Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
In early 2019 the surprise announcement came that Shakespears Sister were getting back together and excitingly recording new music AND with a greatest hits album and tour to follow! Scene Sussex broke the news of the tour and the Brighton date in May 2019. So the long wait to see Shakespears Sister was over. Scene Sussex was there . Come with us and witness Shakespears Sister Ride Again.
Shakespears Sister
Shakespears Sister is a British-Irish/American pop and alternative rock musical act that was formed in 1988 by singer–songwriter Siobhan Fahey, a former member of Bananarama. Based in the United Kingdom, Shakespears Sister was initially a solo act, but by 1989 it had become a duo with the addition of the American musician Marcella Detroit. Together they released two Top 10 albums and a string of Top 40 hits, including the 1992 hit “Stay” which peaked at No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart for eight consecutive weeks. Detroit was sacked from the band in 1993, leaving Fahey as the sole member again until she ended the project in 1996. After working under her own name for some years, Fahey revived the Shakespears Sister name in 2009. In 2019, Fahey and Detroit reunited as Shakespears Sister for a tour and released a single, “All the Queen’s Horses”. And the gig was tonight!
Shakespeares Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I was kind of hoping this was the Twelfth Night of the tour, but no, it was the fourteenth night, oh well! I will leave the puns lined up for another time. Brighton Dome was the destination for Shakespears Sister. We had previewed this show way back early in the year, and now the countdown had hit zero and we were ready. The guys had put out a tweet…
The Band took to the stage to an atmospheric blast of lightning and smoke and it went very purple. The band were welcomed warmly. Then Siobhan and Marcella took to the stage to a huge, and I do mean huge cheer.
Siobhan (vocals/guitar)
dressed in a white rhinestone cowboy outfit topped off with a large hat…
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Marcella Detroit (vocals/guitar/harmonica)
dressed in a purple matching outfit…
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
And so, the Sisters, who were seemingly unstoppable, albeit briefly, ’89 to ’93 are back on the touring circuit hitting the road around the UK, and tonight it was the turn of Brighton at the Dome. We had previewed this show ages ago, but finally here we are, settled and waiting for the guys to turn back the clock and also present some newer material. And credit where credit is due they do have some tasty new almost American flavoured songs which fitted in nicely with the sweeping vistas on the back screen projections.
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I was slightly taken aback to see Marco Pironni on guitars, former guitarist for Adam Ant. I had bumped into Marco many moons ago at some record company do, so it was nice, and most unexpected to see him back on a stage.
Shakespears Sister: The Set
I was able to catch sight of the set list and it looked to be a packed one! Some 20 songs all lined up. They, before I go any further are absolutely fabulous live. The duo charmed their sold out crowd tonight with their stage presence, charisma and sense of mischief and playfulness. That was all topped off with some damn fine songs.
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
For almost 90 minutes, Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit and their extraordinary band do their thing. They kick the set off with Goodbye Cruel World. The next three songs included Heroine’, Dangerous Game and Dirty Mind. Siobhan seemed to just come alive as she was like a whirlwind as she danced on the stage and jumped down into the crowd. She delivers some fine humour and I don’t think she stopped smiling for the entire show.
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Marcella, well, she remains cool, calm and collected for the set. Her vocals are quite remarkable. Solid and on point especially with the higher notes she is known for reaching. I am not giving away ages here, what does count though is quality of what we were witnessing and just how these two totally own their own space, the stage and Shakespears Sister.
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The next section of the set included My 16th Apology, Heaven Is In Your Arms, The Trouble With Andre, Emotional Thing, and C U Next Tuesday. The set moved along nicely, all perfectly put together and I have to say the sound mix was spot on. Some super lighting and thankfully no all encompassing smoke. So kudos to the sound and lighting guys. All The Queen’s Horses, When She Finds You and Black Sky were served up next.
STAY
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Above a photo of Marcella delivering a masterclass, STAY. This was beautifully delivered, and that sound mix I mentioned, took the vocals around the hall giving everyone goose bumps or raising the hairs on their arms. Extraordinary. Time, isn’t it always, was marching on. A check on the time meant we must be heading towards the end of this set. Are We In Love Yet and I Don’t Care were up next.
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
You’re History
A terrific song, always loved You’re History and this was delivered as the end of the set. The set was filled with snippets of chat, some fine humour and the Goths got a shout for this track. But, dear reader, no of course there was more to come…
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
No way was the crowd going to let it end there. A suitable period of time passed allowing the crescendo of applause and shouts of “more” to peak. And the band came back to the stage. Siobhan and Marcella positively bounced back onto the stage. Siobhan said they didn’t want it to end so early tonight as everyone had finally shaken off their colds, it was the last night of the tour – they wanted to keep going and party on with everyone.
Shakespears Sister: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
And Finally…
Two more songs, Catwoman and Hello (Turn Your Radio On) concluded proceedings tonight. My highlights are many tonight, Goodbye Cruel World and You’re History – of course Stay got the big ovation. Odd song switch the set ended with Hello and started with Goodbye, brilliant! The guys left the stage and The Dome was buzzing. Shakespears Sister had generated something special tonight and there was a good, happy feeling as the crowd started to leave.
I so hope they continue. There was a fairly large film crew on site – so hopefully a recorded version of the show may become available. Thank you Shakespeares Sister, that was a dazzling performance.
Keep up to date with Shakespears Sister on the WWW
Thanks to the fine crew at Sonic PR.
We work hard with the artists, promoters, the venues and the crowd to bring you the best photos and reviews across the area. Keep Music LIVE! Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
Please note all original images / video are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists/promoters/venues want copies of the images – or more if available – please just get in touch.
All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2019.
Got an event coming up? Need some gig photography, promo shots, previews or reviews? – please get in touch! See you down the front – come and say “hi!”