbourne’s then Vodafone Arena and brought the show to match the size. More than four year on, new album Night Work seems like it’s taken an age to emerge and with the band’s return to Oz for a headline spot at Splendour, the question going around (followed closely by queries about Jake Sheers’ wardrobe) has been, “have they still got it?”

The answer, in short, is a resounding yes.

The answer, at length, goes something like this…

House lights down and stage lights ablaze, guitarist Del Marquis and bassist Babydaddy were all smiles either side of the stage as the opening chords to Night Work filled a cavernous Festy Hall. The colour and glitzy light show of the stage were something set in motion quickly, and were more than welcoming for Sheers and Ana Matronic. Out came the falsetto, choreography and downright appeal of every band member; the stigma of “new material” apparently nowhere to be seen. If there were any qualms about it, though, the quickly following Laura would have made short work of those, with “come on come ons” booming from every face in the venue. They were off to a very fine start.

Before heading back to the new album and delivering a set that was, admittedly, heavy on the fresh tracks, She’s My Man made an appearance, and Sheers set himself in good stead for the next couple of hours – running to both sides of the stage in his mauled “shirt” to get the crowd right into it all.

This was by no means Sheers’ show though, with Matronic more or less stealing the limelight with a great amount of hairspray and the most suggestive moves one can make with a microphone – oh, not to mention she can damn well sing. Either prowling or strutting about the stage, Matronic delivered solid set additions like Tits On The Radio and the formidable Kiss You Off, whilst ably partnering Sheers in most Night Work tracks, including some robot dance moves for her namesake during Something Like This. She easily proved why she’s one of the coolest women in the business, and speaking of cool – Del Marquis basically oozes the stuff, rocking out like it’s no one’s business.

As Ana Matronic suggested early on, the set was to be set up as though the band were “getting with” the audience – and no one was resisting. Five tracks made it to first base, another five made second (of which, Take Your Mama appeared and proved itself still to me a massive crowd pleaser). Third base came around, and Scissor Sisters did a fine job of demonstrating that the naffest of songs can still be the best anthems – Fire With Fire building into quite a standout of the set with the crowd springing along.

The bigger surprise was the band’s special guest for the evening. A roar of approval quickly spread its way back through the venue as Melbourne’s own Kylie Minogue appeared on stage, nestled comfortably between Sheers and Matronic, to perform Any Which Way with the band. Once the overwhelming crowd noise calmed a little, the song actually sounded pretty darn good with the familiar sounding addition and the highest notes in Sheers’ register.

With Kylie soon gone, the band conceded the only way to follow that up was with irony, and jumped right into I Don’t Feel Like Dancin. Raising the roof, the track could have ended the set in style, but the band still had plenty more up their sleave; Paul McCartney following before Matronic stopped to converse about their new album and how the greatest moments in life are found at night time. Queue Night Life, a final blazing of lights, and the end of the set.

Now, there were obvious additions to follow in the encore, but Scissor Sisters actually had an additional encore up their sleave and returned with Kylie once more to perform Minogue’s All the Lovers. The downtempo addition to the show drifted from its original form into a more country style tune (Matronic giving a little boot scoot towards its end) and provided a nice interlude before the moodier tracks to follow finished things up.

Off they went and back they came, this time with Comfortably Numb and Invisible Light. The latter of the pair was by far a show highlight, with tonnes of reverb percussion in tow to impress a crowd that obviously already loved the track (judging by the collective voice). Finally, it was time to up the bass and get bones shaking for the night’s final song – Filthy/Gorgeous, reworked a little but still just as danceable – throw in a shirtless Sheers and some dress-tearing from Matronic and you’ve got a finale to remember.

Scissor Sisters are the definition of entertainment. Their energy and attitude is hard to rival and they’ve got a fine swag of songs to carry them as well. Sure, they may have downsized from their time of domination and, sure, they may have had plenty of seats left to fill for the night’s show, but for a band to make a Monday night this good, they’ve got to be something to hold on to.

Check out the amazing photos from the show