Watch Self Esteem and Sir Ian McKellen join Scissor Sisters on stage in London

Scissor Sisters have been joined on stage by Self Esteem and Sir Ian McKellen at a show in London – check out footage below.

• READ MORE: Scissor Sisters on being labelled a “gay band”: “It was rooted in homophobia”

The New York band were playing The O2 Arena in the capital on Friday night (May 23), as part of their reunion tour that has seen them performing their first live shows for 13 years.

As part of the show, they brought out Self Esteem for their classic 2004 single ‘Take Your Mama’, which then segued into a version of George Michael’s ‘Freedom 90’. Self Esteem then rejoined them for the show-closing ‘Music Is The Victim’, also from the group’s 2004 self-titled debut album.

Watch fan-captured footage here:

McKellen also joined the group for a live performance of his fiery spoken-word monologue from ‘Invisible Light’, from 2010’s ‘Night Work’. Watch here:

After the show, the band wrote on Instagram: “It was always going to be special coming back to our spiritual home – made even more so by having a ton of family in the house. From all three Scissor Mamas (Nancy, Freida and Judy) to Scissor brothers, sisters, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins and a whole lot of chosen family who have been there on this journey since day 1.”

“It was a dream come true to have @ianmckellen reprise his legendary Invisible Light monologue and for @selfesteemselfesteem to come bounce around for Take Your Mama,” they added. “Pure magic, thank you.”

UK ARENA TOUR NIGHT 6 – LONDON!!
It was always going to be special coming back to our spiritual home. It was a dream come true to have @IanMcKellen reprise his legendary Invisible Light monologue & for @SELFESTEEM___ to come bounce around for Take Your Mama. Magic, thank you. pic.twitter.com/1WUzVJqmFG

— Scissor Sisters (@scissorsisters) May 24, 2025

Scissor Sisters played: 

‘Laura’ 
‘Better Luck’ 
‘She’s My Man’ 
‘Tits On The Radio’ 
‘I Can’t Decide’ 
‘Lovers In The Backseat’ 
‘Running Out’ 
‘Take Your Mama / Freedom 90’ (with Self Esteem) 
‘Paul McCartney’ 
‘Fire With Fire’ 
‘Mary’ 
‘It Can’t Come Quickly Enough’ 
‘Sex And Violence’ 
‘Any Which Way’ 
‘Comfortably Numb’ 
‘Invisible Light’ (with Ian McKellen) 
‘Let’s Have A Kiki’ 
‘I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’’ 
‘Return To Oz’ 
‘Filthy/Gorgeous’ 
‘Music Is The Victim’ 

Scissor Sisters have four more dates left on their UK tour, playing Leeds on Saturday (May 24), followed by Birmingham, Belfast and finally Dublin on May 28. Find any remaining tickets here.

NME spoke to Jake Shears about the tour last year, where they hinted that special guests would be included at shows. “Oh, there are loads of people that I think it would be really fun to come out and sing with us – this tour is a party for everybody,” Shears said.

“Obviously we really want to have the right people on stage,” Babydaddy continued.  “But we have the opportunity there, and as we get the show together, I’m sure there’s gonna be some fun surprises.”

Shears also recently hinted that he believed a duet between Elton John and Madonna might be on its way after the two pop icons “buried the hatchet” earlier this year.

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