Advertise on podcast: Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives

Jake Shears is joined by David Austin and Chris Porter to look back at George Michael’s Faith era and the friendship behind it. They share memories of George’s early love of Elton John and Queen, Wham!’s breakthrough on Top of the Pops, and the making and live performances of Faith. The conversation also touches on George’s evolving sound and image, his sexuality, and how their friendship changed over the years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Queer the Music continues with Horse Meat Disco co-founder Luke Howard. Joining Jake Shears, he reflects on the beginnings of the legendary London club night, its journey from a Sunday party at The Eagle in Vauxhall to a global queer institution, and more than two decades spent bringing people together on the dance floor. The pair also discuss Luke’s early experiences of queer nightlife in Sheffield and London, coming of age during the AIDS crisis, the DJs and clubs that shaped him, and the enduring power of disco, chosen family and finding your people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Shears is joined by journalist and author Ian Wade to discuss his book 1984: The Year Pop Went Queer and explore how one remarkable year became a turning point for queer visibility in pop. From the shock and sexuality of Frankie Goes to Hollywood and the radical visibility of Bronski Beat, to Madonna, Divine and the gay club culture breaking into the charts, they unpack a moment when queer music was reshaping the mainstream. They also look at how far queer representation in music has come since 1984, what has changed and why visibility still matters today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Shears is joined by artist, songwriter and performer Tom Rasmussen for a wide-ranging conversation on music, identity and finding freedom through creativity. Together, they look back on Tom’s journey from growing up in Lancashire to finding queer community through drag, as well as the artists who shaped them along the way, from Madonna and Celine Dion to Goldfrapp and Bronski Beat. The episode also looks ahead to Tom’s new album, Make a Fist, a bold electronic record centred on visibility, desire, resistance and self-expression. Tom reflects on the experiences that shaped the record, the evolution of their identity as a performer, and why being different can be an enviable position. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with Tony, Grammy and Emmy-winning actor and musician Ben Platt. In conversation with Jake Shears, Platt discusses the freedom of playing a queer character on stage in Midnight at the Never Get, his lifelong relationship with musical theatre and why performing live remains the place he feels most at home. He also reflects on bringing his sexuality openly into his songwriting, his marriage to fellow performer Noah Galvin and the importance of queer audiences seeing their own relationships represented in music. Elsewhere, Platt opens up about the uncertain future of theatre and independent filmmaking, the extraordinary long-term process behind Richard Linklater’s Merrily We Roll Along, and the lasting impact of his late friend and mentor Gavin Creel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In This episode of Queer The Music, Jake Shears is joined by author and cultural critic Barry Walters to explore the queer history of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground. Together, they discuss Andy Warhol’s radical New York underground, the influence of David Bowie, and theidentities and subcultures that helped reshape rock ’n’ roll. From ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ to ‘Perfect Day’, Walters and Shears unpack thequeerness at the heart of Reed’s work, how it became obscured from his legacy, and why his music continues to resonate with new generations today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with Jehnny Beth. She and Jake Shears discuss her journey from discovering Bowie and Patti Smith to forming Savages, finding her voice as an artist and embracing her bisexuality. The episode explores sobriety, identity, depression and the challenges that followed Savages, alongside her solo career, collaborations and move into acting, including her role in Anatomy of a Fall. Beth also reflects on creativity, collaboration and what it means to keep making art on your own terms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme. In this special extended edition, he and Shears discuss everything from their shared love of The Cramps to vulnerability, masculinity and outlier status in rock music. Homme also reflects on growing up alongside his gay brother and how this shaped his rejection of homophobia and bigotry. The episode notably explores the queer spirit behind Queens of the Stone Age, with Homme revealing that even the band’s name was deliberately chosen to challenge the overt machismo of rock culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with acclaimed pop sensation Meek for a frank and riotous conversation with Jake Shears about finding your voice, trusting your instincts and refusing to write by anyone else’s rules. Meek opens up about the brutal realities of years spent songwriting for other artists, from international writing camps and major cuts to the frustration of seeing deeply personal songs disappear onto albums. Shears and Meek also dig into the creative chemistry behind a great writing session, the importance of having fun, and why authenticity is ultimately the most powerful songwriting tool. From performing to a hairbrush as a kid to discovering her own musical identity through a gloriously eclectic mix of pop, punk and rock, Meek’s story is one of persistence, defiance and finally being heard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with acclaimed writer Jeremy Atherton Lin. Joining Jake Shears, the author of Gay Bar: Why We Went Out and Deep House explores the history and evolution of LGBTQ+ nightlife, reflecting on the cultural importance of queer spaces, the changing nature of community, and how music has soundtracked identity, activism, desire, and belonging. Together, they discuss everything from London's disappearing gay bars and club culture to dating apps, generational shifts, and why the messy, unpredictable magic of queer nightlife still matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with singer-songwriter David McAlmont. Joining Jake Shears, he reflects on breaking through with McAlmont & Butler’s iconic hit Yes, navigating Britpop as an openly queer Black artist, and the industry pressures to hide his identity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Queer the Music we have indie rock darling Baby Queen. Joining Jake Shears, she reflects on the creative and personal journey behind her deeply honest new album, I Hope You Don’t Remember Me. They get deep on topics such as ego, rejection, therapy, queer identity and the pressure of life in the music industry. She also talks about how stepping away from expectations helped her rediscover her voice and create her most personal record yet. It’s a great episode, be sure to tune in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Queer the Music we’re featuring DJ, promoter and nightlife icon Jodie Harsh. Joining Jake, she traces her journey from sneaking into London’s legendary gay clubs as a teenager to building one of the capital’s biggest queer parties. Together they discuss drag, addiction, sobriety, the evolution of queer club culture, and why creating spaces for joy has never been more important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Queer the Music continues with Swedish pop trailblazer Tove Lo. Joining Jake Shears, she reflects on the song that changed everything, Habits (Stay High), the freedom of becoming an independent artist, and her journey from Stockholm songwriter to one of pop’s most fearless voices. The pair also discuss bisexuality, body confidence, queer club culture and the power of radical honesty in songwriting, alongside the making of her bold new album, Strut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Queer The Music launches today in discussion with Placebo’s iconic frontman Brian Molko. In this special, extended edition, he and Shears discuss everything from their mutual love of David Bowie to outlier-status in alternative music and media. The episode also notably marks the 30th anniversary of Placebo’s radical breakout hit, ‘Nancy Boy’. Originally written in reclaim of a slur, ‘Nancy Boy’ explores themes of sexuality, gender and identity: it is now widely regarded as a defiant act of protest that continues to resonate with new audiences today.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.