Attitude Awards 2025: Scissor Sisters announce new music after 13 years as they win this year’s Icon Award
The Icon Award, supported by Virgin Atlantic, recognises acts whose work has had a lasting impact on LGBTQ+ culture and music
By Callum Wells
The Scissor Sisters announced they’re working on new music after a 13 year break as they were honoured with the Icon Award, supported by Virgin Atlantic, at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar.
Held tonight (8 October) at the Roundhouse in London, the trophy was presented by actor and activist Mawaan Rizwan.
The band, consisting of Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis, became icons of the early 2000s with their flamboyant performances and unapologetically queer ethos.
Their last album, Magic Hour, was released in 2012 to critical acclaim. And now they’re returning to the studio for the first time since.
“Scissor Sisters has always been about coming as you are, coming together and celebrating what it means to be human” – Jake Shears
Taking to the stage to accept their award, Shears said, “Fun Fact: we were standing in this very spot on stage at Roundhouse, twelve years ago, where I announced that it would be our last Scissor Sisters concert for the foreseeable future. In hindsight, I probably should have told my band mates first. But you know what, here we are and the most incredible thing coming back together after all these years, is how little we’ve aged. 20 plus years ago, we came over here, some moth-eaten sequin leggings and ad a handful of tunes and immediately felt such excitement for our music and shows. It’s been a place that has made us feel very loved and accepted.
“Ironically the most homophobic thing that’s happened in our career here was Glastonbury putting us against Charlie XCX and Doechii this last summer. But people showed up, they brought their friends, their boyfriends, their kids, their nans! And it reminded us why we do this in the first place. Attitude was always the cooler version of its American counterparts. We felt like we’d really arrived when we got our first cover in 2004. The start of a long relationship with this magazine that has come full circle tonight.
“Kermit the Frog said once: ‘I have a dream too, it’s about singing and dancing and making people happy.’ And in this world full of so much sadness, cruelty, and heartbreak, we believe that that mission is just as good as any. Scissor Sisters has always been about coming as you are, coming together and celebrating what it means to be human.
“We’re back in the studio making new music, so the beginning of the next chapter is well underway” – Shears
“It’s exciting to look back, but even more thrilling to look forward. We’re back in the studio making new music, so the beginning of the next chapter is well underway. We can’t wait to play for you tonight. I hope that we continue to inspire others and those coming after us to create, express themselves freely, and find the joy in not always taking yourself so seriously. We’d like to say thank you to you, Attitude magazine and so many folks here in the UK for
allowing us to do just that. Thank you for this award.”
Known for hits like ‘Take Your Mama’, ‘I Don’t Feel Like Dancin”, and ‘Filthy/Gorgeous’, their influence on pop and dance music continues to resonate today.
The Icon Award, supported by Virgin Atlantic, recognises acts whose work has had a lasting impact on LGBTQ+ culture and music – with the band one of the most important queer acts of the 21st century.
The Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, now in its 14th year, celebrates LGBTQ+ trailblazers and allies across music, TV, film, sport, and beyond. This year’s ceremony brought together stars and supporters from across the entertainment world.
Other winners already announced during tonight’s event include Dannii Minogue, Luke Evans and Tom Allen. Mika and Jamie Laing are hosts.
Order your copy of the Attitude Awards issue now or check out the Attitude app.