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Artwork for Queer the Music

Queer the Music with Jake Shears

Mercury Studios
LGBTQ+ Rights
LGBTQ+ Representation
Queer Culture
LGBTQ+ Community
Queer Identity
Judas Priest
Rob Halford
Take Your Mama
Scissor Sisters
Music Industry
Glacier
Standing In the Way Of Control
Pop Music
Years & Years
Pet Shop Boys
Kinky Boots
Big Freedia
Free Yourself
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
It's a Sin

Jake Shears’ award-winning podcast Queer The Music celebrates the music, artists and cultural moments that have shaped LGBTQ+ lives, also shifting politics, perception and popular culture in plain sight. Each episode, Jake Shears - musician, actor, writer, and all-round trailblazer - invites the viewer in, as he’s joined by those who continue to break ground and soundtrack Pop; from queer pioneers... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes45Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusicMusic Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Queer the Music

Latest Episodes

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 inst... more

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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 Hollywo... more

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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 quee... more

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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 rela... more

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Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Luke Howard
Founder member of Horse Meat Disco, DJ and cultural organizer
Horse Meat Disco
Episode: Horse Meat Disco’s Luke Howard on Queer Nightlife, Disco & Finding Your People | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Ian Wade
Journalist and author of 1984 The Year Pop Went Queer
Author, Journalist
Episode: How Queer Artists Transformed Pop Music in 1984 | Ian Wade | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Tom Rasmussen
Non-binary artist, Lancashire-born singer and songwriter focused on club music for trans audiences
Episode: Why Tom Rasmussen Believes Being Different Is an Enviable Position | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Ben Platt
Actor and musician known for Dear Evan Hansen, Theatre Camp, and theatre/film work
Actor, Musician
Episode: Ben Platt on Love, Queer Life and the Magic of Theatre | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Jehnny Beth
Musician, producer, actor, author
Solo artist; former Savages frontwoman
Episode: Jehnny Beth: “I’m In It For The Long Run” | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Josh Homme
Front man of Queens of the Stone Age and key figure in alternative rock
Queens of the Stone Age
Episode: Why Josh Homme Challenges the Rules of Rock | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Jeremy Atherton Lin
Writer and author of Gay Bar, Why We Went Out, Deep House
Author and cultural historian
Episode: What Happens When Queer Spaces Disappear? | Jeremy Atherton Lin | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
David McAlmont
Singer and songwriter known for McAlmont and Butler
McAlmont and Butler
Episode: How ‘Yes’ Became a Queer Anthem | David McAlmont | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Bella (Baby Queen)
Gen Z rock star from South Africa, album artist of I Hope You Don't Remember Me
Episode: Baby Queen on Ego Death, Therapy & Starting Over | Queer the Music with Jake Shears

Host

Jake Shears
Host of Queer the Music, a musician, actor, writer and prominent LGBTQ+ culture figure.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 364 ratings
  • Found this through Brian Molko

    So thankful to have found this podcast through the chat with Brian Molko - biggest placebo fan ever and couldn’t believe how candid and vulnerable Brian was with Jake, he really knows how to dig deep with his peers instead of all that chatty surface level stuff other pods tend to do with artists. I’m now a devout follower and have loved every ep I’ve heard thus far! xx

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cinderelochka
    United Statesa month ago
  • Jake is giving us a queer home

    Jake is a fantastic host and I’m really grateful that he is doing this grand work of helping us celebrate our culture. Music is so much in the heart of who we are and how we rejoice and celebrate our queerness. Jake creates a safe home for us where we can hear and share these experiences and celebrations. I’m grateful for the work he does and love him for it ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nysseMaister
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Great pod

    Can you do The Who, Queen and Faith No More

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Krishnadfgh
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Love this, love Jake!

    Finally a podcast host who understands how to host! Jake doesn’t hog the mic, doesn’t interrupt and keeps completely away from dramatically trying to steal the limelight. The show is a pleasure to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ptwy8
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Late to the party, but it’s still going!

    I found this after the end of season 2, which has given me a wealth of interviews to listen to. It’s so fantastic! I love learning the layers behind each song and delight in the storytelling of these interviews. Fingers crossed Jake keeps going! I’d love to hear episodes on I’m Coming Out, Lunch by Billie Ellish, Pynk by Janelle Monet, and anything by David Bowie. 🌈💗⚡️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alabama Heather
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate authenticity and depth of conversations
Guests are described as insightful and engaging
Requests for more guests from iconic queer music history
Show is noted for high production quality and thoughtful connections between music and identity
Fans praise the host's interviewing style and warmth

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Horse Meat Disco’s Luke Howard on Queer Nightlife, Disco & Finding Your People | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: What impact did the HIV/AIDS crisis have on the nightlife and your outlook?
It was a terrifying time, with fear and stigma, but music and clubs became a refuge, and activists and communities fought back; DJs and venues provided spaces to connect, resist, and support each other.
Horse Meat Disco’s Luke Howard on Queer Nightlife, Disco & Finding Your People | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: How did you get into DJing and what shaped your approach?
I started DJing in 1990 with a residency, learning from a community of friends and visiting clubs, and I focused on buying records, playing vocal-driven sets, and creating a communal vibe where people could dance and feel seen.
Horse Meat Disco’s Luke Howard on Queer Nightlife, Disco & Finding Your People | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: What was it like when Horse Meat Disco first started at the Eagle?
The opening night was modest, on New Year's Day, but it quickly grew as people left over from New Year's Eve came to the new thing, and the enthusiasm built a sense of magic that carried the early parties forward.
How Queer Artists Transformed Pop Music in 1984 | Ian Wade | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: What gave you the idea to write about 1984 as a pivotal year for queer pop?
Ian Wade explains it started as a love letter to Frankie Goes to Hollywood and grew into a broader exploration of how a mix of political upheaval, visibility of queer artists, and a shift in music industry practices converged to make 1984 a defining moment for pop and LGBTQ+ culture.
Ben Platt on Love, Queer Life and the Magic of Theatre | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: What is your process with creating a new musical, and how does it differ from other projects?
He describes a material-based approach, time and repetition, and the importance of a clear character on the page, plus the benefits of a workshop process to refine and tighten the piece.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Queer the Music

What is Queer the Music about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on deep-dive conversations with musicians, performers, and cultural voices shaping LGBTQ+ music, nightlife, and pop culture. Across episodes, guests share creative processes, personal histories, and the social and political moments that influenced their work, from early club scenes to chart-topping hits. The host steers intimate, candid chats that blend artistry with identity, often touching on visibility, resilience, and longevity in the industry. Notable strengths include guest diversity (from theatre to rock to club culture), thoughtful storytelling, and a tone that balances nostalgia with contemporary relevance, making it a rich resource for listeners who care about music, LGBTQ+ history, and cultural critique. A stand... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Queer the Music?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Queer the Music:

1. Alan Carr's 'Life's a Beach'
2. Like Minded Friends with Tom Allen & Suzi Ruffell
3. Talk ’90s to me
4. Where There's A Will, There's A Wake
5. THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

How many episodes of Queer the Music are there?

Queer the Music launched 3 years ago and published 45 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Queer the Music?

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What guests have appeared on Queer the Music?

Recent guests on Queer the Music include:

1. Luke Howard
2. Ian Wade
3. Tom Rasmussen
4. Ben Platt
5. Jehnny Beth
6. Josh Homme
7. Jeremy Atherton Lin
8. David McAlmont

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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