Scissor Sisters: Where All Is Bright and Gay

Tuesday night's Scissor Sisters show was an absolutely incredible sight to behold. The Showbox didn't feel like part of Seattle at all, transformed into den of debauchery, glamorous but with slightly sleazy undertone. The sort of place to feature both marble floors and gloryholes. It was the holistic experience that most shows strive to be, with a charismatic headliner, amazing sound, and a crowd as flamboyant and energetic as the performers on stage.

As good as Scissor Sisters was to watch, the crowd made this show. They owned this show. They worked this show. Singing along to every song, dancing to the faster numbers, swaying to the slower, and reacting to every bit of stage banter. They certainly came dressed for the occasion, with no shortage of makeup, vibrant colors, and perfectly coiffed hair (seriously, the Vain demographic was in full force). No offense to the ladies in the audience, but damn, the boys were far prettier than the girls, pulling out all the stops. Seattlest, while not exactly looking sloppy, felt a bit intimidated by not showing up in anything fancier than jeans and a t-shirt (a damn fine t-shirt, but still...).

Onstage, Scissor Sisters dandied and fopped around the stage, with Jake Shears bounding this way and that in an shimmering vinyl ensemble, looking straight out of either the Studio 54 heyday or the NYC club kids scene. Ana Matronic was equally vibrant in a flowing gown, occasionally pointing out the dance and fashion successes she observed from the stage. The rest of the band was a bit more subdued, but that is definitely a relative statement.

It took a song or two for the crowd to get warmed up, but "Tits on the Radio" turned up the show's energy, which set the tone for the night. They had the crowd in the palm of their hands after that, using songs as knobs to control the room's energy level and ensure it didn't peak too early. That was hardly a concern however, as they closed out the show on the highest of notes, with an encore featuring a costume change, a vagina-decorated birthday cake for Jake, and crowdpleasers "I Don't Feel Like Dancing" and "Filthy/Gorgeous." They earned every bit of applause they received, and considering the energy in the room and the glances being exchanged around the room, we're sure they were thanked later as people "came together" with their new friends.

Image from flickr user maus