Lisa Scott-Lee’s Solo Mighty Hoopla Triumph5 min read

It’s an obscenely scrumptious time to be a Little Scott-Leester.

Again in February, in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of her Prime 10-charting 2003 debut solo single “These days,” the legendary Lisa Scott-Lee introduced a reissue her still-incredible solo debut By no means Or Now popping out later this summer season, within the type of the Unleashed deluxe version (the unique title of the document!), that includes B-sides, remixes and never-before-heard tracks. (I actually opted for the “Rush” bundle.)

In true Completely Scott-Lee trend, that album confronted a, nicely, turbulent takeoff in 2007 as a result of a collection of delays, leading to a staggered launch schedule throughout numerous territories. However it did arrive ultimately. By no means or Now, certainly!

To rejoice the upcoming reissue, Lisa’s additionally hitting the highway with a string of Delight performances. On Sunday (June 4), she kicked issues off with a solo set at Mighty Hoopla, which I can now safely declare to be Britain’s greatest, most gayest pop music competition.

I flew over for the competition – Lisa being an enormous issue within the resolution, in fact – and captured nearly as a lot footage as my arms may naked to face being hoisted within the air.

It was, in a phrase, electrical.

The efficiency kicked off with an appropriately ecstatic introduction by Drag Race UK Season 4 finalist Jonbers Blonde, who declared: “I’ve waited a very long time to see this album dwell, and I’m so excited. Are you prepared? Please give it up for the icon that’s – let’s get electrical – it’s Lisa Scott-Lee!”

With a customized bejeweled Mighty Hoopla hat on head, Lisa victoriously marched out after a Lisa Scott-Lee Delight flag appeared on the backdrop (which is now the one Delight flag that’s globally acknowledged, to make sure), and declared: “Mighty Hoopla, give me a scream!”

Scream.

She instantly launched into “These days” and powered by “Too Far Gone” earlier than shouting out “the Queen of Pop, Kylie Minogue…padam padam” with “Higher the Satan You Know,” as lined by Steps, later paying tribute to the LGBTs with a canopy of Bryan Adams‘ “Heaven” (which, in fact, morphed into the DJ Sammy dance model), adopted by some “Stomp” for the locals, “Electrical” (a gag!) and, in fact, a bit “Tragedy.”

“I’m Lisa Scott-Lee, your Queen of Huns!” she signed off, extremely. And identical to that, it was throughout.

We received the total Scott-Lee Expertise in a decent half-hour set: dancers, choreography, vocals, visuals…even a fast Ru-veal and costume change, plus loads of between-song banter. There have been guarantees of latest music to return too: she instructed the group she’d been within the studio with Neon Nights icon Ian Masterson, in addition to extra to return with Steps.

Other than selfishly needing a bit extra solo Lisa thrown into the set – “Again in Time” would have been pretty, “U Positive Do” and “Get It On” may have made sense, too…okay, and “Boy on the Dance Flooring” – it was the whole lot I may have needed from a LSL solo set. (And, being as we’re previous buddies at this level, we briefly caught up backstage. “Contact me, I’m electrical,” fairly actually. Full story time on that on subsequent week’s podcast.)

Actually, it was such a joyous, camp-as-tits thrill. There was an actual “the one’s who get it, get it” vitality emanating from the entrance of the group, the place we planted ourselves about 20 minutes earlier than her set time. I received to satisfy so many pretty individuals whom I’ve solely identified nearly throughout boards and tweets over the many years, all bonded by a love of pop music – no matter how area of interest – and genuinely very excited to be there.

And for her first solo dwell efficiency in years, Lisa held it down completely nicely on her personal, and he or she appeared genuinely touched by the love and assist. I’m excited to observe her deliver the set out on the different festivals, too.

As a shock post-Mighty Hoopla deal with, Lisa additionally unleashed her beforehand unreleased collaboration with digital producer Chicane, “Burnt Out and Falling” – an acceptable tune title for 4 days in London with little to no sleep – which is out now on streaming.

It additionally has fairly a prolonged historical past behind-the-scenes: Lisa confirmed she co-wrote it with Chicane for Steps initially, and a model later recorded by none aside from Emma “Child Spice” Bunton floated round at one level. (Talking of pop bandmates who must get their albums on streaming…) By 2016, she was poking round looking for the observe, because it’d been misplaced within the pre-social media shuffle through the years. Over 20 years later, it’s lastly right here.

The luxurious and beautiful observe is vaguely Minogue-ian in sound and elegance, and looks like a misplaced early ’00s Euro dance ground filler…as a result of it’s. Ibiza 2001, right here we come!

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